- 49ers WR Deebo Samuel left the game early due to a shoulder injury
- Packers QB Jordan Love threw a terrible interception that decided the game
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The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 24-21 in an epic Divisional playoff game on Saturday night, with Christian McCaffrey scoring two touchdowns and leading his team to a dramatic victory.
After spending the entire regular season as the front-runner, the Niners (13-5) had to come from behind for a change, and Brock Purdy and McCaffrey did just enough on the final drive to lead San Francisco to its third straight NFC Championship Game to steer. The Niners will host the winner of Sunday’s game between Tampa Bay and Detroit next weekend for a spot in the Super Bowl.
The Packers were the first team to earn a spot on the scoreboard after a 29-yard field goal by Anders Carlson gave them a 3–0 lead that lasted the rest of the first quarter.
San Francisco was able to bounce back in the second quarter and take the lead after 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy found tight end Greg Kittle deep downfield for a 32-yard touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.
Another 29-yard field goal from Carson brought the Packers to within one point before the 49ers finally missed a field goal just before halftime ended and the game went into halftime.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional playoff round
49ers RB Christian McCaffery scored the two touchdowns, including the game winner
The 49ers had to fight for the win and came from behind to beat the Packers and advance
49ers WR Deebo Samuel was ruled out of the game for the second half due to a shoulder injury
During the break, 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a shoulder injury – something that will be a concern for San Francisco as they move forward.
Samuel had left the match during the first half and was eventually declared doubtful to return. He emerged from the locker room without a helmet and shoulder pads and it was said that more imaging was being performed on the shoulder.
Shortly after the start of the third quarter, Samuel was officially ruled out due to the shoulder injury. He had also missed two games during the regular season due to the shoulder, although it was not confirmed whether it was the same problem or a separate injury.
Not long into the third quarter, Green Bay took the lead with their first touchdown after Bo Melton caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Love after a San Francisco defender slipped and fell in pass coverage.
Green Bay took a brief 13-7 lead, although it didn’t last long.
Just about two minutes later, 49ers running back McCaffrey broke off a huge gain for a 39-yard rushing touchdown, putting the 49ers ahead by one point again as the scoreboard read 14-13.
After the 49ers’ touchdown, Green Bay got great field position thanks to a 73-yard kick return that was almost thrown away.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love made a terrible interception that decided the game late
Love finished the night 21-34 for 194 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions
Green Bay turned their hot start into their second touchdown of the quarter after Love connected with tight end Tucker Kraft on a two-yard TD pass. A successful two-point play put the Packers up 21-14 midway through the quarter.
San Francisco opened the fourth quarter by cutting to 21-17 after Jake Moody converted a 52-yard field goal.
Finally, after a long drawn-out fourth quarter, McCaffrey scored the crucial touchdown to take the lead with just a minute left and give San Francisco a 24-21 lead.
The game was ultimately decided when Love made a terrible decision and threw a ball deep down the field and over his body – breaking the No. 1 rule on the list of things a QB should never do – and was intercepted with less than a minute to go. the clock.
The 49ers will face the winner of Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.