Rams' overhauled 'D' overwhelms 49ers

ST. LOUIS -- The Greatest Show on Earth isn't putting up huge numbers these days, and it doesn't have to.

The St. Louis Rams still have the NFL's No. 1 offense, but the second-rated defense is a bigger reason they have the best record in the conference heading into the final four games. The Rams (10-2) held the San Francisco 49ers, the third-best offense in the league, to a season-worst 220 yards in Sunday's 27-14 victory.

It was just the latest success story for a unit rebuilt from the ashes, with eight new starters. The Rams allowed 471 points last year, seventh-most in league history, and have given up 190 this year.

That huge reduction, from 29 points per game allowed to 16, has more than made up for the Rams' league-leading 35 turnovers. In one game, they knocked the 49ers' Jeff Garcia from second to fifth in passer rating.

Garcia was 13-for-36 with two interceptions and the Rams' defense gave him no time to set up. Aeneas Williams got both of the interceptions and tackle Jeff Zgonina led a line that kept the pressure on.

"The thing that stands out about our defense is the speed, the ability to turn and run with receivers and to force you into your second or third receiver," coach Mike Martz said Monday. "By then, the pocket has been compressed.

"He was never allowed to settle back there and make a throw. He was moving around the whole time."

The 49ers scored 26 points against the Rams in Week 2, with the defensive line emphasizing containing Garcia's scrambles. Middle linebacker London Fletcher said getting in Garcia's face was a point of emphasis in the rematch.

"The first time we didn't really let our defensive line rush the passer, we kind of had them on a leash," Fletcher said. "This time around we had a lot of pressure.

"He's not the tallest quarterback and sometimes if you can get pressure up the middle it can affect the throws he makes."

The Rams had only one sack but countless hurries. And they were able to create havoc against the 49ers, who had won eight of their previous nine, without their best pass rusher. Leonard Little missed his third game with a torn knee ligament Sunday, although he could return in a reduced capacity next Monday at New Orleans.

"We didn't establish much on offense right from the get-go," 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said. "We didn't get the big chunk plays that you've got to have when you need to score a lot of points."

The Rams' defense really puts the pressure on the opposition, even if the offense is off just a bit. St. Louis is scoring 29.8 points per game this year, down from 33.7 last year, and Kurt Warner is among the league leaders with 16 interceptions.

In the last four weeks, the Rams have topped 30 points only once. They scored 24 at New England, 17 against the Bucs and 27, with 385 yards, against the 49ers.

Martz claims not to have noticed the slight drop-off.

"We're trying to win," he said. "Whatever it takes to win."

NOTES: The Rams are closing in on their third straight playoff berth. They'll qualify with three games to spare with a victory or tie at New Orleans. ... Players were given Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off because of the upcoming Monday night game. Martz tried interspersing a day off before the last Monday game, a 24-17 loss to the Bucs on Nov. 26, and didn't like the way it broke continuity, so when they go back to work on Thursday there will be no breaks after that. "This time of year, when you can pick up an extra day's rest, I think it's important that you do that," Martz said. "It was a physical game."