The Brooklyn rapper kicked off the first of three days of the Meadows Music and Arts Festival at Citi Field in Queens, performing a 90-minute set that included his well-known songs as well as political moments.

”I want to dedicate this song to Colin Kaepernick tonight,” Jay-Z said of ”The Story of O.J.,” a song about blackness and managing money that also references O.J. Simpson.

”I want to dedicate this to Dick Gregory. I want to dedicate this song to anyone that was held back and you overcame,” he added about the song from his personal and revealing album, ”4:44.”

Kaepernick became a polarizing figure among NFL fans for his decision to sit, and then kneel, during the national anthem last season to protest police brutality. Gregory, who died last month, was a comedian and activist who broke racial barriers in the 1960s and used his humor to spread messages of social justice and nutritional health.

Jay-Z’s performance, though full of energy and excitement, had some other serious tones.

When the beat for the Kanye West-produced 2003 song ”Lucifer” came on – which samples Max Romeo’s ”Chase the Devil” and includes the lyrics ”Lucifer son of the morning, I’m gonna chase you out of Earth” – Jay-Z told the mostly young audience: ”I promise we won’t take people out of this country.”

Jay-Z also said to the crowd, several times, that ”love always trumps hate.”

At the show, the 47-year-old icon wore a white T-shirt featuring the artwork of the 1965 Beatles film and album, ”Help!” Jay-Z said he wanted to transform the show into rock `n’ roll territory when he played his collaborations with Linkin Park, even paying tribute to the band’s lead singer Chester Bennington, who hanged himself in July.

”If you know this song, I want you to sing it so loud he can hear you in heaven,” Jay-Z said before performing the Grammy-winning mashup ”Numb/Encore,” standing still and holding the microphone close with both of his hands.

Jay-Z’s set also included big hits from his 21-year-old career, from ”Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” to ”Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” to ”Empire State of Mind.” His last main show in New York was part of his 2014 On the Run Tour with Beyonce, though he’s had some performances for his Tidal streaming service and surprise appearances.

Reggae artist Damian Marley joined in for ”Bam” from ”4:44,” which was released in June and features songs about Jay-Z’s personal life and work as an entrepreneur.

The Meadows festival, in its second year, will also play Saturday and Sunday, featuring performers like Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nas, Weezer, Future and LL Cool J across four stages. Migos, Run the Jewels, Two Door Cinema Club and 21 Savage also performed Friday.

Throughout his set, Jay-Z offered concertgoers encouraging words.

”If anybody got a dream, you chase that (dream) with everything you got,” he said at one point.

When one fan was eager for Jay-Z to sign something, the rapper asked if the fan had a pen.

The fan did not.

”How am I going to sign your (stuff) without a pen?” Jay-Z asked.

”Got to be prepared,” he told the fan.

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Online:

Jay-Z’s website: http://lifeandtimes.com/

Meadows festival: https://www.themeadowsnyc.com/

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3:55 p.m.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch would consider bringing back Colin Kaepernick – if the quarterback is interested.

Kaepernick is expected to opt out of his contract before free agency opens next week. But during a meeting this week, which Lynch described as open and transparent, the 49ers made it clear they’d like to have him back.

Under the circumstances, Kaepernick might be the 49ers’ best option.

”Well, I know that we don’t have any (quarterbacks) really under contract. I know Kaepernick is, but just seeing (Wednesday) that he’s going to opt out in a week or whenever that is, we don’t have anybody on our roster,” new coach Kyle Shanahan said. ”So I’ve thrown them into the category of everybody else who are free agents and possibilities going into the draft.”

ESPN also reported Thursday that Kaepernick will stand during the national anthem this season. His agent did not respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment.

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3:40 p.m.

The NFL scouting combine is known as much for the grilling as the drilling of prospective pros.

Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, for instance, says every team he’s met with wondered why he had transferred from Alabama.

He says he told them, ”I just felt like it was the right business decision for me and it worked out.”

