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Postgame
Of course, it’s always a team effort in the NFL, but in this game one name will stand out for all-time: Raheem Mostert.
He carried the ball 29 times for 220 yards at 7.6 yards a run. He also scored four touchdowns in what was a record-setting career day.
It meant an easy walk in the park for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who threw just eight times, an absolutely remarkable total for a pivot capable of taking over a game when necessary.
But it wasn’t today. Not with this rushing attack and not with this defense, a unit that let most of its points through during extended garbage time.
And now they will face a considerably more formidable opponent in the Super Bowl. Kansas City v San Francisco has enough story lines to keep everybody busy for two weeks - a marquee matchup that we can all look forward to.
We will be in Miami in the lead up to the Big Show, and of course, will be here live when it finally kicks off. Until then, thank you for following along with us, and wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and good night.
Packers 20-37 49ers, Final
It’s all over!
The San Francisco 49ers are heading back to the Super Bowl after decimating the Green Bay Packers!
Packers 20-37 49ers, 0:55 4th quarter
The clock is moving and the Niners head to the line in victory formation.
INTERCEPTION! Packers 20-37 49ers, 1:48 4th quarter
So we’re back. Green Bay are at their own 38 and Rodgers is chucking it downfield and right into the hands of Richard Sherman!
The San Francisco sideline erupts, the crowd celebrates and the Super Bowl beckons for these 49ers.
Packers 20-37 49ers, 2:00 4th quarter
Adams is open over the middle and has it for a 16-yard first down completion.
We’re at the warning.
Packers 20-37 49ers, 2:08 4th quarter
Timeout San Francisco, no2.
Packers 20-37 49ers, 2:08 4th quarter
Rodgers is killing the clock, hading it off to Williams. Not a whole lot of urgency from Green Bay and now Rodgers is sacked!
And the ball is loose! Green Bay has possession. Arik Armstead with the quarterback sack.
On 3rd & 13, Rodgers launches downfield, incomplete, towards Lazard.
That means it’s 4th and season.
Updated
FIELD GOAL! Packers 20-37 49ers, 3:31 4th quarter
Gould is good! And the send off to Miami continues for 49ers fans.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 3:36 4th quarter
Mostert is stopped on third down and the field goal until will come on for a field goal attempt of 42 yards to ice this game just a little bit more.
San Francisco call for time, their first of the half.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 5:08 4th quarter
Mostert has a gain of three yards and Green Bay call their final timeout.
FOX TV here in the US are starting to talk about things like the 49ers commitment from ownership in building up this program.
That’s the death knell.
Updated
Packers 20-34 49ers, 5:13 4th quarter
Mostert has it, and runs for a first down!
Green Bay call their second timeout and the odds get longer for the Packers.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 5:42 4th quarter
Green Bay call timeout, which is apparently the first of the half. I was sure that I saw them call a timeout earlier but I am wrong.
Pass to Mostert, complete. It looks like a first down but there is some confusion.
Matt LaFleur is challenging the spot. This is a risky proposition because they could lose a timeout. But they need to win this challenge.
He wins the spot and keep their time out. It’s 3rd & 1. Huge play again right here.
Updated
Packers 20-34 49ers, 5:53 4th quarter
Garoppolo in the shotgun and he throws towards Kittle and it’s incomplete - with flags!
It’s a little ticky tack if you ask me, but it’s probably correct.
That’s a huge first down there for San Francisco. They can go back to running now.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 6:13 4th quarter
Mostert runs and is stopped short of a first down after a run of two and it’s 3rd and 3 - the play of the game right here.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 7:29 4th quarter
Now Garoppolo throws and now he turns to Kittle, that warm security blanket of a tight end. It’s a catch and run of 19 yards.
Green Bay need a play.
Updated
Packers 20-34 49ers, 8:10 4th quarter
So televisions crackle back in Wisconsin on as word travels through the state that the Packers have crawled to within two scores.
And we think about what might have been had Green Bay awakened just a little bit earlier. And about the timeout GB had to burn earlier when the game was a done deal.
San Francisco start at their own 27.
Packers 20-34 49ers, 8:13 4th quarter
Rodgers rolling to his right, fires and has Sternberger in the back of the endzone! It’s a touchdown!
