49ers Rally Late to Beat Packers in NFC Divisional Round Game
While no one may have expected the Packers to be the team to play against in the 49ers in this game, they proved they belonged by not only blowing out quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys last weekend but giving the 49ers the best run for their money they could’ve into this Divisional Round game. If a few mistakes made by Green Bay late didn’t happen in this one, we might very well be talking about how the Packers would be headed to the NFC Conference Finals right now. However unfortunately for Green Bay fans that is not the case with the Packers heading back to Green Bay as this loss marked the end of their season. While they would have loved to come out with a win on the 49ers' home field and spoil their great season, they cannot hang their heads as they proved to everyone, that they were better than just your average wild card team. On the other hand, the 49ers will face the winner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Detroit Lions game for the NFC Conference Championship next Sunday night. Let’s take a look at how San Francisco got this win.
The Packers were the first team to put points on the board as their offense set up a 29-yard field goal on their first drive for kicker Anders Carlson and after Carlson made the field goal the score was 3-0 Green Bay early. The 49ers would be the next team to score as on their second drive with nearly nine minutes left in the second quarter quarterback Brock Purdy connected with tight end George Kittle for a 32-yard touchdown and after kicker Jake Moody made the extra point the score was 7-3 San Francisco. The Packers would respond to this score by the 49ers with another field goal as Carlson knocked down one from 29 yards to make the game score 7-6. After this field goal by Green Bay, the 49ers would have one more drive before halftime to score some points and while their offense would be able to set up a 48-yard field goal for Moody the kick was unsuccessful as it was blocked by Green Bay defensive tackle Colby Wooden.
The Packers would regain the lead early in the second half as quarterback Jordan Love connected on a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Bo Melton for a touchdown to put Green Bay up 13-7. Unfortunately for Green Bay, the 49ers would respond with a touchdown of their own as running back Christian McCaffrey ran into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown to put San Francisco up 14-13. When the Packers got the ball back, they would take the lead once again as Love found tight end Tucker Kraft open for a 2-yard touchdown. Green Bay would attempt a two-point conversion and be successful as running back Aaron Jones caught Love’s pass in the end zone to give the Packers a seven-point 21-14 lead. When Green Bay got the ball back Love would make his first big mistake of the game as he threw an interception, a pass intended for tight end Tucker Kraft, into the hands of 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The 49ers would be able to turn this defense into points on the offensive end as Moody knocked down a 52-yard field goal to cut the Packers' lead to four points 21-17 early in the 4th quarter.
With nearly six minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, Carlson would have a shot at his biggest field goal of the game as he got an attempt from 41 yards out. Unfortunately for Green Bay, it was an unsuccessful kick as he missed wide left and everyone in the stadium could start to feel the momentum swing the 49ers way. San Francisco started marching down the field and they could not be stopped as McCaffrey ran into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with just over a minute remaining in regulation. The Packers would have one more drive to attempt to get in field goal range to tie this one up and while Love would have a few quick completions, the game would end with nearly fifty seconds left as he threw an interception, a pass intended for wide receiver Christian Watson, once again into the hands of San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw as the 49ers rallied late to win this one 24-21 in Santa Clara, California.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy went twenty-three for thirty-nine on his pass attempts in the game, finishing having thrown for 252 passing yards and a touchdown. Running back Christian McCaffrey had seventeen carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end George Kittle had four receptions for 81 yards and the 49ers only receiving touchdown in the game. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love went twenty-one for thirty-four on his pass attempts in the game, throwing 194 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Running back Aaron Jones had eighteen carries for 108 yards, while wide receiver Romeo Doubs had four catches for 83 yards. Wide receiver Bo Melton and tight end Tucker Kraft each had one of Green Bay’s only two receiving touchdowns on Saturday night.
