Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (left) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver (29) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers could have been a San Francisco 49er, but the 49ers picked Alex Smith instead. Now, he and the Packers, the only NFC team in the Divisional Round the last three years, have a chance to get revenge, as they take on Aldon Smith and the 49ers. Justin Smith isn’t 100 percent, but he will play for the 49ers. Can the 49ers win and advance to the NFC Championship Game? Find out with updates here.
#49ers advance to NFC Championship Game in one of the best playoff performances in recent NFL history
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) January 13, 2013
49ers win 45-31. Will play the winner of SEA vs. ATL. If ATL wins, it will be AT ATL.
Justin Smith had a hell of a game. Another miracle of modern medicine.
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) January 13, 2013
Touchdown Packers. Rodgers to Jennings. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
the SF win in Week 1 has nothing to do with the loss tonight. Except they both were painful to watch.
— Andrew Garda (@Andrew_Garda) January 13, 2013
Seems like a week ago that Kaepernick threw an interception returned for a touchdown on the fourth play of this game.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 13, 2013
You win championships through draft. ’07: Willis, Staley, Goldson. ’09: Crabtree. ’10: A. Davis, Iupati, Bowman. ’11: A. Smith, Kaepernick.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2013
The #49ers‘ last three scoring drives have gone 80, 93 and 93 yards.#Packers
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 13, 2013
49ers’ 581 total yards is 4th-most in playoff history [NO 626 vs. DET in 2012, SD 610 vs. BOS 1964, WAS 602 vs. DEN 1987].
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 13, 2013
San Francisco-Touchdown, short run by RB Anthony Dixon. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
The only Hall of Fame RBs w. more rushing yards in a playoff game than Kaepernick: Dickerson (248), Allen (191),Thomas (186), Riggins (185).
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 13, 2013
#49ers have set franchise postseason record for most yards in a game. #QuestforSix
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 13, 2013
Alex Smith had 179 rushing yards last year … for the season. And that was his career high. Puts what Kaepernick is doing in perspective.
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) January 13, 2013
#49ers Colin Kaepernick has NFL record for rushing yards by a QB in a game (179). Michael Vick had 173 on 12-1-02.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 13, 2013
This defensive scheme killed #49ers against Pats
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) January 13, 2013
The 49ers’ 258 rushing yards are the most ever for the 49ers in the postseason.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 13, 2013
San Francisco went 93 yards in 5 minutes and it’s #49ers 38 #Packers 24.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 13, 2013
TOUCHDOWN — Frank Gore, pushes in for 2-yard run and 38-24 lead for #49ers
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 13, 2013
At the end of three quarters, #49ers lead 31-24 and have the ball 1st and goal from the 2. #GBvsSF #QuestforSix
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 13, 2013
Could feel that one coming. Vernon Davis so due for big play.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@espn_nfcwest) January 13, 2013
Looks like nice job by Joe Staley playing hurt against Clay Matthews.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@espn_nfcwest) January 13, 2013
Ryan Pickett walking off the field with trainers. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick only threw 5 passes last season. By baseball standards he’d be a rookie. And now he’s doing this in a playoff game?
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) January 13, 2013
Chris Culliver back in the game …
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 13, 2013
On 3rd down, Rodgers scrambles for a 1st down. At the GB 37 now. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick has more yards rushing (163) and passing (172) than Aaron Rodgers has passing (152). #49ers
— Kyle Bonagura (@KyleBonagura) January 13, 2013
The NFL record of 172 is held by Michael Vick
Kaepernick has only 9 more yards passing than rushing right now — 172#49ers
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick’s 163 yards rushing are most for a QB in NFL postseason history.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2013
New NFL record:
Kaepernick with a QB keeper plays the fake perfectly and goes 56 yd for the TD#49ers
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick born in Milwaukee. Rodgers born Chico, CA. Both made Travis Ishikawaish location changes.
— Batting Stance Guy (@BattingStanceG) January 13, 2013
Another touchback on a Crosby kick. @49ers will start at the 20. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
Game tied at 24 with 8:25 left in the 3rd quarter
That’s the best Rodgers has looked vs. the 49ers D in either game this season.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2013
Wowzers! Packers fortunate again on the fumble, but obviously that false start penalty was brutal.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) January 13, 2013
Thing about #49ers defense is that it’s so tough to consistently beat them. Punching this in for Green Bay won’t be easy.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 13, 2013
Packers doing a good job disguising run just from a personnel standpoint. (Cobb in the backfield)
— Kyle Bonagura (@KyleBonagura) January 13, 2013
With Packers going with four wides and lining up Cobb in backfield, Perrish Cox has been on for Bowman. And now Bowman re-enters.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2013
#Packers made half time adjustments
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) January 13, 2013
Not talked about a lot, but Newhouse did a good job against Justin Smith in Week One as well.