The extra point is good and it’s a two-score game.
Now they’re really messing with the gamblers.
Do I have to stop making jokes?
Packers 13-34 49ers, 8:35 4th quarter
Rodgers dumps off to Jones who has a first down catch, out of bounds at the eight.
Packers 13-34 49ers, 9:13 4th quarter
Adams has a catch at the 14 setting up a 3rd & 2.
Packers 13-34 49ers, 9:53 4th quarter
Rodgers is chucking the ball around and on 3rd & 5, he airs it out, way down field, and Adams makes an over the shoulder catch, beating Richard Sherman!
That’s a 65-yard chunk of cheese and the Pack are approaching the red zone.
Packers 13-34 49ers, 11:25 4th quarter
Now there’s a false start on San Francisco. They may be trying to drain the clock a la Belichick, a la Vrabel.
You won’t see that next year. Will we ever see this punt? Yes!
Irvin calls for a fair catch around the nine.
Packers 13-34 49ers, 12:17 4th quarter
It’s 4th & 1 and San Francisco are going for it.
Or not.
They try to draw GB offsides to no avail.
Now they’ll punt.
Updated
Packers 13-34 49ers, 12:55 4th quarter
Mark Nzeocha, a backup linebacker, smothers the onsides kick. San Francisco take over at the GB 49. Mostert has the ball and runs for three yards. He has 203 total.just one shy of 200.
Garoppolo should try handing off with his other hand.
NO GOOD! Packers 13-34 49ers, 14:35 4th quarter
Rodgers throws behind Adams and the ball bounces off his hands. So the lead is 21, if you’re keeping score at home.
CORRECTION // TOUCHDOWN! Packers 13-34 49ers, 14:35 4th quarter
No, Graham was down say the replay officials, so Jones ran it in from one yard out instead. Ho hum. Now they go for two.
@LengelDavid Aaron Rodgers is State Farm’s brand spokesperson, not Allstate’s.
— Laura J (@Larxxxene) January 20, 2020
Hahahaha! So much for their advertising! Maybe if they had Lamar Jackson out there I would pay more attention!
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 13-34 49ers, 14:53 4th quarter
Rodgers finds Graham down the middle for a 43-yard strike! It’s under review but he looks like he’s in. I’m gonna keep it up there, that’s how good I feel about this.
When we return, Green Bay will go for two.
This is your brain on Mostert...
Raheem Mostert.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 20, 2020
That's it. That's the tweet.#BeLegendary pic.twitter.com/xirNLEvbBF
...any questions?
Updated
Packers 7-34 49ers, end of 3rd quarter
Rodgers finds Lazard over the middle and that will keep this futile drive alive, even if the Packers are all but dead.
The Niners are one quarter away from the Big Show!
Packers 7-34 49ers, 0:20 3rd quarter
It’s 3rd & 12 for Green Bay from the GB 43. Rodgers is in the shotgun, has time and throws short to his right. It’s Jimmy G...raham with the catch.
And more men down for the Niners, Bosa is one of them, Greenlaw is the other. They’re OK, but these key guys have to come out.
We take a break - it’s 4 & 2 at the SF 47. They’re going for it.
Updated
Packers 7-34 49ers, 2:20 3rd quarter
Now Rodgers, one of the NFL’s all-time greats, and one of All-State’s leading brand ambassadors, must suffer the indignity of being run out there for the next quarter and change.
It’s 3rd & 7 on the GB 40. Rodgers is in the shotgun - he finds Jones, who gains six and is short of the first down.
And there’s a flag, on the defense! How about that, first down GB!
It’s the first penalty committed by San Francisco this game.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 7-34 49ers, 4:49 3rd quarter
OK, so Mostert runs again towards the far sideline and once again he has room and once again finds the endzone!
It’s the fourth touchdown of the night for Raheem Mostert, a name you will be getting to know if you don’t know it. already. I am talking Wheaties boxes, a shoe deal, maybe even a custom Mostert emoji?
Anything is possible at this point. That’s a 22-yard run to pay dirt and he’s now just four yards short of 200!
Packers 7-27 49ers, 5:11 3rd quarter
There’s more. Samuel is getting the reps, and this time it’s something of an end around - for 32 yards. I guess 32 yard gains are the new normal.
