As the ball cleared the crossbar, ending a game in which the teams were separated by more than five points only once in the second half, with the lead changing sidelines four times, some players rushed the field and lifted Gould. For them, it felt good to have a meaningful win rather than the moral victories that came in losses to Seattleand Baltimore, potential statement games San Francisco lost by three points each. With two of their final three remaining contests coming against divisional foes Los Angeles and Seattle, the 49ers proved Sunday they can close out marquee games -- particularly those on the road. Few environments are as difficult to hold up in as the Superdome -- "I don't know if I've ever heard it that loud," said edge rusher Nick Bosa -- but the Niners never blinked. Not until after the game, when players presented game balls to the York family.