NFC WEST Mariucci, 49ers set for Rams rematch

The San Francisco coach feels his team is much better now then in the first meeting.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Steve Mariucci believes the San Francisco 49ers are better now than on Sept. 23 when they lost to the St. Louis Rams.
Sunday, he will discover whether that belief holds true.
In one of the premier games in the NFL this week, the 49ers travel to St. Louis for an NFC West rematch between two of the league's top teams.
"It's what you work for. You love having games like this," said Mariucci, speaking by telephone from the 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. "There's a lot on the line."
Tussle at the top: Namely, first place. Both teams carry 9-2 records into Dome at America's Center at a crucial part of the season.
"They beat us pretty good in the first game," Mariucci said. "The score was close [30-26], but statistically they really dominated in some areas. I'd like to believe we're better than that at this point."
The major difference statistically in the first meeting at 3Com Park came in passing yards (310-116) and third-down conversions (60-31 percent).
Quarterback Kurt Warner tossed three touchdown passes to Jeff Garcia's one and led the Rams back from a 16-12 halftime deficit.
Isaac Bruce caught eight of Warner's passes for 144 yards and a touchdown, and Marshall Faulk ran for 105 yards.
San Francisco, by contrast, didn't have a receiver or running back reach 100 yards, and its defense allowed 425 total yards.
"It's an offense that has been together for three or four years, with a lot of speed and tremendous explosion," Mariucci said of the Rams. "They've improved their defense dramatically.
"They are a better team than they were a year ago," he added. "They've turned the ball over more than they like, but nevertheless they're dangerous."
Mariucci would like to think time has made his team dangerous.
Play-makers: Garcia has been spreading his passes to various receivers, and running back Garrison Hearst appears to be in top form, rushing for 125 yards last week in a 35-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills that raised his season total to 900.
Because of his players' recent performances, Mariucci said the team has "grown statistically" since the first game with St. Louis.
"Now we get to go to their place on a fast track and a loud stadium," Mariucci said. "It's an important game for both teams. I think we're a little better suited."
Maybe a signal of the 49ers' preparation came last Sunday night in their shutout of the struggling Bills.
"We avoided any sort of letdown and looking ahead to the Rams," Mariucci said. "We had to take care of business and not beat ourselves."
With one penalty and no turnovers, the 49ers did just that. Instead, it was their defense that disrupted the Bills, forcing four interceptions and holding them to 29 rushing yards.
"Our secondary, particularly Ahmed Plummer [two interceptions], was in ball hawk mode," Mariucci said.
"It's not easy to get a shutout in the NFL," he added. "Our defense is young but improving every week."
For the 49ers to have a chance this week, their defense must continue its improvement against the Rams.
"This is another hurdle, an obstacle this team needs to overcome," Mariucci said of this week's game. "For this young team, it's a good barometer of where we are in our development."
Notre Dame job: There have been reports of Mariucci being a candidate to succeed coach Bob Davie at Notre Dame. If Mariucci is interested in the job, he's not letting it get in the way of this week's preparation.
"I'm honored that my name has come up," he said, "but as far as a distraction, no. We just stay busy with the job at hand, preparing for the Rams every minute of the day."
richesson@vindy.com