San Francisco are at the Green Bay 22.
At this point I think we have to ask, will Garoppolo ever pass again? I mean, even against Kansas City.
Wishbone offense?
Packers 7-27 49ers, 6:46 3rd quarter
On 2nd & 3, Mostert runs right for a first down, of course, since he is totally unstoppable. Why stop running now? And that clock just ticks away.
Now it’s Samuel running wide around the backfield, towards the far sideline for an eventual gain of 11 yards.
I think I could run on Green Bay at this point. No seriously, I could. And I have a bad back. And I am really slow and quite wimpish.
Green Bay burns a timeout.
So how are you going to spend your remaining liveblogging time now that the football game is basically over @LengelDavid?
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) January 20, 2020
I am thinking salty snacks.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 7-27 49ers, 8:44 3rd quarter
Rodgers finds Jones who catches and runs relatively untouched into the endzone. Green Bay cut into the lead on a drive that takes up 6:16 of precious time.
They still have a lot of work to do of course.
Packers 0-27 49ers, 8:44 3rd quarter
The Packers convert on third down for the first time this game and are approaching the red zone. Then they are flagged for a false start pushing them back to the 27.
Now Rodgers finds Allison on the far sideline for seven. Decent drive - way too late.
Lewis has a reception - a catch and run down to the Niners 11.
That clock is moving fast...
Packers 0-27 49ers, 11:12 3rd quarter
Tevin Coleman is out fort the rest of the game with a shoulder injury, not that San Francisco need him.
Meanwhile, Adams starts off the half with two catches for 30 yards. Green Bay are on the Niners 45 and on the move.
Now there’s some razzle dazzle: a flea flicker that ends in a fizzle. It’s a short gain of eight rather than a momentum swinging big play they were looking for.
Then Jones runs for a first down.
Bosa limps off the field, evidence that only bad things can happen now for SF as they prepare to face Kansas City. Some injury in and around on the left hip area.
Packers on the SF 28.
Updated
Second half action
Unfortunately for Green Bay fans, the players and coaches are contractually obligated to come out of the lockers and play a second half of football
We’re back!
Email:
Roy K writes:
“Anyway I’m emailing to say Green Bay appear to be on the end of a right shellacking and poor Aaron Rodgers has the sad eyes of a cocker spaniel watching his owners eat prime rib. This may or may not be inspired by my own dog who looks at me this way at almost every meal...”
I think I need a snack.
Email: Michael v Nick
Nick is putting up more of a fight than Green Bay!
He writes:
Michael is being silly about Aaron Rodgers calling The City as San Fran. The days of being pissy about calling our fair city San Fran or Frisco are long gone. There is so much more that is important than Ess Eff’s nick names. Mr Rodgers grew up in Nor Cal for goodness sake. It is fine he says San Fran. Plus the Niners are really the Silicon Valley Niners these days.
Sincerely,
Nick Bonnell
San Francisco resident
Updated
Raheem Mostert
This man has dismantled the Green Bay Packers, and set a franchise record for playoff rushing yards in the process. In just one half of football, Mostert has run for 160 yards and three touchdowns.
That’s a lot.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo has six passes all game, none of which have been to their the player who is arguably their biggest weapon on offense: George Kittle.
Packers 0-27 49ers, end of half
A Green Bay punt ends this quarter and that makes perfect sense. It is complete and total domination by the home team as glasses clink all over the Bay and Silicon valley. Their team is 30 minutes away from a date with the Chiefs in Miami in two weeks time!
Updated
Packers 0-27 49ers, 0:14 2nd quarter
The crowd in Santa Clara are chanting “defense” and that’s exactly what they’re getting. What’s more, there’s an ineligible receiver downfield for Green Bay. It’s 3rd & 12 and the Packers can’t get off the field fast enough.
Remember when...
...the NFL passing game had taken over and running back play was cruising towards irrelevancy?
Yeah, that seems silly right now.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 0-27 49ers, 0:45 2nd quarter
Raheem Mostert is strolling into the endzone for the third time in this game! He is completely unstoppable!
There is no halftime speech that I know of that can help Green Bay. If Vince Lombardi came back right now he’d say, hit the showers men.
