Kaepernick’s big finish defeats Rams

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS

Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers answered St. Louis’ fast start with a big finish.

Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, helping the 49ers erase an early 14-point deficit and beat the Rams 31-17 on Monday night.

Brandon Lloyd, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree each caught a scoring pass for the 49ers (4-2), who have won three in a row.

Ahmad Brooks and Dan Skuta had two sacks apiece for a stifling defense that sacked Austin Davis five times and permitted one first down on St. Louis’ first six possessions of the second half.

“Our receivers did a great job today,” Kaepernick said. “Our offensive line did a great job, protecting us and giving us time.”

Kaepernick found Boldin zipping across the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass, capping a go-ahead 80-yard drive to start the second half. As the Niners were taking the 17-14 lead, several fans in the upper deck unfurled a large banner above the videoboard on the opposite end of the stadium as part of ongoing protests about the Michael Brown shooting in suburban Ferguson in August.

San Francisco then added to its advantage when Kaepernick connected with Crabtree for a 32-yard score with 13 seconds left in the third.

The Rams had one last chance to tie the game, but Dontae Johnson returned an interception 20 yards for the clinching score with 53 seconds to go.