Kamara says the biggest surprise so far was all the poking and prodding from the doctors, ”but it’s worth it, I guess.”

The 15-minute interviews with a dozen teams also were draining.

”The craziest question?” Kamara said.

That was easy.

”A guy asked what my drink of choice was.”

And his response?

”Water.”

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3:05 p.m.

Longtime linebacker Chad Greenway is still contemplating his NFL future. The Minnesota Vikings think he’ll make a decision within the next week.

”Obviously he’ll want to get the decision done before the start of free agency,” coach Mike Zimmer said.

Players can start signing with new teams next Thursday.

Greenway spent 10 seasons in Minnesota after being selected in the first round, 17th overall, in 2007 out of Iowa. He made two Pro Bowls and had 18 sacks, 11 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries. He has been a team leader for most of his stay with the Vikings.

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2:45 p.m.

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio both said they enjoyed their time in Mexico City last season.

In fact, Smith was such a big fan of the experience he thinks the NFL should continue playing games south of the border.

”I think the NFL will continue to invest in Mexico City and I think that’s a good thing,” he said.

Del Rio gets another opportunity because the Raiders will host the Patriots there next season.

”We loved the experience going down and playing in that environment,” he said. ”It was a great environment. Look forward to going down again. I would love it if somehow, the commissioner could make sure that every other year we have it as a road game and not always a home game for us. Don’t really look forward to playing nine road games and seven home games, so other than that, though, it was a tremendous experience and look forward to going down there and embracing it.”

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1:25 p.m.

Del Rio is a happier man now that he has a new contract.

Three weeks ago, team owner Mark Davis rewarded the coach for the team’s playoff run by tearing up the original contract and giving him a four-year deal that seemed more commensurate with Del Rio’s experience.

On Thursday, Del Rio said he appreciated the gesture – especially since the original deal wasn’t ”a very good contract to start with.”

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12:25 p.m.

Take it from someone who’s done it, John Elway predicts John Lynch will go from superstar on the playing field to successful front office man.

Maybe it’s the Stanford smarts.

Said Elway: ”John’s a very bright guy. He knows football and ultimately that’s what that position is about. He’s got a lot to learn administratively and the rules that go along with that but John’s smart to know what he doesn’t know.”

Once Lynch gets familiar with the ins and outs of his new job as 49ers general manager, Elway thinks Lynch will ”do very, very well.”

Elway also endorsed Adam Peters, the 49ers’ new vice president of player personnel who was plucked from the Broncos’ personnel department. Elway called Peters a ”hard worker and a great talent evaluator” whom he didn’t want to lose but was glad to see get this opportunity alongside Lynch.

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12:10 p.m.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn has sifted through the wreckage of his team’s Super Bowl collapse, and found some good in it.

He thinks the monumental loss to New England, in which Atlanta blew a 25-point lead, can serve as an inspiration for the Falcons to come back even stronger next season.

Historically, that hasn’t happened.

It’s been 45 years since the Dallas Cowboys first went from Super Bowl loser to champion. The Miami Dolphins did it the next season, too. No other team has successfully done it.

In fact, the last time a runner-up played in the next Super Bowl was when Buffalo endured the last of its record-breaking four consecutive losses in January 1994.

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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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Niners offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins said Tuesday that the embattled quarterback will start when San Francisco (1-11) hosts the Jets (3-9) on Sunday. Kaepernick completed just one pass in three quarters in a 26-6 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

Kaepernick was removed from the game for Blaine Gabbert in the fourth quarter after taking five sacks and completing one pass, which came midway through the second quarter.

”We just decided during the game to try to see if Blaine could give us a spark and Kap’s been the starter,” Modkins said. ”It’s nothing other than that.”

San Francisco finished with just six net yards passing after the weather dictated a heavy reliance on the running game. Gabbert completed four of his 10 attempts for 35 yards and took a safety after the game was out of hand.