Updated
Packers 0-20 49ers, 0:50 2nd quarter
Mostert is running again, and again nobody can stop Raheem from eating up chunks of territory.
It’s another 10 yards for the running back as SF set up at the GB 19.
INTERCEPTION! Packers 0-20 49ers, 1:01 2nd quarter
A false start by Green Bay ends in a 10-second time run off, giving the Packers even less time to make something, anything happen.
Here’s something happening - it’s an INTERCEPTION! Moseley picks off Rodgers as Green Bay commit their second turnover!
Televisions all over Wisconsin shut off in the hundreds of thousands!
Now San Francisco have the ball at the Green Bay 30 and will enjoy another chance to pile on some points.
Mess!
Updated
Email!
Michael from San Francisco writes:
“In a pre-game interview Rodgers referred to the city of San Francisco as “San Fran” For locals that is an absolute no-no - (our city is never referred to as that or “Frisco) and for that reason alone the Packers cannot be allowed to win !! (Can only believe it was an intentional ‘mis-speak’ by Rodgers as he attended college in the San Francisco Bay Area and should know better...)“
Or perhaps Rodgers was just winding up the locals. If he was, that is the only thing he’s done to wind them up today!
FIELD GOAL! Packers 0-20 49ers, 1:57 2nd quarter
Robbie Gould has an easy 27-yard field goal to extend the lead.
This is a mess for Rodgers and the Packers. Seven before halftime would warm up their ice cold fans, at least a little.
Packers 0-17 49ers, 2:00 2nd quarter
Garoppolo has a man on the far sideline - it’s Kendrick Bourne who has it but is short of the first down.
it’s 4th & 2 from the GB nine. Do they go for the throat here or kick the field goal?
We’re at the two minute warning in what has been a speedy first half thanks to the heavy run play.
All this offense and we haven’t seen Garoppolo target Kittle yet!
Packers 0-17 49ers, 2:10 2nd quarter
Garoppolo back to pass, looking for Samuel on a slant, but King breaks it up setting up a key 3rd & 8.
Packers 0-17 49ers, 2:41 2nd quarter
Garoppolo is in the shotgun: he hands to Mostert who jettisons up the middle for a first down, and more!
It’s 10 more yards for the mercurial Mostert who is making quite a name for himself here.
The Packers look dead.
Packers 0-17 49ers, 3:26 2nd quarter
Big 3rd & 2. Green Bay have got to make a stand and hold San Francisco to a field goal.
Kyle Shanahan doesn’t like what he sees and uses his first timeout of the half.
Packers 0-17 49ers, 3:34 2nd quarter
Defensive pass interference starts off the drive for Green Bay - King did the deed on Samuel as he tried to defend the slant.
Now Mostert is running right and running far! He has room to roam as he crosses midfield and has himself a 34-yard gain!
We all have to be thinking blowout as Mostert has over 100 yards already! What!?
San Francisco are already at the Packers 27.
TURNOVER Packers 0-17 49ers, 5:39 2nd quarter
A lot on the ground here for Green Bay, and that at the very least gives the defense a breather.
But wait - here’s a snap and Rodgers doesn’t have the ball! The ball is on the ground! Who has it? A red shirt!
DeForest Buckner recovers a fumble and that is a crucial mistake between Rodgers and center Corey Linsley. Niners take over on their own 25!
Oy vey!
Updated
Packers 0-17 49ers, 6:12 2nd quarter
The Packers continue to move - Jones powers to his right for a gain of four and another first down for Green Bay. They’re at the 25 now. Finally some signs of life for Green Bay.
Packers 0-17 49ers, 7:55 2nd quarter
Alright. Time for Green Bay to take a deep breathe and not panic. Rodgers starts off passing, finding Kumerow over the middle for 23 yards!
Now Aaron Jones is running with room! He has another first down after a gain of 11. Suddenly, GB are at the SF 34!
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 0-17 49ers, 9:12 2nd quarter
Talent like Mostert, who follows a block from Samuel into the far side of the endzone! Again, it is just too easy, as San Francisco’s line controls the play.
It is getting extremely ugly for Green Bay. How do you stop this train?
