49ers, Kaepernick trample Titans 31-17

The 49ers won all phases of the game Sunday to pull out a 31-17 victory over the Titans in Nashville.

San Francisco (5-2) took their fourth consecutive game while Tennessee (3-4) lost their third straight.

Frank Gore led the 49ers with 26 touches for 104 total yards and two rushing touchdowns, while Colin Kaepernick completed 13 of 21 passes for 199 yards and rushed 11 times for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Anquan Boldin used his vice grips to haul in five catches for 74 yards and Vernon Davis added four receptions for 62 yards.

Regarding Sunday’s victory head coach Jim Harbaugh said:

“We knew we were going to have to be a physical team today.”

Physical they were.

Vic Fangio’s defense stuffed the Titans running game to just 70 yards, forcing returning starter Jake Locker to air it out. Locker was picked off for the first time this season by Tramaine Brock, who also defensed two passes. Nnamdi Asomugha was inactive for the fourth straight game.

Locker was also sacked three times — twice by Justin Smith and once by Ahmad Brooks — and hit five times.

Despite a groin injury, Patrick Willis led the defense with nine tackles including one for loss.

On the All-Pro’s effort, Harbaugh said:

“There is a standard that Patrick has set.”

Meanwhile, fourth quarter touchdowns passes to Chris Johnson and Delanie Walker along with a Rob Bironas field goal weren’t enough, as punt returner Darius Reynaud muffed a punt after being pressured by gunner Daryl Morris. Kassim Osgood recovered the fumble for a touchdown.

The Titans also committed 10 penalties for 100 yards including a 15-yarder by wide receiver Kenny Britt whose immature shoving antics are obviously just a small part of his many problems and indicative of why he’s on the trading block.

Notes

Glenn Dorsey (hamstring) started at nose tackle despite reports that he wouldn’t play. … Tony Jerod-Eddie and rookie Quinton Dial also subbed in for Dorsey. … Safeties Eric Reid and Dontae Whitner suffered lower leg injuries, but were both walking post-game. … The 49ers scored 30-plus points for the fourth straight game. … Sunday’s victory was the 49ers 500th regular-season win in franchise history. … The 49ers now travel to London to face the Jaguars on Oct. 27.

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