to the lineup as a guard after missing two weeks because of injuries, but he is released after the season and never plays another NFL down.

November 24, 2011: The 49ers lose the first Harbaugh Bowl on Thanksgiving Night, 16-6, ending their eight-game winning streak. They’ll win four of their last five games to finish 13-3.

December 12, 2011: St. Louis returns a clearly injured Bradford to the lineup on Monday Night Football, but a gimpy Bradford can only go 12-of-29 for 193 yards with an interception against the Seahawks. Bradford misses the remainder of the season, which finishes with the Rams at 2-14.

January 2, 2012: One year to the date of their loss to the Seahawks in what amounted to the NFC play-in game, the 2-14 Rams fire headcoach Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney.

January 11, 2012: Rockies second baseman Russell Wilson tells the organization that he plans to focus on his football career and will not report to spring training. In two years with the Rockies, Wilson hit .229 with five homers in 315 at-bats without making it past Class A.

January 13, 2012: Jeff Fisher is hired to be the new head coach of the Rams.

January 14, 2012: In one of the most exciting playoff games in recent memory, Alex Smith leads a pair of late touchdown drives to push the 49ers past the Saints, 36-32.

January 22, 2012: A closely fought NFC Championship Game turns on two Kyle Williams fumbles, as a dominant performance by the 49ers defense isn’t enough to produce a victory over