Coleman
His right arm and hand hang as Coleman deals with what looks to be substantial pain. The cart comes out, for a hand/arm/wrist/elbow injury, which tells you something about the kind of shape the running back is in at the moment.
Concerned San Francisco fans can hang their hat on the long line of talent they have at the position.
Packers 0-10 49ers, 9:33 2nd quarter
Coleman runs for four yards to the 10 but he’s hit and shaken up. he’s on his back forcing an injury timeout. We’ll let you know how banged up Coleman is when we hear.
It’s 2nd and 6 when we return.
Packers 0-10 49ers, 9:37 2nd quarter
Garoppolo with the old Tom Brady QB sneak, gets the first down as the Niners reload on downs at the 14.
Packers 0-10 49ers, 11:18 2nd quarter
More from Mostert - this time it’s a 13-yard run to his right, around the edge and into pasture.
Mostert again! Now it’s on the near side for nine yards, and this is way too easy for San Francisco.
Niners at the 16 yard line already.
It is incredibly unfair how handsome Jimmy Garoppolo is.
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) January 20, 2020
You’re not kidding. My wife won’t stop bringing it up - I’m gonna have a complex by the fourth quarter.
Packers 0-10 49ers, 12:32 2nd quarter
Now GB starts up again and they need to put something together.
But Jones is hit as he catches a second down pass - it’s a loss of three yards as the Niners defense continues to rumble!
Big 3rd & 7 coming right here for Green Bay
Rodgers is back to pass and now he loses the football - Williams knocks it away! Green Bay recover after a huge loss and it’s an offensive nightmare for GB.
And it gets worse - the ensuing punt is just 20 yards to the GB 37.
Gut check time has arrived for the Packers.
FIELD GOAL Packers 0-10 49ers, 14:55 2nd quarter
Robbie Gould is good from 54 yards out!
So that’s way better than a punt and I stand corrected.
That’s his first field goal of over 50 yards this season, so yeah, that was a wee bit aggressive from Shanahan.
It pays off as the 49ers get points and a two score lead.
Packers 0-7 49ers, end of 1st quarter
It’s 3rd & 6 and a huge down right here for Green Bay. From the GB 28, Garoppolo from the shotgun, he has time, and then suddenly there’s no time! Jimmy G is sacked!
Kyle Fackrell makes the hit and that’s absolutely enormous play right there. It sends San Francisco back to the 36. They have some options of what to do here on fourth down, but they’ll likely kick it away.
We’ll find out after this message from...nobody. Stick with us!
Packers 0-7 49ers, 0:44 1st quarter
On 2nd & 6, Garoppolo throws incomplete, but Clark is called for roughing the passer! So instead of third down, it sends the Niners 15 yards closer to the endzone.
Unnecessary and ill timed penalty right there. GB can’t make mistakes like that.
Packers 0-7 49ers, 2:16 1st quarter
On second down, Nick Bosa penetrates and wraps up Williams who is trying to run up the middle.
That makes it 3rd & 7 after a gain of just one yard.
Now Rodgers is back to pass and rolling to his left - everyone is covered and the Packers QB is thrown to the turf! Bosa is there again to make the play!
Now Scott punts, James has it and he has some room! He runs to his right to the sideline and turns! James with a 26-yard return!
Good field position for San Francisco as they’ll start at their own 49.
Green Bay’s defense must make plays and stop the Niners right now or this could get out of hand w=quickly.
Packers 0-7 49ers, 4:21 1st quarter
OK, so after being held on the first drive of the game, the 49er offense came back, shook off the rust, and kicked into gear with a six play, 89-yard drive.
Now, how will the Packers respond?
First Geronimo Allison has a short reception for two yards. Then Rogers rolls to his left and throws complete - 13-yard gain to Allen Lazard on the far sideline. Good throw!
That moves the chains as Packers fans look for more positives here in the first quarter.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 0-7 49ers, 5:55 1st quarter
Raheem Mostert takes it and he is off and running! Raheem Mostert is nearly untouched! he’s streaking down the near sideline and he’s into the endzone!
It’s a 36-yard run for Raheem Mostert!
San Francisco have the lead!
Packers 0-0 49ers, 6:54 1st quarter
More play-action from Garoppolo but this time Green Bay have it covered - Mostert has the catch but he’s wrapped up for a loss of four. It sets up a 3rd & 8.
