JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars moved closer to a playoff berth, making it more difficult than it should have been .

David Garrard ran for a touchdown, Josh Scobee kicked two field goals and the Jaguars edged lowly San Francisco 10-9.

Jacksonville (10-4) won for the sixth time in seven games – all of the victories coming against teams with losing records – and now can return to the postseason for the first time since 1999 with a victory against Houston or Tennessee to end the season.

The Jaguars could have clinched a playoff spot Sunday with a victory and some help, but wins by Pittsburgh and San Diego prevented that.

Jacksonville didn’t get the assistance it needed, but then again, it almost didn’t matter. The Jags nearly had a letdown against the 49ers (2-12), who entered the game ranked last in the league in offense and defense.

The team came out flat and played that way most of the game. It was reminiscent of two embarrassing home losses late last season, to the Titans and Texans, that kept the Jags out of the playoffs.

San Francisco, which has lost 12 of 13 since beating St. Louis in the season opener, led 9-7 after Joe Nedney’s 33-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter. But Nedney’s ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and gave the Jaguars good field position.

Jacksonville, which struggled to sustain long drives against a blitzing defense much of the day, moved the ball 47 yards to set up a 32-yard field goal by Scobee with 9:45 to play. Garrard was 4-of-5 for 36 yards on the drive. His only incompletion came when Matt Jones dropped a short pass on third down.

Garrard, forced to throw because the 49ers stacked the line of scrimmage, finished 21-of-40 for 216 yards. Jimmy Smith caught six passes for 70 yards, and Reggie Williams had four receptions for 65 yards.

Fred Taylor and Greg Jones shared carries until Jones left the game in the fourth quarter with a neck strain. Taylor finished with 61 yards on 17 carries. Jones ran 12 times for 44 yards.

The 49ers managed field goals on their first and last drives of the first half behind key plays from rookies Frank Gore and Alex Smith.

Gore finished with 79 yards rushing on 19 carries. Smith avoided his usual troubles – he didn’t have a fumble and had just one interception – but continued to struggle. Smith finished 8-of-24 for 123 yards and ran four times for 30 yards. He has 10 interceptions this season and no touchdown passes.

Smith didn’t have his usual help, though. Leading receiver Brandon Lloyd left the game with a sprained neck. The team’s other starting receiver, Arnaz Battle, missed the game with a knee injury.

The 49ers are tied for worst record in the league with Houston, which beat Arizona on Sunday.

AP-ES-12-18-05 1633EST