”I was just watching how the ball was coming off (Kaepernick’s) hands and what our chances were of completing it,” 49ers coach Chip Kelly said afterward.

San Francisco was able to run effectively for the majority of the afternoon, with 141 of the 49ers’ 147 total yards coming on the ground. But Chicago scored three straight touchdowns and the 49ers needed to pass to get back into the game.

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After all, a win or a loss this week may ultimately determine your playoff destiny. Maybe a win puts you in or earns you a bye. Lose, and you could be already looking ahead to 2017.

A big key is to not put too much additional pressure on yourself. Don’t overthink things because the stakes seem to be raised this week. Make a firm decision, stick with it, and let your players do the rest. If your choices are well-researched and informed, you give yourself the best opportunity to win. Don’t drive yourself crazy, set the best possible lineup and you’ll know you did all you can to keep your title hopes alive.

KAEPERNICK RISING

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick has two touchdown passes in three of his past four games, and has totaled double-figure fantasy rushing totals in two of those outings. He rushed for 113 yards last week and 55 yards with a score in Week 10. He has the look of a QB1 heading into the Week 13 matchup with the Bears. Kaepernick is always a threat to boost his totals with his rushing prowess, and Chicago allows 25.9 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Kaepernick is a productive dual threat with a lot of statistical promise.

PUT SMALLWOOD IN AGAIN

Eagles rookie Wendell Smallwood deserves another opportunity to be in your lineup. Ryan Mathews is still battling a knee injury and the Bengals allow 120.5 yards rushing per game, fifth-most in the NFL. He carried nine times for 37 yards last week but should see more work against the Bengals, likely serving as Philadelphia’s primary ball carrier.

AFTER COOKS SHUTOUT?

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was somehow shut out last week while the Saints scored 49 points against the Rams. Look for Drew Brees to make a strong effort to get him the ball in what could be a shootout with the Lions. Last week’s zero should lead to the Saints attempting heartily to get him back into the offensive flow. Start Cook with confidence this week.

CHARGERS WIDEOUTS

The Chargers are dealing with key injuries at wide receiver. Tyrell Williams has a labrum problem, and Travis Benjamin has yet to show he is adequately recovered from a knee injury. Look for Dontrelle Inman to be a frequent target for Philip Rivers this week. He caught six passes for 119 yards last week and should certainly build on that momentum against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers’ pass defense is mediocre, Rivers should throw frequently and Inman will be his top target. Start him as your third fantasy wide receiver.

WILSON REPEAT

Chicago’s Marquess Wilson was the pickup of the week after catching eight passes for 125 yards and a TD against the Titans. The 49ers allow 28.0 FFPG to opposing wide receivers, the most of any NFL team. Wilson should stay in your lineup this week as a third wide receiver or flex. New starter Matt Barkley clearly identified Wilson as his favorite target and the Bears should continue to move the ball well enough vs. San Francisco this week. Even if they run often with Jordan Howard, Wilson should remain the top pass-catching option when Chicago throws the ball.

WARE VS. OAKLAND

Spencer Ware has not rushed for more than 80 yards or ran for a score since Week 6. That was when he last faced Oakland, when he had 131 yards and a TD. This week, Ware gets the Raiders again, and you should start him again despite a recent run of mostly mediocre outings. Kansas City will need to establish the ground game to try to keep a potent Raiders offense off the field as much as possible. Oakland has allowed 116.9 yards rushing per game, seventh-most among NFL teams, with a dozen rushing scores.

STREAMING OPTIONS

There are some nifty streaming (one-week play) options if you a desperate for help at tight end. Consider New Orleans’ Coby Fleener, as the Lions allow a league-high 11.4 FFPG to the position. Zach Ertz is in play against the Bengals, who yield 10.2 FFPG to TEs, fourth-most in the league. C.J. Fiedorowicz is a solid start. He has been a sometimes pleasant surprise this season, and the Packers allow 9.6 FFPG to the position. Cameron Brate has considerable TD potential against the Raiders.