Packers 0-0 49ers, 7:03 1st quarter
Garoppolo fakes a handoff, rolls, fires and hits Sanders, who breaks outside and has a first down! That’s a gain of 16 to start it off for the Niners on this drive.
Now he hits Samuel again, this time over the middle! No19 is a trip away from a trip to his endzone - instead it’s a 30-yeard gain to the Green Bay 37.
The 49ers are moving.
Packers 0-0 49ers, 9:52 1st quarter
It’s 3rd and three from the GB 47. Rodgers - a short pass to Williams who tries to break outside, can’t break away and then gets just two yards. That sets up a 4th & 1: Green Bay will play it safe and punt it away.
Scott boots it to around the 10, fair catch and that’s where San Francisco will start when we return.
Solid start for these defenses.
Packers 0-0 49ers, 11:52 1st quarter
So that’s the big defensive statement Green Bay needed at the start of this game.
Now, what of the offense?
Rogers starts off with throws to Aaron Jones and then Davante Adams, and there’s a quick first down for the Packers.
Packers 0-0 49ers, 13:05 1st quarter
Tevin Coleman, back-to-back runs for a total of nine yards sets up a 3rd & 1 on the opening drive. On the third try, Coleman is rejected by Green Back for no gain! Za’Darius Smith, who we wrote about in the pre-blow show as being a potential factor today, gets the stop and San Francisco punts!
Kickoff
And the NFC Championship is underway! Green Bay won the toss and they defer.
The Packers kick it out of the endzone and here comes Jimmy Garoppolo starting at his 25! Let’s go!!
National Anthem
OK, try not to freak out buyt Boyz II Men are singing the national anthem, right now, and it’s phenomenal! Donning Niners uniforms, which is not very East Coast Family like, they do a phenomenal job, as the jets fly over Levi’s® Stadium and the crowd goes wild!
It’s a 9/10 easy!
Kickoff is moments away - stick with us!
Prediction time!
There are way too many people on San Francisco for this game to go easy for the 49ers. Yeah, they are blazing fast, and they can score a million ways, and they can get pressure with their front four and can clog the passing lanes, and yeah, the tight end has the most receiving yards of any tight end in NFL history through three seasons. Sure. But, don’t the football Gods want a rematch of Super Bowl I, or as it was known, the AFL–NFL World Championship Game? Isn’t Aaron Rodgers still really good? Are the really going to get blown out? Can they win?
I think the answer is yes yes yes!
Packers 27-20 - print it!
Meanwhile, the wife is suddenly very curious about the NFL. Maybe it’s because I’ve taken over the TV - she’s non stop!
Where’s Tom what’s his name, the one who always wins? And why do they keep saying Janeane Garofalo?
Rice moving around well pre-game. Am told it’s a toss up on whether he plays at this point. pic.twitter.com/F7N7eOXlqf
— Conor Orr 🐟 (@ConorOrr) January 19, 2020
Sure, Jerry Rice looks good, but apparently Jimmy Garoppolo looks even better.
He’s very good looking.
-my wife, just now
Vegas!
How do the Packers pull this thing off? Well, that’s Matt LeFleur’s job, but one thing we do know is that virtually nobody thinks they can. Just look at the Vegas numbers - a 7.5 point spread in the NFC Championship game is a hefty number indeed.
But in short, Green Bay’s defense needs to make a play early, take the crowd out of the game, and deliver a mesdsage-sending cut above an eye, and as fast as possible. Green Bay are not the sexy choice here, this we know, but heck, they did go 13-3 and do have some horses, especially on defense, to deliver.
Green Bay need to ride the Smiths, Preston and Za’Darius, who had their way with Seattle’s offensive line to the tune of 18 combined QB pressures last week. Jimmy G hasn’t experienced a whole lot of adversity this season: bring some imbalance to that incredibly balanced offense and hope that Rogers has more than 100 passing yards this time around - that’s the only way this is going to work.
Updated
To Miami!
Andy Reid is heading to his second Super Bowl and he’s taking the Kansas City Chiefs with him after their 35-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Read all about it right here:
Now, who will they face? We’ll find out shortly, the start of the NFC Championship draws even closer...
