49ers edge past Packers for NFC Championship

San Fransisco 49ers Win in nail biting thriller over Packers with 24-21 score

49ers didnt get the start they were looking for. After taking the lead on the first drive, the Green Bay Packers ran 14 plays for more over seven and a half minutes. Three third downs were converted by Green Bay, one of which was helped by a defensive pass interference call against Ambry Thomas.

Romeo Doubs has been a key component of the offense and is the wide receiver that the Packers are targeting the most. Charvarius Ward overcame Doubs on third and 8 to break up a pass, forcing the Packers to settle for a field goal. After Ward stumbled, Doubs would ultimately get Ward for a spectacular play on the subsequent drive.

To put it mildly, the 49ers defense’s opening two drives were careless. The defense gave up the benefit of an ineligible lineman downfield, but it still let the Packers get close to the red zone. It was a defensive pass interference by Tashaun Gipson. After a screen throw, tight end Tucker Kraft gained a first down. Then, on second & 11, it appeared that Chase Young crashed inside rather than setting the edge, allowing the backup running back to gain 11 yards.

On a 4th & 1, it looked as though Packers quarterback Jordan Love had gained the first down via a quarterback sneak; however, Arik Armstead made his presence known by launching a pass; Nick Bosa also participated in the play, and Dre Greenlaw’s hit forced Love to miss, providing the defense with a crucial stop.

The Packers ran 24 plays and only managed three points after two possessions. That’s about all you can hope for throughout the playoffs.

Everybody is expecting more from the offensive. We believe they will always score. Deebo Samuel participated from the start of the game but left the field early in the second quarter. This came after he was allowed to return after leaving due to a head injury.

The initial drive did not proceed as expected. Spencer Burford began Jon Feliciano at right guard, but Aaron Banks made a mistaken first move. A Packers defender was hit by Purdy in the middle of the numbers, but he dropped it. Purdy was fired on the third and sixth, but it wasn’t because of the offensive line.

The team on the second drive appeared to be one we were more used to seeing. On the first drive, Christian McCaffrey got one carry. On the second drive, he had six. Purdy discovered Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings for double-digit improvements.

Then, on the third and fifth, Purdy discovered George Kittle racing across the field and down the middle. Kittle didn’t have to break stride, so it was the ideal pass, and the offense desperately needed the point.

They would require the points since Green Bay had no trouble moving the ball. After more than ten plays, the Packers were on their third drive. On the first play, Love found Jayden Reed for 27 yards. On third and 7, Doubs made a 22-yard gain by badly outgaining Thomas once more. The one thing you are unable to do is forfeit big plays. You have to drive the field with an offensive strategy.

Javon Hargrave put pressure on Love on third down to force another field goal, bringing the score to 7–6. Greenlaw made a play in the backfield on second down.

The third and last possession of the half would belong to San Francisco. The good news is that they spent four minutes on an 11-play drive. The bad news is that Kyle Shanahan had already decided to settle for a field goal after Jake Moody’s kick was blocked.

The offense used the two-minute warning to run just five plays. The interval between the first two plays was forty seconds. Yes, you do want to make sure the ball never ends up in the hands of the Packers. However, consider how effectively this team has thrown the ball over the whole season. Shanahan paid for it, assuming he would receive three points.

In the third quarter, the 49ers had three possessions and, for a total of 11 yards, went three and out on two of them. Three scores were tucked in between the two, two of which were from the Packers.

The opening points for Green Bay were scored during a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Once more, it was Ambry Thomas who was at fault for an inexplicable pass interference on third and 15. In the end zone, Love found Bo Melton wide open following a slip by Tashaun Gipson.

The special teams unit allowed a 73-yard kick return after McCaffrey burst into a 39-yard touchdown run and Kittle had a large gain. The Packers recovered the ball despite the returner’s blunder. After their successful two-point conversion, the Niners were behind 21–14.

There was a chance for the Packers to shut out the match. Love misdirected a ball on a third down at midfield, but Dre Greenlaw was there to save the day. With the ball at middle, the 49ers had a chance to equal the score.

Quiet player Brandon Aiyuk made a crucial third-down reception to advance the chains. During the drive, Purdy missed Kittle and McCaffrey and was off-target on a few of throws. Another third and 10 was presented to the offense after back-to-back incomplete passes.

Moody had to make another effort after Purdy climbed the pocket directly into the Green Bay rush. Jake’s successful kick reduced the margin to 21–17.

As expected, the Niners defense forced a three-and-out. On a nicely stacked toss over the center to Jennings, Purdy found Jauan Jennings, who gained 21 on third and 10. However, he faltered on a couple of throws throughout the drive, and that continued into the third and tenth. Ray-Ray McCloud got open deep while Deebo was not around. But Purdy airmailed the throw, missing horribly.

The Niners had hope when the rookie kicker for the Packers, who had missed more goals than anybody else this season, botched it from 41 yards out.

On the last drive, Purdy thought the lights were too bright. On the last journey, they were anything but that. Purdy made six of seven passes; Kittle’s drop was the only one that wasn’t completed. In traffic, Aiyuk made a spectacular catch on Third & 5. Chris Conley, of all people, ran a brilliant route for a gain of 17.

The 49ers led by a score from Christian McCaffrey, https://x.com/sportscorner921/status/1748922296033525965?s=20 and all the defense needed to do was make one stop. Just one.