"Tight end Vernon Davis said the attitude reflects the players' belief that they can compete with anybody, which the 49ers showed in close defeats at Houston and Indianapolis.

"I credit it to the guys, the coaches, having a perspective," coach Mike Singletary said. "Sometimes you can make little improvements here and there that might not show up on the scoreboard. Sometimes it will hit on all cylinders and we'll go from there."

Singletary hopes all cylinders are hitting Sunday when the 49ers play the Tennessee Titans at Candlestick Park, looking for their first victory in more than a month.

"I think every game we play is going to be pivotal," Singletary said.

None more so than for quarterback Alex Smith, who on Sunday will be making his first start in a home game since Oct. 28, 2007."