The Last time
In case you were wondering just how bad that thrashing was just eight weeks ago, here, see for yourself. It was pretty thorough. Aaron Rodgers was hit 10 times and sacked five. Meanwhile, the Niners , who were missing Breida, shredded Green Bay defense with Jimmy G making just 20 throws, racking up over 250 yards with two touchdowns and zero picks.
Since then San Francisco have gotten back three other starters that didn’t play that day.
Gulp.
Updated
Hola!
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the NFC Championship game! The San Francisco 49ers are about an hour away from hosting the Green Bay Packers, with the winner set to cross the continent to Miami for Super Bowl LIV (54).
We’re really excited to have you with us but can I give you a little advice? For now, stick with the Chiefs and Titans and our live blogger extraordinaire, Hunter Felt, who is monitoring the AFC Championship for us. Once that’s done, come back and read this little spiel below about the Niners and Packers, and get ready for the big game at Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara.
So, that spiel: we’re lucky to have got two marquee quarterbacks to entertain us this evening (morning, afternoon): 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers and the kid, Jimmy Garoppolo, who isn’t really a kid at age 28, who is playing on this stage for the first time.
All Jimmy G has done since moving from being a would-be successor to Tom Brady in New England to the helm of the 49ers offense is go 22-5, in-between an ACL injury which kept him out for most of 2018. With a win today, Garoppolo takes another leap towards the top of the next generation quarterback class.
And San Francisco should win this game, because they have more than enough weapons to do so convincingly. San Francisco’s dynamic offense have the personnel to win any way they like. For example, head coach Kyle Shanahan could punch up a run heavy game plan featuring their three-headed rushing attack of Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida, a trio that combined for close to 2000 yards this season. Or, should Green Bay stack the line, San Francisco could easily lean on Garoppolo, who has the luxury of George Kittle, a tight end who is nearly impossible to tackle, and is literally out there seeking out walls to run through.
Defensively San Francisco can pressure the quarterback with just four lineman, which could mean a tough day for Aaron Rodgers. The 15-year veteran is the last of the old generation standing - Brady, Brees Roethlisberger, two Manning brothers, Rivers and other old raisins are either retired, or almost retired, and are certainly not here playing for a shot at the Super Bowl. That’s to his credit, as Rodgers put together a 13-3 season featuring over 4000 yards passing and 26 touchdown tosses against only four picks. Green Bay looked pretty good last week against a Seattle team that had divisional round defeat written all over them.
You know when Green Bay didn’t look so good? Back in week 12, when these very same Niners held Rodgers to just 81 yards passing.
Final score: 37-8.
So the question heading into this rematch is, what did Packers head coach Matt LeFleur learn from that shellacking, and what can he conjure up to turn that result 180 degrees the other way. In a few hours time we’ll know if LeFleur and the Packers have enough to put Rodgers in a position to win his second Super Bowl ring, or, if Jimmy G will be heading to Miami for a shot at his first.
We’re getting closer to kickoff and we’ll soon be rolling in more pre-game fun including predictions.
What’s your incredibly hot take on the NFC Championship?
Feel free to share: tweet me on @lengeldavid or email it to david.lengel.freelance@guardian.co.uk and we’ll make you famous!
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David will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s our preview of today’s game:
What the Packers need to do to win:
As Oliver Connolly pointed out in these pages, Green Bay are no longer in a position in which they need to rely solely on Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer is still vital though, and if he can pull off the ice-cool third-down throws he made against the Seahawks it could help decide a close game. Green Bay, however, were terrible in those scenarios the last time they played the 49ers, a 37-8 blowout in November. In that game, the Niners limited the Packers to one third-down conversion from 15 attempts. That’s where the Packers offensive line come in: they’ll have to stop the 49ers’ terrifying defensive line – stacked with first-round draft picks – from getting to Rodgers or stymying running back Aaron Jones in short-yardage situations.
What the 49ers need to do to win: Prior to this campaign, San Francisco hadn’t had a winning season since 2013, but their awesome defense, which has been painstakingly and brilliantly constructed over a number of years, have helped turn things around. Much like Mahomes with the Chiefs, if they play to their abilities they should be able to shut the Packers down.
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