GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 22: San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) runs after a catch in opposition to Inexperienced Bay Packers’ Preston Smith (91) within the second quarter for his or her NFC divisional playoff NFL recreation at Lambeau Area in Inexperienced Bay, Wi., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
The Inexperienced Bay Packers had an All-Professional quarterback, one of many recreation’s greatest broad receivers and a ferocious, well-rested protection that quieted a rugged 49ers’ offense all through Saturday’s NFC Divisional Spherical matchup at Lambeau Area.
Due to gorgeous particular groups heroics, the 49ers gained anyway.
A blocked subject purpose took away three Packers’ factors and a protracted kickoff return arrange the 49ers’ first scoring drive, however it was Jordan Willis’ sensational blocked punt and rookie Talanoa Hufanga’s subsequent return for a game-tying landing that overshadowed each different play in a outstanding 13-10 upset victory for Kyle Shanahan’s group.
With the 49ers trailing by seven factors and struggling to seek out any sense of rhythm on offense late within the fourth quarter, Willis busted via the guts of the Packers’ line on a Inexperienced Bay punt and single-handedly put the momentum in San Francisco’s favor with a play that can stay on in franchise lore.
In a becoming, last-second end, veteran kicker Robbie Gould struck a 45-yard subject purpose via the uprights to ship the 49ers into subsequent weekend’s NFC Championship Recreation.
STUDS
Richard Hightower: Far too many followers know the title of the 49ers’ particular groups coach and it’s as a result of his items have been among the many worst within the NFL all season. Towards a Inexperienced Bay group that’s really been worse on particular groups this season, Hightower’s teams delivered a number of big moments as Jimmie Ward blocked a subject purpose proper earlier than halftime earlier than Samuel opened the second half with a 45-yard kickoff return.
With the 49ers’ hopes dwindling, Willis fought via the Packers’ punt unit for the particular groups play of the 12 months as his block led to the rookie Hufanga scooping up a free ball and scoring a game-tying landing with underneath 5 minutes to play.
Deebo Samuel: The self-proclaimed “broad again” has confirmed he doesn’t want a standard position to have an outsized impression on a recreation and the 49ers’ showdown with the Packers was solely the newest instance of Samuel’s greatness. The 1,000-yard receiver completed with three catches for 44 yards, however noticed extra touches within the run recreation as he carried 10 occasions for 39 yards whereas additionally mixing in a 45-yard kickoff return on particular groups to arrange the 49ers’ first scoring drive.
DeMeco Ryans: The primary-year 49ers’ defensive coordinator was already on the radar of a handful of groups looking for their subsequent head coach and it’s more and more clear it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Ryans receives a possibility to steer a franchise. His scheme wasn’t good on Saturday in opposition to Rodgers, Adams and the Packers, however Ryans did all the things in his energy to present the 49ers a possibility to win in opposition to the highest seed within the NFC. Ryans’ unit made great strides over the course of the season and Saturday’s recreation was a testomony to how arduous his gamers work on his behalf.
Nick Bosa: One of many NFL’s elite go rushers was questionable for a lot of the week as he was identified with a concussion throughout the 49ers’ win over the Cowboys on Sunday, however was cleared for motion on Friday and turned in an excellent effort on the sting as he produced two sacks of Aaron Rodgers together with one which prevented Inexperienced Bay from advancing deep into the 49ers’ purple zone close to the tip of the primary half.
Arik Armstead: Completely putting in Armstead within the inside of the 49ers’ defensive entrance was some of the crucial choices Ryans made this season and the veteran lineman had the most effective nights of his profession in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. Armstead had a pair of second-half sacks, together with one late within the fourth quarter that preceded Willis’ blocked punt.
Fred Warner: The 49ers’ star linebacker expressed disappointment together with his play at occasions throughout the first half of the season, however he was nails on Saturday night in Inexperienced Bay as Warner received his group again within the recreation with a large pressured fumble in opposition to Packers tight finish Marcedes Lewis and impressed play in opposition to each the run and the go.
DUDS
Crimson zone offense: The 49ers price themselves in main methods within the purple zone at Lambeau Area as Jimmy Garoppolo’s worst throw of the evening got here on a brutal interception close to the tip of the primary half. With San Francisco lastly mounting a driving in opposition to Inexperienced Bay’s protection, Garoppolo scrambled to his proper and made an ill-advised try for tight finish George Kittle that changed into a straightforward interception for Packers security Adrian Amos.
On the 49ers’ first drive of the second half, rookie working again Elijah Mitchell was referred to as for a back-breaking 15-yard facemask penalty as he bullied his approach contained in the 5-yard line on one other promising drive. The penalty pushed the 49ers backward and San Francisco was finally pressured to accept a Robbie Gould subject purpose.
With San Francisco in determined want of a game-tying landing drive within the fourth quarter, the 49ers once more entered the purple zone and confronted 4th and 1 from the Packers’ 19-yard line earlier than Mitchell was stuffed on an inside run play up the center. Shanahan’s play name required left sort out Trent Williams to report as eligible and go in movement to his proper, however the motion did nothing to idiot Inexperienced Bay’s entrance, which snuffed out the run and as soon as once more owned the road of scrimmage.
Tom Compton: The 49ers’ proper sort out was a good substitute throughout the second half of the season for injured starter Mike McGlinchey, however Compton was typically uncovered as a go blocker and that was the case all through Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Packers. Inexperienced Bay edge rusher Rashan Gary had his approach with Compton, who allowed two third-down sacks within the first half that pressured 49ers’ punts.
Laken Tomlinson: The sometimes stout 49ers’ left guard had one in every of his worst video games with the group as, like Compton, Tomlinson allowed a pair of third-down sacks, together with one to defensive sort out Kenny Clark on a drive-stalling play late within the third quarter.