49ers comeback to win thriller against Packers and advance to NFC Championship Game
Christian McCaffrey rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:07 remaining, as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 24-21 in an NFC divisional round playoff game on Saturday night in Santa Clara, California.
Brock Purdy completed 23 of 39 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the third time in a row. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw intercepted two passes, including one in the final minute, to secure the victory.
"Being able to play (Saturday), he's been battling these two weeks trying to get back and get healthy for the game, he inspires the heck out of all of us," Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said of Greenlaw. "The way he runs, the way he hits, for him to make those plays, catching the ball when they send both to him.
"We'll put him on offense if he really wants to run with the ball that bad. He could definitely get down a lot sooner."
San Francisco will host the winner of Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a chance to advance to the Super Bowl.
Jordan Love completed 21 of 34 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Packers. Aaron Jones carried 18 times for 108 yards.
"Well, I think any time there's a finality to the season, it's always tough unless you're the last team standing," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. "For us to lose this game certainly stings, and I'm sure it's going to sting for a long time."
The high-stakes contest saw three lead changes in the third quarter.
With 9:27 left in the quarter, the Packers led 13-7 after Love completed a 19-yard pass to Bo Melton.
Less than two minutes later, the 49ers responded, taking a 14-13 lead. McCaffrey received a handoff, evaded a potential tackler, and raced up the middle of the field for a 39-yard touchdown.
The back-and-forth battle continued, with the Packers scoring on their next possession. Eric Wilson recovered a fumble on Keisan Nixon's 73-yard kickoff return, putting the Packers at the Niners' 20.
Four plays later, Love found Tucker Kraft open near the front right pylon for a two-yard touchdown. Love then connected with Jones for a two-point conversion, giving the Packers a 21-14 lead with 5:23 remaining in the third.
With 14:56 remaining in the game, Jake Moody hit a 52-yard field goal to bring the 49ers within 21-17.
The Packers attempted to take a seven-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Anders Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal with 6:18 remaining.
"A lot of young kickers in this league go through growing pains, and it'll get magnified because of the magnitude of this game and because of the spot, when it happened," LaFleur said. "That's just part of it."
Carlson's 29-yard field goal gave Green Bay the only score in the first quarter.
Purdy's 32-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle gave the 49ers a 7-3 lead with 8:42 left in the second quarter. Carlson hit again from 29 yards, bringing Green Bay within 7-6 before halftime.
San Francisco's star wideout Deebo Samuel left in the first half with a shoulder injury and was later ruled out. Samuel, who had two catches for 24 yards, was evaluated following a helmet-to-helmet collision in the first half.
"We didn't play well at all but still had a chance at the end," McCaffrey said. "To go out there and execute is a sign of a high character team."
SportsLigue