49ers blank Rams

SAN FRANCISCO -- Coach Mike Singletary delivered another one of his motivational halftime speeches and the San Francisco 49ers woke up in a hurry. And in all phases, no less. "It was just a matter of reminding them what was at stake," Singletary said. Like first place in the NFC West. Tight end Vernon Davis caught a 13-yard pass for his third touchdown in two weeks, Patrick Willis returned an interception 23 yards for a score and the 49ers overcame the absence of star running back Frank Gore with a 35-0 rout of the winless St. Louis Rams on Sunday. The 49ers (3-1) scored in every way to take command of the NFC West after already beating reigning division champion Arizona and Seattle, recording their first shutout in 119 games since a 38-0 win at New Orleans on Jan. 6, 2002. "Any day you look up and see a goose egg it's great," Willis said. "We made a step today. People are going to say it's only St. Louis. That doesn't mat...