DEFENSES

It’s not easy to find the right defense to utilize this week, but consider the Packers, who bounced back against the Eagles last week, and now face the Texans. Brock Osweiler has 13 interceptions, the second-highest total in the NFL. Against Philly, the Packers dominated time of possession and brought significant pass pressure against Carson Wentz. They generated four sacks and could force Osweiler into some mistakes this week. The Panthers have 33 sacks (third in the NFL) and should register a few more at Seattle. San Diego is an underrated unit that could force some turnovers at home against Tampa Bay. The Chargers lead the NFL with 14 interceptions. Miami is a solid play at Baltimore to at least keep the score down. The Bears and 49ers are both mistake-prone and oppose each other.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com

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Despite clear signs of progress Sunday, that all added up to an eighth straight loss for the Niners when they lost 23-20 to the Arizona Cardinals on a last-second field goal.

”I don’t think anybody is patting themselves on the back for being close with Arizona,” coach Chip Kelly said Monday. ”That’s not what this deal is all about. It’s about winning. At the end of the day we didn’t make enough plays. We probably made one less play than they did and they ended up winning the game on the last play of the game. That’s what it’s all about.”

But after losing by an average of more than 17 points the previous seven games with the closest defeat being a seven-point loss to Dallas last month, having a chance to win late was a major step forward for the 49ers (1-8).

The biggest difference for San Francisco came on the defensive end where David Johnson was held to 55 yards on 19 carries and Arizona finished with just 80 yards for the game on the ground.

The Niners had allowed a 100-yard rusher for seven straight games – the longest streak in NFL history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau – and was on pace to give up the most yards rushing in a season in 36 years.

Johnson had run for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-21 win for the Cardinals last month in Santa Clara but struggled to get going at all against that defense in the rematch.

”First and foremost, I think we tackled better,” Kelly said. ”That was the least amount of missed tackles that we had on the season in that game.”

The offense has also shown signs of improvement the more Kaepernick plays. After failing to complete even half his passes in his first two starts in place of Blaine Gabbert, Kaepernick has been much more effective since the bye.

He threw for 398 yards and two TDs on Nov. 6 against New Orleans and then went 17 for 30 for 210 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against the Cardinals. He also ran for 55 yards, including the game-tying touchdown with 1:55 to play.

”I think our guys have an understanding and a feeling of how we’re moving forward offensively and starting to kind of understand how things work off of things,” Kelly said. ”They’re being able to answer some of the questions that are being presented to them. They kind of get a feel for where we are. So, we’re still a ways away, 20 points a game isn’t enough in this league. We still need to score more than that and we need to capitalize.”

The Niners failed to take full advantage of the four turnovers the defense generated. Twice they started drives in Cardinals territory following turnovers only to punt.

The most costly came late in the third quarter when San Francisco got to the Arizona 28 following an interception by Eric Reid. But a dropped pass by Chris Harper and two holding penalties took the Niners out of field position and they punted.

The task doesn’t get any easier for the Niners this week with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots set to visit fresh off a home loss to Seattle. San Francisco needs a win to avoid tying the longest losing streak in franchise history: a nine-gamer in 1978 that led to the hiring of Bill Walsh as coach the following season.

”You get a chance to play against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick,” Kelly said. ”If that doesn’t get your blood boiling, then you’re in the wrong sport.”

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The starter in Super Bowl XLVII described the game from early 2015 as his worst start as a pro. He threw two pick-sixes on his first two possessions, leading to a disastrous loss, 47-7, before losing his starting job to Blaine Gabbert weeks later.

The embattled quarterback Sunday will make his first start in University of Phoenix Stadium since, trying to end the 49ers’ seven-game losing streak under first-year coach Chip Kelly.

”It’s a good opportunity to go back, redeem myself and try to help get this team back on track,” Kaepernick said Tuesday.

