SAN FRANCISCO 49ers, Rams need victory Sunday to keep hopes alive

The NFC West showdown loser will have a hard time catching the Seahawks.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
When the St. Louis Rams (1-2) play the 49ers (0-3) Sunday in San Francisco's 3Com Park on ESPN's national game, Niners coach Dennis Erickson agrees that only one team will walk away with hopes of salvaging the 2004 season.
"It's probably good for both of us," said Erickson Tuesday of the renewal of their NFC West Division rivalry. "They're backs are to the wall [too]. We've both got to start winning."
Despite sluggish starts for both teams, Erickson expects the Niners, which are owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, and Rams to be motivated to excel because of the spotlight.
"Sunday night is big in the NFL," the Niners' second-year coach said. "It's a national stage because it's the only game on and that makes the challenge even more motivating."
First shutout since 1977
After two close calls (a two-point loss to the Falcons and a three-point defeat to the Saints in New Orleans), the 49ers were shut out, 34-0, by the Seahawks (3-0) last Sunday in Seattle. It was the franchise's first shutout defeat since 1977.
"We were very close in those first two football games. In this last one we just got beat soundly. We made a lot of mistakes," Erickson said. "We have good character and good leadership on this football team. I see them battling back and competing."
Erickson says the Niners' offense needs a spark and might get it if starting quarterback Tim Rattay can practice today and Thursday.
Rattay, who won two of his three starts last year when Jeff Garcia was unable to play, missed much of training camp with a knee injury. Then the five-year veteran suffered a separated shoulder in the Falcons game.
If Rattay doesn't practice Thursday, backup Ken Dorsey will make his third straight start.
"If Tim's healthy and can play and practice during the week, then he will be our quarterback," Erickson said.
Against the Seahawks, Rattay served as backup quarterback but had to be injected with painkiller. Erickson said his top quarterback will not be allowed to practice under the influence of painkillers.
"He has to have a good week [in order to start] because he hasn't had much playing time," Erickson said.
Sub-par performance
Erickson said Dorsey's performance against the Seahawks wasn't good, "but he wasn't the only one [who struggled]. We couldn't run the ball and that forced us into long yardage situations.
"He started off very good, completing his first three passes, and then all of the sudden he threw a pick and there are a couple of turnovers and it's 17-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter," Erickson said. "Now our game plan has to change a little bit and we have to get rid of the running game. It's just another lesson for him in growing up and being an NFL quarterback."
The Rams opened the season with a 17-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, then lost to the Falcons (34-17) and Saints (28-25 in overtime).
St. Louis coach Mike Martz is under fire because the Rams' pass/ratio in the Saints' loss was 54-15 even though their tailback is Marshall Faulk. Wide receiver Issac Bruce leads the NFL with 25 receptions and 348 yards.
"Mike's not going to change what he does [because of criticism], that's for sure," Erickson said. "He has one heckuva offensive mind and they have great receivers and quarterback [Marc Bulger]. They're awfully explosive when they're throwing the ball."
williams@vindy.com