NFL

Niners end on high note, Texans end at bottom

SAN FRANCISCO - When Joe Nedney hit an overtime field goal through a drizzle as miserable as these teams' records, everybody won something in the 49ers' season finale against the Texans.

The 49ers salvaged some pride with consecutive victories - and the Texans won by losing coach Dom Capers' final game, wrapping up the No.1 draft pick and the chance to dream about Reggie Bush.

Mike Adams lateraled his second interception to Ben Emanuel for a 35-yard return in OT, and Nedney set off an unlikely celebration with a 33-yard field goal with 3:52 left to end the 49ers' victory.

If Houston had won, New Orleans would have had the top pick and first dibs on Bush, the Heisman Trophy-winning junior tailback from Southern California who's expected to enter the draft.

"You heard the talk all week: "Play well, but don't win,"' said Texans quarterback David Carr, sidelined in the first half with a right elbow injury. "All that stuff was a little distracting at times."

Adams returned a third-quarter pickoff 40 yards for a tying touchdown for the 49ers, whose No.1 pick, Alex Smith, finally threw his first pro touchdown late in the first half.

NOTABLE: The Niners - a league-worst 2-14 in 2004 - finished with a two-game improvement in coach Mike Nolan's first season.

[Last modified January 2, 2006, 03:54:27]