Saturday’s divisional round matchup between the Packers and 49ers ultimately came down to one thing: special teams.
San Francisco blocked a punt and scored to tie it up in the final minutes, then booted the game-winning field goal as time expired to beat Green Bay 13-10 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
With just under five minutes to play, the Packers led 10-3 but were pinned deep in their own territory. They lined up to punt, but the 49ers stormed through the line and blocked it high into the air. Rookie defensive back Talanoa Hufanga quickly located it, scooped it, and carried into the end zone to tie the game.
Green Bay couldn’t get anything offensively after the kickoff, and they (successfully) punted it away after a three-and-out. After eight plays, including a few clutch throws by Jimmy Garoppolo to George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, San Francisco was able to drain the clock down to four seconds before calling timeout and summoning veteran kicker Robbie Gould on for the game-winning try.
Gould came on, and like he’s done so many times with the 49ers, drilled the kick perfectly through the uprights.
The 49ers made another huge play on special teams earlier in the game when they blocked a field goal at the end of the first half. The Packers’ special teams unit ranked 32nd in the NFL this season.
Garoppolo finished 11-for-19 for 131 yards and an interception. Kittle had four catches for 63 yards and Samuel reeled in three passes for 44 yards. Elijah Mitchell paced all running backs with 17 rushes for 53 yards.
On the other side, Rodgers completed 20 of 29 attempts for 225 yards. Aaron Jones led the way out of the backfield and through the air, rushing for 41 yards and gaining 129 through the air. A.J. Dillon punched in a touchdown and Davante Adams had nine catches for 90 yards.
With the win, the 49ers advance to their second NFC Championship Game in the last three years. They will travel to face the winner of Sunday afternoon’s Buccaneers-Rams game next weekend.
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