Colin Kaepernick has his Mr. Dependable in 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin

ST. LOUIS -- You could say that Michael Crabtree is Colin Kaepernick's favorite receiver. You could make a strong case that Vernon Davis is Kaepernick's security blanket and Brandon Lloyd has become his most explosive playmaker down the sideline.

But Kaepernick's Mr. Dependable? The guy who has a knack for getting open whenever the San Francisco 49ers absolutely, positively need a clutch catch in traffic or simply to move the chains?

That would be Anquan Boldin.

Or did you miss Boldin again coming through in the clutch during the 49ers' 31-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams after the Rams built a 14-0 lead?

The play that epitomized the relationship was the highlight-reel, 11-yard TD pass Kaepernick lofted to the left back of the end zone and into Boldin's waiting arms.
 "It was a broken play," Boldin said, matter-of-factly, of his first TD of the season. "Kap made a play with his legs."

To the guy who has been his Mr. Dependable.

The third-and-1, third-quarter pass play was actually drawn up to go to left tackle Joe Staley, who had reported as an eligible receiver. But defensive end Robert Quinn sniffed it out and essentially tackled Staley, which drew a defensive holding flag.
 So, with a free play, Kaepernick rolled to his left and seemed to float for an eternity before uncorking a rainbow just over the outstretched arms of Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh was stunned.

"What is he doing with the ball?" Harbaugh admitted thinking as it was in flight.

Kaepernick was simply finding his most trusted target, who was simply doing his thing against a familiar opponent. In 16 career games against the Rams, Boldin has 104 catches for 1,420 yards and eight touchdowns after catching seven balls for 94 yards Monday night. His teams have gone 12-4 in those matchups, and he has six 100-yard receiving games against the Rams.

Ownage, anyone?

Kaepernick's TD pass to Boldin was his league-leading sixth thrown from outside the pocket, per ESPN Stats & Information, one more than the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck.

Boldin said working on "scramble drills" helped his scoring play, which gave the 49ers their first lead of the game at 17-14.

"Because with a mobile quarterback," Boldin said, "things like that are going to happen. … I've seen him do it over and over."

Kaepernick gave the credit to Boldin.

"He came back and made a great play," Kaepernick said. "He was supposed to be running the other way, saw me scramble. … I'll give Anquan a shot any day of the week."

Boldin praised his quarterback's development.

"His decision-making has improved a lot," Boldin said. "He's always been a good leader. He's always been able to make plays with his legs. But his decision-making has really grown in the last two years, the two years I've been here.

"You see him going through his reads -- if it's not there, checking it down. Things like that."

Things like developing a certain faith and chemistry with his personal Mr. Dependable.