49ers survive Packers, advance to NFC Championship: Rapid reactions

The San Francisco 49ers flirted with disaster and came close to being the victims of an upset. They played poorly most of the game and were giving off some huge 1987 vibes. That was the year the 49ers had the number-one offense and the number-one defense, were the top seed in the NFC, and lost their first postseason game to a team they should have beaten convincingly.

But the real 49ers showed up late in the 4th quarter when QB Brock Purdy led his team on a game-winning touchdown drive. Then the defense answered by getting a turnover and putting the game away. And now the 49ers are headed to their third straight NFC Championship, and fourth in the last five years.


Here are my rapid reactions—my live notes from the game as it unfolded.

• Not the best start for the run defense. And they weren't that effective for much of the game. Packers' running back, Aaron Jones, rushed for over 100 yards. That was the first time the 49ers have surrendered 100 yards to a running back in over 50 games.
• The defense gave up a long opening drive (14 plays), but Charvarius Ward broke up the pass in the end zone to force a Green Bay field goal. Ward continues to play at a high level.

• I'm not sure why Kyle Shanahan didn't run the ball more on the 49ers opening drive. The field and the ball were wet, and Purdy had been off for a couple of weeks.

• Two Green Bay drives. Two pass interference penalties. That wasn't good.
• Two Green Bay drives. Two first downs because a defender slipped and fell. That wasn't good either.
• Logan Ryan got the start at safety instead of rookie Ji'Ayir Brown. That's not too surprising. A veteran with postseason experience over a rookie who didn't play much in the regular season.

• The run defense missed Clelin Ferrell. Chase Young was not very good.

• It was great having Jauan Jennings back. He stepped up huge in this game.
• Beautiful throw from Purdy on his touchdown pass to George Kittle.

• Deommodore Lenoir was punishing people out there.
• The 49ers need to upgrade from Ambry Thomas next season.
• All three of Green Bay's first-half possessions were 10 plays or more.
• The 49ers offense isn't the same without Deebo Samuel. Let's hope he's okay.
• I hate rain games. They're the great equalizer. The weather certainly seemed to help the Packers.
• Shanahan's clock management before the half was curious. I think the weather influenced what he did, making him more conservative than he normally would have been. He called plays on that drive like he did when Jimmy Garoppolo was the quarterback—scared. I think the weather, and Purdy's lack of accuracy was the reason Shanahan was so conservative.

• Shanahan's conservative approach didn't pay off. Jake Moody's field goal attempt was blocked.
• I think the rest versus rust question was answered in the first half. It was ugly.
• A run play to Jennings? When you have the best running back in the league on your team? Thats confusing.

• Ambry Thomas is terrible. Did I mention that already?

• Tashaun Gipson had a horrible game. He slipped and gave up a big touchdown.
• I still remember when the 49ers defense was good. They were up and down in this game.

• Good things happen with you get the ball to Christian McCaffrey.

• Why aren't the 49ers kicking the ball out of the end zone like they were? Their coverage unit is terrible.
• The special teams unit as a whole was bad in this game. And for much of the season.
• Purdy was not good in this game. Until he had to be.
• Dre Greenlaw's first interception was a big one.

• Unfortunately, the offense couldn't do anything with it. Purdy was just awful.
• Shanahan was bad, too.

• Nice job by Moody hitting the 52-yard field goal.
• Purdy can't throw a wet ball. That was a problem all night. But he led his team down the field for a go-ahead touchdown late in the game.
• Huge play by Greenlaw to win the game. But someone needs to teach him to go down.
• It was an ugly game by the 49ers, but a win is a win. And it was good for the 49ers to win a close, tough game like this.

The 49ers must be better next week. The way they played tonight will not work against the Detroit Lions. And maybe not the Tampa Bay Buccaneers either.

Regardless, the 49ers will host the NFC Championship Game next Sunday afternoon. They are two wins away from bringing a sixth Super Bowl title back to San Francisco.

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