![]() With a little less than five minutes remaining, the Packers had fourth-and-19 at their 12. San Francisco's special teams came up with a trio of game-altering plays, each as important as the one before it. To be able to say that and to actually come to fruition and those guys pulled it off was huge for those guys and huge for our team." "We thought they had an opportunity to possibly win us the game. "We thought our special teams had an advantage in this game," Shanahan said. The same 49ers special teams group that had come under fire in recent weeks for its struggles entered Saturday with the idea that it could make the difference.ĭuring the week, head coach Kyle Shanahan and special teams coach Richard Hightower recognized that a Green Bay special teams unit that ranked 31st in efficiency, according to ESPN's Football Power Index, might offer some opportunities to change the course of the game. Buoyed by a dominant defensive performance in which they didn't allow a touchdown after the first drive of the game, the Niners put the "special" in special teams to overcome the Packers. ![]() The Niners soon realized they required the most unpredictable of contributions to turn the tide. The first half was a disaster offensively, as the Niners dropped passes, allowed sacks and generally got pushed around by the well-rested Packers. That's what we are."įor long stretches against the Packers, that might have been up for debate. "We find ways, whether it's running, passing, defense stepping up big, special teams today," San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said. ![]() It has become the signature trait of a team that is not as dominant as the 2019 juggernaut but that makes up for its shortcomings with an unrelenting will to win. As they've done for most of the past 2½ months, the Niners didn't flinch. It continued against the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, when the Niners nearly coughed up a 16-point advantage but managed to squeeze by to advance to the divisional round against the Packers.īut Green Bay presented a unique challenge, one that for most of Saturday looked like it would be too much for the 49ers to overcome. That run culminated in a 17-point comeback victory over the Rams in the final week that clinched a playoff spot. The Niners went 7-2 over their final nine games to get into the postseason. That toughness has been on display a lot over the past couple of months. It's a salty team, and we just keep bouncing back." "This team has been through a lot," San Francisco tight end George Kittle said. Samuel's run set up place-kicker Robbie Gould's winning 45-yard field goal as time expired. The 49ers await the winner of Sunday's NFC divisional game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams.Īfter a disappointing offensive performance, the Niners pieced together the drive they needed at the biggest moment, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel taking a handoff nine yards for a first down on third-and-7 at Green Bay's 38. The result was a wild 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Lambeau Field. To get there, San Francisco had to pull out the type of late-game magic that has been a hallmark of its late-season surge to the playoffs. The same Niners that were once 3-5 and headed for a long offseason full of questions are now headed to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. The San Francisco 49ers simply will not go away. NFL, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers Strong fourth quarter carries San Francisco 49ers past Green Bay Packers, into NFC Championship Game You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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