”You always remember those games, but you move on from it. You can’t linger on it. You can’t dwell on it. You take what you can learn from it and move on.”

Kaepernick will bring with him good feelings coming off his most productive start of 2016 against the Saints, when he threw for a season-high 398 yards – the second-most of his career – on 24-of-39 completions with two touchdowns and one interception. San Francisco lost, 41-23, despite the offensive outburst due to four turnovers and going 0-for-2 in the red zone.

”We need to put up more points along with those yards,” said Kaepernick. ”We still left a lot of opportunities out there on the field for bigger plays, more yards, more points. So, those are things we have to be able to capitalize on.”

Sunday will be Kaepernick’s fourth start of the season after replacing Gabbert six games in. Kaepernick has a renewed mindset in 2016, while adjusting to everything that’s come with his protest of social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. He’s become one of the NFL’s most polarizing figures.

”I think he’s been through it all,” 49ers safety Eric Reid said, who kneels alongside Kaepernick during the anthem. ”He came in this league as a back up, rose to the top, to the highest of highs in this league. And then he had a low point (against the Cardinals) and now he’s battling back from that. I think that’s helped him. There hasn’t been too much he hasn’t seen – too many emotions he hasn’t felt. And I think it’ll play well for him in the long run.”

Offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins added, ”I think Colin is a strong young man and I don’t think he’s going to let anything that happened in the past shackle him for what he does in the future.”

NOTES: The 49ers’ banged-up defense fell to last in the NFL in both yardage and scoring. It took another hit Tuesday with DT Arik Armstead getting placed on injured reserve with a left shoulder injury. DT Chris Jones, formerly of the Texans and Patriots, was signed Tuesday to take Armstead’s place . The 49ers did not activate CB Will Redmond off injured reserve in time for Tuesday’s deadline. He will remain there for the rest of 2016 after getting drafted in the third round from Mississippi State . Kaepernick said he did not vote in the presidential election after calling both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump ”proven liars” and ”racist” in September.

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The starter in Super Bowl XLVII described the game from early 2015 as his worst start as a pro. He threw two pick-sixes on his first two possessions, leading to a disastrous loss, 47-7, before losing his starting job to Blaine Gabbert weeks later.

The embattled quarterback on Sunday will make his first start in University of Phoenix Stadium since, trying to end the 49ers’ seven-game losing streak under first-year coach Chip Kelly.

”It’s a good opportunity to go back, redeem myself and try to help get this team back on track,” Kaepernick said Tuesday.

”You always remember those games, but you move on from it. You can’t linger on it. You can’t dwell on it. You take what you can learn from it and move on.”

Kaepernick will bring with him good feelings coming off his most productive start of 2016 against the Saints, when he threw for a season-high 398 yards – the second-most of his career – on 24-of-39 completions with two touchdowns and one interception. San Francisco lost, 41-23, despite the offensive outburst due to four turnovers and going 0-for-2 in the red zone.

”We need to put up more points along with those yards,” said Kaepernick. ”We still left a lot of opportunities out there on the field for bigger plays, more yards, more points. So, those are things we have to be able to capitalize on.”

Sunday will be Kaepernick’s fourth start of the season after replacing Gabbert six games in. Kaepernick has a renewed mindset in 2016, while adjusting to everything that’s come with his protest of social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. He’s become one of the NFL’s most polarizing figures.

”I think he’s been through it all,” 49ers safety Eric Reid said, who kneels alongside Kaepernick during the anthem. ”He came in this league as a back up, rose to the top, to the highest of highs in this league. And then he had a low point (against the Cardinals) and now he’s battling back from that. I think that’s helped him. There hasn’t been too much he hasn’t seen – too many emotions he hasn’t felt. And I think it’ll play well for him in the long run.”

Offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins added, ”I think Colin is a strong young man and I don’t think he’s going to let anything that happened in the past shackle him for what he does in the future.”

