If Rams backup-turned-starter Shaun Hill beats the Vikings on Sunday, blame Norv Turner.

OK, that's a bit of an oversimplification. But Hill does credit the Vikings offensive coordinator for extending his NFL career when the Vikings had no more use for him after the Mike Tice era ended following the 2005 season.

Tice, a former Maryland quarterback, loved his Terrapins. And he held on to Hill as a backup for four seasons, even though Hill's only regular-season snaps were two kneel-downs in the final game of the 2005 season.

"Norv basically stood on the table to keep me in the league in 2006," said Hill, referring to Turner's one season as 49ers offensive coordinator. "He brought me out to San Francisco June 1st or 2nd. I got about a week of OTAs, had to kind of learn it all on the fly. And then in training camp, made the team, and that was all because of him."

Hill has since started 26 of his 34 career games, going 13-13, including 10-6 with the 49ers. His last start was a Lions win over the Vikings in 2010. Turner said he's but one of many coaches who respect the 13-year veteran.

"Shaun has always been a very productive player," Turner said. "He gets the ball out real quick, and that's the No. 1 thing you want in a quarterback."

Three observations …

• Percy Harvin's good health could make fools of those of us who think another team will catch Seattle from behind this season.

• Seattle is good, but the Packers looked uncharacteristically sloppy and disorganized Thursday.

• There have been only eight 5,000-yard passing seasons in NFL history. Drew Brees has half of them.

Two bold predictions

• Cordarrelle Patterson will return Sunday's opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the Rams' defense eventually will prevail at home.

• The Patriots will win at Miami en route to their 12th consecutive season with at least 10 wins. The record belongs to the 49ers, who had 16 straight 10-win seasons from 1983 to 1998.

MARK CRAIG