— Aaron Nagler (@Aaron_Nagler) January 13, 2013
#Packers starting field possession: their own … 20, 20, 7, 20, 11. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 13, 2013
#Packers will start their drive at the GB 11. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
Charles Woodson breaks up a 3rd down pass. Niners will punt. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
Chris Culliver (cramps) probable to return for #49ers
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 13, 2013
#Packers scored TDs on their first possession of the second half in the last five games. #49ers allowed 10 points on such drives this year.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 13, 2013
Willis comes back on 3rd down and sacks Rodgers
For first time in game, Perrish Cox enters as dime back and LB Patrick Willis exits.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2013
#Packers allowed 202 yards rushing to QBs in reg season. Kaepernick had 107 in 1st half for #49ers
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick should break the playoff record
NFL records for QB rushing in a single game: 173 for any game, 119 for a playoff game, both held by Michael Vick. Kaep should get the latter
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) January 13, 2013
Here we go: Start of the second half
Crabtree has come up big tonight:
Kaepernick is doing it all for the 49ers:
Colin Kaepernick has scrambled 5 times for 75 yards and a TD, already his single-game high for scramble yards this season. #GBvsSF
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2013
And now, I turn things over to editor Jake Dal Porto.
I’ve got SF winning 38-35. Close game, just like the first one.
The #49ers are 7 for 10 on third down. #Packers 2 of 4.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick 1stH: 11-23 148 tds, 2 TDs, INT — 11 carries for 107 yds & TD
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) January 13, 2013
I’ll take it. He’s calmed down. Some drops too, and we wouldn’t be scoring 24 with Alex.
49ers have 313 total yards, Packers 152. Time of possession: 49ers 21:47, Packers 8:13.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2013
That pick-6 was important, though.
Akers FG = Good … all because @jennings141 snaps it like a machine. #BJen
— Brian Murphy (@knbrmurph) January 13, 2013
Give Akers credit, though. Big kick.
Not perfect, but got it through.
24-21. Akers is good from 36. Halftime, and we’ve got a good one!
TO Packers, 3 seconds left. 24-21 or 21-21 at halftime, unless GB blocks it.
Akers coming on.He’ll nail it
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) January 13, 2013
Hmm.
Inconsistent is a very generous description of Akers.
Kaep runs for 9, short of the 1st down. Akers going to kick from 35 or 36.
Walker drops pass at GB 21, 3rd down. Trying to keep Akers off the field here.
Can’t fault Capers for blitzing Kaepernick. He struggled in back-to-back weeks against the blitz to finish 2012.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) January 13, 2013
SF calls timeout, 40 seconds in first half at GB 27.
Kaep overthrows Moss in the end zone.
49ers driving. Kaep doing a great job scrambling with his legs.
Kaepernick 90 rating, 98 yards rushing
— Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) January 13, 2013
Update on the score: 49ers 21, Packers 21. Kaepernick with a TD pass to Crabtree, Rodgers responds with a strike to James Jones.
Tarell Brown with an INT on an overthrown deep ball! Takes it back to midfield! SF ball!
Rodgers 2/6 for 51 yards.
Rodgers throws it away.
Harris up the middle for 2 or 3.
PI on Culliver, looks like the right call. 1st down GB.
Rodgers throws right side to Nelson, incomplete, but PI.
Justin Smith fought through double team to make that tackle at 9-yard line #onearmbandit
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 13, 2013
Yeah, he helps.
Harris up the middle for a yard or 2.
Throws to the wrong team only occasionally. RT @scottostler You have to like Kaepernick’s presence. No panic. Waits for stuff to develop.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2013
The one time he did that tonight proved pretty costly.
#Packers will start their drive at the GB 6-yard line. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
And it is. Bad field position.
Flag down, Cobb at the 22. Probably on GB.
Cobbs back. SHOCKING
— Andrew Garda (@Andrew_Garda) January 13, 2013
Aww, darn. No more Jeremy Ross.
49ers needed a TD there and Kaepernick and Crabtree give it to them. Field goals ain’t going to do it tonight.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2013
Field goals don’t win even if they’re made, which they often aren’t.
Akers boots PAT through. Great job so far keeping Akers off the field and scoring TDs.
Kap to Crabtree. Touchdown. That has the makings of a great connection for years to come.
— Kyle Bonagura (@KyleBonagura) January 13, 2013
Slant to Crabtree over the middle then into the end zone! TD SF!
Kaep loses a few on the early snap. Goodwin snapped early as Kaep checked at the line.
Matthews bats a pass by Kaep, probably saving a TD, and knocks it down. Great play.
