"While Vernon Davis is having a career year in coordinator Jimmy Raye's tight end-friendly offense, some of the old Davis crept back into Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Specifically, those frying pan hands that marked his first three seasons. Though he caught six passes for 69 yards, Davis also dropped three catchable balls. He dropped one in the first quarter and two in the second to keep his receiving totals down.

Then again, Davis came up with the biggest offensive play of the day for the 49ers when he snagged a 30-yard reception on 4th-and-1 from the Jacksonville 37-yard line.

"Coach (Mike) Singletary believes in us," Davis said. "We always talk how good our offense is, and we believe in him. So, it's 4th-and-1, he called a play. Then we have to go make it."

The surprising play moved the ball to the 7-yard line. Three plays later, Alex Smith hit Frank Gore with a 4-yard touchdown pass and a 17-0 lead for the home team.

"I love it," Smith said of going for it on fourth down. "That's the mentality you have when you start to grow into an offense. Let's get after it. Vernon made a good play down the sideline. That's this offense growing and becoming more confident."

Davis tied a franchise record with his ninth touchdown catch earlier in the second quarter. He moved into a tie with Ted Kwalick (1972) and Brent Jones (1994) for most touchdown catches in a season by a 49ers tight end.

"We got the ball in the hands of our playmakers. And we've got a lot of them," Davis said. "That's what it's all about. Everybody had some nice stats. That's what you need in order to win."

Davis also established a single-season high in receptions with 57. He had 52 catches in 2007."