NFL: Smith's crisp day leads 49ers past Jaguars

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith threw short touchdown passes to Frank Gore and Vernon Davis for a solid outing in a 20-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

It was the kind of mistake-free day San Francisco coach Mike Singletary has sought for weeks.

Joe Nedney kicked field goals of 46 and 27 yards for San Francisco (5-6), which snapped the Jaguars' three-game winning streak and spoiled the Bay Area homecoming of Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio and running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jaguars' loss clinched the AFC South title for the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, who rallied to win at Houston earlier Sunday.

Jones-Drew, a prep star at powerhouse De La Salle High School on the other side of San Francisco Bay, ran for 75 yards to become a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in his career. He is only the second player in franchise history to do it, joining Fred Taylor's seven such efforts. Jones-Drew had his streak of five straight games with a TD run snapped.

San Francisco's defense came up with two fumble recoveries off second-half sacks, including Parys Haralson's hit on David Garrard early in the fourth quarter for a 20-yard loss.

Smith threw for 232 yards with no interceptions and no sacks in his best game since taking over as starter in late October. Gore had seven catches, Josh Morgan and Davis six each and four apiece from Delanie Walker and Michael Crabtree.

Josh Scobee kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Jaguars (6-5), but also missed wide left on a 40-yard try early in the second quarter and his 21-yarder in the fourth hit the left upright. He made a disgusted face afterward.

What is it about these West Coast woes for Jacksonville? The Jaguars lost 41-0 at Seattle on Oct. 11 and never threatened Sunday. This marked the second time in franchise history — also in 2004 — the team played two road games out West.

Garrard completed six of his first seven passes but had little to show for it. Jacksonville managed only six first downs in the first half but wound up outgaining the Niners 357-284. Torry Holt made a reception for the 164th consecutive game and passed Andre Reed to move into 10th place on the career list for yards receiving at 13,226.

For the 49ers, this was just the kind of methodical win Singletary has insisted his team can produce.