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He sparked a nationwide debate with his anthem protest and emerged as an outspoken activist for minorities, and Kaepernick has seemingly improved his image in the process. This might even be where he leaves his legacy, off the field and not as a strong-armed quarterback and dual threat with his speedy legs – though Kaepernick certainly hopes to return to the dynamic playmaker he once was. And soon.

”Yeah, I think people know a little bit more about me,” Kaepernick said Tuesday. ”I’ve been a little bit more open with where I stand and my views. For me, there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing that I’m afraid to say about my opinion and my stance and what I believe in, because I know why I believe those things and I have knowledge to back that up.”

He just took his message a step further to reach underprivileged youth. Kaepernick hosted a ”Know Your Rights” camp in Oakland for more than 100 kids Saturday, when his San Francisco 49ers (1-6) were on their bye week. They came from organizations throughout the Bay Area.

”It’s exciting to see the youth that have that strength, have that courage, have that intelligence to say, `Our situation might not be the best, might not be ideal but we can succeed through it regardless,”’ he said. ”… There were a lot of different topics that we covered, a lot of different areas that we wanted to share with them. Ultimately, they have the right to be great. They have the right for their freedom. They have the right to be treated as human beings.”

Kaepernick was benched last November by former coach Jim Tomsula in favor of Blaine Gabbert. The 2011 second-round pick, less heralded than other QBs in his draft class, went on season-ending injured reserve and needed a trio of surgeries: his non-throwing left shoulder, left knee and right thumb. He hardly disappeared as a backup, instead taking his old job back last month.

And he made international headlines when he stopped standing for the national anthem in what he said was a protest against racial oppression. First he sat, then he kneeled. Others joined him.

As his team struggles, the 28-year-old Kaepernick appears as collected as any losing quarterback in the league. This is the same guy who led San Francisco to a runner-up Super Bowl finish following the 2012 season.

”He’s definitely been tested, going through his surgeries, losing the starting job, battling through rehab,” 49ers safety Antoine Bethea said. ”All the things he’s been doing, I think he’s really grown. From the outside looking in, not getting too personal, I think he’s come to a place where he’s very comfortable within himself. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.”

From the NBA and WNBA to high school sports, college football and the U.S. women’s national soccer team to college basketball, Kaepernick’s stance has become a major talking point.

Coaches are speaking about it to their players, bosses or athletic directors. The Golden State Warriors are trying to improve communication with civic leaders in diverse downtown Oakland.

Kaepernick’s reputation within his team might be better than ever, too.

”It’s not an image thing. What does the typical quarterback look like? That’s the main question,” wide receiver Quinton Patton said. ”People try to put him in this quarterback category or that quarterback category, but what is a typical quarterback category? Why judge a person or look at him a different kind of way just because he’s different. God made everybody different, right? So everybody can’t be the same.”

Kaepernick, his girlfriend and some others developed the curriculum for the camp, which dealt with everything from cultural and social challenges to college options and preparation.

”It’s an event we wanted to put on to help give them the opportunity to succeed, give them some resources, some knowledge that can help progress them, help them understand the current state of things as well as how to handle different situations and how to succeed in different situations,” Kaepernick said. ”We wanted to make sure it was something that was very grassroots, that was true to what we believed and the message wasn’t skewed or misrepresented or manipulated by a corporation that we had to stand behind.”

NOTES: WR Torrey Smith knew the Niners were shopping him before the trade deadline, noting ”the selfish side of you, you think sometimes a change of scenery would be a good thing but I know I’m very committed to everybody in this locker room and playing well.” … RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) returned to practice, wearing a blue non-contact jersey. He missed the team’s 34-17 loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 23. … The 49ers signed S Vinnie Sunseri to the practice squad.

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Kaepernick had posted on Twitter and Instagram earlier Tuesday a photo of submerged cars and this message: ”I warned you the (hash)7torms Coming !!! (hash)Houston. Kaepernick’s jersey number is 7.

