Stephen Dunn
The 49ers have a chance to host the NFC Championship Game next week. They likely feel good about their chances with Colin Kaepernick on their side.
The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers were locked into a tight battle well into the third quarter, but a record-breaking performance from Colin Kaepernick allowed the 49ers to pull away for a 45-31 win. San Francisco moves on to the NFC Championship Game, where they will face either the Atlanta Falcons or Seattle Seahawks.
The game stated inauspiciously for Kaepernick, who threw a pick-six to Sam Shields to give Green Bay an early 7-0 lead. However, neither team was able to pull away in the first half, and the 49ers went into halftime with a slim 24-21 lead. Green Bay would tie the game in the third quarter, but three straight touchdowns from San Francisco put the game away.
Kaepernick set NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in any game at 181, and also broke a team record for rushing yards in a playoff game. The 49ers also set a new team record for total yards in a playoff game at 579.
Frank Gore also went over 100 yards on the ground for San Francisco, ending the game with 119 and a touchdown. Michael Crabtree had nine catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns to lead the team's receiving corps.
Aaron Rodgers went 26-39 for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception for Green Bay. DuJuan Harris led the team with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the Packers weren't really able to establish a rhythm on the ground. James Jones was the team's leading receiver with 87 yards on two catches, and hauled in a touchdown.
Box Score Hero: Who could it be but Kaepernick? The young signal-caller broke a host of records in his first playoff game, going 17-of-31 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and also rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. It was a comprehensively dominant performance.
Injury report: 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley appeared to sustain an arm injury, but managed to play through it. Cornerback Chris Culliver left the game with cramping issues.
Did they cover? The 49ers were three-point favorites entering the game, according to OddsShark.com, so they covered the spread easily.
Next: The 49ers will move on to play the winner of the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. If the Falcons win, the 49ers will travel to Atlanta, but they will host the game if Seattle can win.


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