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ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Sam Bradford set an NFL record for completions in a rookie season and his first touchdown pass in four games gave the St. Louis Rams breathing room in a 25-17 victory over the San

Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Rams (7-8) need to win at Seattle next week to clinch their first playoff bid since 2004.

Troy Smith was benched in the fourth quarter of a loss that eliminated the 49ers (5-10) from playoff consideration in the weak NFC West. Smith passed for 356 yards in the 49ers' overtime victory over the Rams last month, but did not play the last two games.

Ted Ginn Jr. scored on a 78-yard punt return for San Francisco, his fourth career touchdown return.

James Hall had 1½ sacks for a defense that sacked Troy Smith three times and Alex Smith once, plus got a safety when Troy Smith fumbled a poor shotgun snap in the end zone.

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