Houston and Central Texas are dealing with a severe storm that included 11 inches of rain overnight.

Kaepernick later made a follow-up post reading, ”No disrespect intended! Prayers up!” before issuing a statement.

He wrote: ”I’m so sorry about my insensitive post earlier today. I didn’t fully understand how many people are struggling in Houston right now and I feel horrible. My prayers are with everyone there.”

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson offered his support.

”Praying for all the people in Houston… Healing is on the way!” he wrote on Twitter.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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St. Louis (3-5) remains in last-place, but the Rams have had plenty to say about the division race, upsetting Seattle and San Francisco in the past three weeks. They held on to beat the 49ers 13-10 Sunday when Kaepernick fumbled on a quarterback sneak at the goal line with 2 seconds left.

It was one of Kaepernick’s worst home games, and came just three weeks after he had a winning performance in a 31-17 victory in St. Louis. On Sunday, the Rams sacked him eight times.

Despite his struggles, Kaepernick appeared headed in for the winning score after a drive that started with 3:11 left on the 49ers’ 12. He completed long passes to Stevie Johnson and Anquan Boldin, then Trumaine Johnson helped the 49ers get closer with back-to-back pass interference and holding penalties as he defended Michael Crabtree.

Kaepernick tried a quarterback sneak from the 1 on third and goal, bobbled the snap and then fumbled as he went down short of the goal line. James Laurinaitis recovered for the Rams.

The play was reviewed and upheld. If Kaepernick had maintained possession, the 49ers could have used their final timeout to try for the touchdown again, or attempt a field goal to tie.

Greg Zuerlein kicked the go-ahead 39-yard field goal for the Rams (3-5) with 5:25 left.

The Rams, 9 1/2-point underdogs to start the week, never let Kaepernick get comfortable. Kaepernick spent more time on his backside and running from St. Louis defenders than he did smoothly directing the offense.

Playing for the second time in 21 days, the teams both were coming off embarrassing routs — the Rams last week 34-7 in Kansas City and the 49ers 42-17 at Denver on Oct. 19 — and this wasn’t pretty, either.

The Niners did little to impress with World Series champion San Francisco Giants Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford, in the stands wearing 49ers gear. Former coach George Seifert was in attendance as well to be honored for his induction into the franchise Hall of Fame.

Kenny Britt caught a 21-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 10 1:04 before halftime. Britt was wide open on a crossing route and easily ran in down the left sideline. That came three plays after the Rams capitalized on Robert Quinn’s sack that forced Kaepernick into losing his first fumble of the day.

Then, the crazy final play of the first half was upheld on replay review.

When Phil Dawson’s 55-yard field goal try came up well short on the final play of the half, Tavon Austin caught the ball near the back of the end zone and brought it out a few yards before backtracking to try to get around the right edge.

Derek Carrier tackled Austin in the end zone as the first-half clock expired.

As the two teams headed for their respective locker rooms, the head coaches stayed put for the ruling — which was that forward progress was stopped in the field of play and the play stood without a safety.

Kaepernick threw an earlier 27-yard catch to Boldin, giving him TD passes in 15 straight games — tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history with Jeff Garcia. Hall of Famer Steve Young had 17 in a row.

The Rams had six sacks total in their first seven games before doubling that total in the first half.

Quinn had two of St. Louis’ five second-quarter sacks and five sacks in his last three games, with four and two forced fumbles in his last two.

When the NFC West rivals first played Oct. 13, Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions or sacks.

Rams quarterback Austin Davis had a scare in the first quarter. After a 10-yard scramble up the middle, he slid on his braced left knee and it caught awkwardly in the loose sod that has been problematic at $1.3 billion Levi’s Stadium. Backup Shaun Hill entered for one play and Davis returned.

San Francisco struggled to get pressure on Davis, while missing star linebacker Patrick Willis missing his second straight game with an injured left big toe. San Francisco sacked Davis five times in the 31-17 win last month.

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