Cal product dropped it and the 49ers scooped it up!
Ross muffs it! Spillman recovers inside the 10!!!!!
Short pass to Gore for 1 or 2. Niners punt.
Kaepernick sailing some throws early. He’ll calm down the more Harbaugh lets him throw.
— Aaron Nagler (@Aaron_Nagler) January 13, 2013
We’ll see. Looks nervous.
3rd and 7.
hellooooo is Vernon Davis here?
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) January 13, 2013
First quarter yardage: 49ers 156, Packers 87.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2013
Walker drops short pass. 2nd and 10.
Crabtree makes a catch over the middle for five, runs sideline after the catch for 9.
Gore right side for 5 yards.
#Packers 14, #49ers 7 after 1Q. More scoring to come, in all 3 phases.
— Monte Poole (@1MontePoole) January 13, 2013
End of the 1st. 14-7 Pack lead.
Crosby kicks it through the back of the end zone again. @49ers start at the 20. #GBvsSF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 13, 2013
RT @hubbuchnyp: DuJuan Harris was actually selling cars a few months ago. What’s the TD celebration for a car salesman?
— Andrew Garda (@Andrew_Garda) January 13, 2013
Wow.
Found a hole, broke a tackle, 14-7.
Harris runs up the middle. TD.
James Jones makes an amazing catch on a deep ball! Bobbled and holds on in the red zone!
3rd and 5 GB.
Up the middle on 3rd and 1
1st down Harris.
49ers punt, it rolls into the end zone
Overthrew Moss to the end zone. 3rd and long.
1st down right side to Moss. Moss bobbled, but caught it. 1st down at the GB 40!
Kaep to Moss for 11. 1st down.
Kaep runs right side on an option for 13. 1st down.
Gore runs for 4.
Kaep runs for 4. 2nd and 6 at the 17.
Ginn takes it out to the 50., Flag down.
Incomplete and a punt coming.
Incomplete to DuJuan Harris, 3rd and 3.
8-yard pass right side to Jennings.
PAck start at the 20.
Saw a hole, bolted, kept going to the end zone!
Kaep scrambles for a TD!!!
Timeout SF.
Handoff to gore to the 20, 3rd and 8.
CK7 sacked back at the 29. Matthews in on it.
Gore caught the pass, found a hole and made a move inside. 1st down SF!!
3rd and 10 to Gore goes inside the GB 25!!!
Kaep to Crab incomplete.
PI on GB. 1st down. Intended for Crabtree.
Kaep scrambles for a few. 3rd and 1.
Gore runs for 4 from the 20. 2nd and 6.
Davis was there, but Kaep waited too long. Shields jumped it and got the TD.
PAT good. 7-0 GB.
Jumped a short route and took it back.
Bad start. Pick-6 by GB. Sam Shields.
Ginn Jr. not doing a great job returning punts either. 49ers fans do NOT want NFC Title deja vu.
Special teams key here. Both Ks struggling.
Akers has struggled. Will it matter?
Packers and 49ers back onto the field to re-warm up.
— Kyle Bonagura (@KyleBonagura) January 13, 2013
Kaepernick is a playoff rookie, and Gore has been key. Play-calling has been an issue, so a lot is on Roman’s hands.
49ers need to establish the run. Kaep CANNOT do it alone.
I’m going with SF 24-17. Close, low-scoring, intense game.
Kickoff has been moved back to 5:25 PT as the Broncos vs. Ravens are still playing…
GB played Joe Webb and the Vikings last week. Webb runs a lot, like Kaep.
56 combined postseason wins among these teams. It will be 57 after tonight, but one team will be losing. By the way, SF has 26 and GB has 30.
Rodgers career playoff passer rating: 105.4, and he’s 5-2. Kaepernick has never played in the playoffs.
Mason Crosby has made under 70 percent of his FGs this year, but he’s made his last six playoff kicks.
Gore ran for 112 on 16 carries and scored a TD in Week 1. Kaepernick also had a big run, but he didn’t start.
Green Bay is averaging 30.7 PPG over their last six. SF has allowed 29.7 in their last 3….not good for the 49ers there. But the D only allowed 15 vs GB in Week 1. Cobb took a punt back as well.
49ers beat the Packers 30-22 earlier. Can they do it again?
Topics: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Justin Smith, NFL, San Francisco 49ers
Jake Dal Porto is a student from the Bay Area. He has followed Bay Area sports for years, and enjoys writing about the various Bay Area teams. He is an assistant editor at Golden Gate Sports, and the editor of Blue Man Hoop. Jake also writes about the NBA for Hoops Habit. If you need to contact Jake, email him: 
All Bay Area Sports
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Raiders
Oakland Athletics
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco 49ers
San Jose Sharks
