Ever due to the fact coach Jim Harbaugh gave second-year quarterbackColin Kaepernick the beginning nod in excess of hot-handed Alex Smith, the query has hovered more than the 49ers like a cloud.
Did Harbaugh make the correct determination?
The strong and elusive Kaepernick provided a resounding response Saturday evening by using a record-setting functionality in the 45-31 victory more than the Packers within a divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park.
On the evening when Kaepernick became Keepernick, the 49ers quarterback torched the Packers with his arm and his feet, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for two.
He scored on runs of twenty and 56 yards. The 56-yarder was the longest run by a quarterback within the playoffs, surpassing a 51-yard run through the Titans' Steve McNair in Jan. 2000.
"Guy's taking part in football, guy, he's which makes it transpire," 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree explained of Kaepernick. "He's a playmaker."
Kaepernick also shattered Michael Vick's mark of 119 yards rushing -- the past postseason rushing record by a quarterback -- having a game-high 181 yards on 16 carries.
"The offense that we've got generates quite a bit of confusion along with the quarterback we've who can run as quick as he can," explained tackle Joe Staley, a part of an offense that gained 323 yards to the ground and 579 complete. "He could also throw the ball downfield. We wish to move the chains any way we will, but it really is excellent to move the ball with all the ground game."
Kaepernick received off to a bumpy commence ¡§C his 2nd pass was intercepted and run back 52 yards for any touchdown ¡§C but he never ever lost his composure, upstaging Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the NFL's reigning most important player.
"Anytime your teammates have self-assurance in you and so they really feel superior about what you are accomplishing, it can make you're feeling like you are accomplishing the proper elements," Kaepernick stated.
The Packers had been outscored 21-0, during the 2nd half and had two turnovers that led to 49ers touchdowns.
"It's fairly aggravating," stated Rodgers, who threw for 257 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. "To go out and perform like which is disappointing. We did not do adequate on offense to aid our defense."
For that 2nd consecutive season, San Francisco has innovative for the NFC championship game the place it's going to encounter the winner of Sunday's game in between the Seahawks and Falcons.
"They competed like maniacs," Harbaugh stated of his gamers, "and now we have received yet another week of function."
It had been a large day for your Harbaugh family members, with Jim's older brother, John, coaching the Ravens to a double-overtime win at Denver.
"That was a true football battle," Jim explained in the Ravens' 38-35 victory. "Had an opportunity to view a few of it in advance of our game. Really feel wonderful for John and his crew."
The Packers saw their season open and near with losses to your 49ers. They dropped their opener to San Francisco 30-22 at Lambeau Field.
Saturday's rematch featured Rodgers, a 49ers fan in Northern California who wore a Joe Montana T-shirt below his pads being a kid, and Kaepernick, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up idolizing Brett Favre.
Crabtree caught two touchdown passes for that 49ers, and Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon every single ran to get a score.
Regardless of it getting his initial postseason begin, Kaepernick was unflappable, even just after the pick-six interception to begin the game. He came back about the up coming possession and orchestrated an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 20-yard keeper for the
touchdown. That came on third-and-8, and -- as opposed to his longer touchdown run -- was not a planned run for him.
"Man-to-man coverage, they doubled Crab, broke down and I saw a operating lane," the quarterback explained that has a shrug.
Place only by Packers receiver Greg Jennings: "We lost to a greater group nowadays."
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