Christian McCaffrey’s landing with 1.11 remaining and an interception from Dre Greenlaw helped the San Francisco 49ers keep away from an upset and snatch a 24-21 win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Recreation.
George Kittle’s second-quarter landing was sufficient to provide the 49ers a slender 7-6 lead at half time within the pouring rain of this Divisional Spherical conflict at Levi’s Stadium, with two area targets from Anders Carlson accounting for the Packers’ factors.
Nevertheless, the sport sprang to life in a wild third quarter which noticed Inexperienced Bay set up a seven-point lead on the again of touchdowns from Bo Melton and Tucker Kraft, plus a profitable two-point conversion, which sandwiched one from McCaffrey.
Jake Moody slotted a area objective to maintain the hosts inside touching distance whereas Carlson missed one other try, however a drive led by second-year quarterback Brock Purdy arrange McCaffrey for his second landing contained in the two-minute warning, adopted by Greenlaw intercepting Jordan Love to make sure the NFC’s No 1 seed prevented a shock to the No 7 Packers.
As with their win on the street to the Dallas Cowboys within the Wild Card Spherical final week, the Packers opted to obtain from the coin toss and sought one other early landing as they put collectively a 16-play, 45-yard opening drive.
On this event although, they needed to accept a 29-yard area objective from Carlson because the 49ers protection held agency. But Inexperienced Bay’s defensive unit turned up as properly to pressure the hosts to punt on their first possession after Kenny Clark and Preston Smith sacked San Francisco signal-caller Purdy.
Nevertheless, a failed fourth-and-one conversion by the Packers within the 49ers’ purple zone early within the second quarter arrange an 86-yard drive by the hosts which was completed with Purdy discovering tight finish Kittle for a 32-yard landing to go in entrance.
Inexperienced Bay kicker Carlson’s second 29-yarder of the evening minimize the deficit to at least one level with simply over 4 minutes of the primary half remaining, whereas reverse quantity Jake Moody noticed a 48-yard effort to increase the 49ers’ lead on the penultimate play of the half blocked by Colby Picket.
San Francisco’s hopes weren’t helped by Deebo Samuel being compelled off the sphere as a consequence of a shoulder harm after which a go interference penalty towards Ambry Thomas on third and 15 gave the guests area place for Love to fireside a 19-yard go to the uncovered Melton within the endzone for the lead.
The 49ers response was rapid although, with Kittle’s 32-yard acquire from Purdy’s go adopted by working again McCaffrey racing 39 yards by way of the protection for the house aspect’s second landing of the sport.
Again got here the Pack to retake the lead after a chaotic kick return which noticed Eric Wilson recuperate the ball from a fumble by Keisean Nixon, adopted by Love flicking a go to the fitting for Kraft to seize for a two-yard landing, together with the quarterback discovering Aaron Jones for a profitable two-point conversion.
Moody minimize the 49ers’ deficit to 4 factors with a 52-yard area objective at first of the fourth quarter, whereas fellow rookie Carlson missed a 41-yard effort with 6.18 remaining on the again of Jones’ 53-yard run.
With the sport on the road, Purdy stepped on top of things by guiding his aspect up area to arrange McCaffrey to run it in. There was nonetheless time for Inexperienced Bay to launch one final assault, however cornerback Greenlaw’s decide snuffed out their hopes.
Stat leaders
Inexperienced Bay Packers
- Passing: Jordan Love, 21/34, 194 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Dashing: Aaron Jones, 18 carries, 106 yards
- Receiving: Romeo Doubs, 4 catches, 83 yards
San Francisco 49ers
- Passing: Brock Purdy, 23/39, 252 yards, 1 TD
- Dashing: Christian McCaffrey, 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs
- Receiving: George Kittle, 4 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD; Jauan Jennings, 5 catches, 61 yards
What’s subsequent?
The 49ers now host both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Detroit Lions within the NFC Championship Recreation subsequent weekend for a spot within the Tremendous Bowl.
Watch the Detroit Lions tackle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8pm Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL, adopted by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on the Buffalo Payments from 11.30pm.