Ever because coach Jim Harbaugh gave second-year quarterbackColin Kaepernick the beginning nod above hot-handed Alex Smith, the query has hovered more than the 49ers like a cloud.
Did Harbaugh make the best choice?
The potent and elusive Kaepernick supplied a resounding response Saturday evening by using a record-setting functionality in the 45-31 victory in excess of the Packers within a divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park.
On the evening when Kaepernick became Keepernick, the 49ers quarterback torched the Packers with his arm and his feet, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for two.
He scored on runs of twenty and 56 yards. The 56-yarder was the longest run by a quarterback within the playoffs, surpassing a 51-yard run from the Titans' Steve McNair in Jan. 2000.
"Guy's taking part in football, guy, he's which makes it come about," 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree mentioned of Kaepernick. "He's a playmaker."
Kaepernick also shattered Michael Vick's mark of 119 yards rushing -- the preceding postseason rushing record by a quarterback -- using a game-high 181 yards on 16 carries.
"The offense that we've got generates quite a bit of confusion along with the quarterback we've who can run as quickly as he can," explained tackle Joe Staley, a part of an offense that gained 323 yards within the ground and 579 complete. "He may also throw the ball downfield. We desire to move the chains any way we are able to, but it is terrific to move the ball with all the ground game."
Kaepernick received off to a bumpy commence ¡§C his 2nd pass was intercepted and run back 52 yards to get a touchdown ¡§C but he in no way lost his composure, upstaging Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the NFL's reigning most worthwhile player.
"Anytime your teammates have self-confidence in you plus they really feel excellent about what you happen to be carrying out, it helps make you're feeling like you happen to be executing the best items," Kaepernick stated.
The Packers have been outscored 21-0, within the 2nd half and had two turnovers that led to 49ers touchdowns.
"It's quite aggravating," mentioned Rodgers, who threw for 257 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. "To go out and perform like that is certainly disappointing. We did not do adequate on offense to assist our defense."
To the 2nd consecutive season, San Francisco has innovative on the NFC championship game in which it is going to encounter the winner of Sunday's game concerning the Seahawks and Falcons.
"They competed like maniacs," Harbaugh stated of his gamers, "and now we have received yet another week of function."
It had been a large day for your Harbaugh family members, with Jim's older brother, John, coaching the Ravens to a double-overtime win at Denver.
"That was a genuine football battle," Jim stated from the Ravens' 38-35 victory. "Had an opportunity to view a few of it just before our game. Really feel terrific for John and his crew."
The Packers saw their season open and near with losses towards the 49ers. They dropped their opener to San Francisco 30-22 at Lambeau Field.
Saturday's rematch featured Rodgers, a 49ers fan in Northern California who wore a Joe Montana T-shirt below his pads being a kid, and Kaepernick, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up idolizing Brett Favre.
Crabtree caught two touchdown passes for your 49ers, and Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon every ran for any score.
In spite of it becoming his initial postseason begin, Kaepernick was unflappable, even right after the pick-six interception to begin the game. He came back around the up coming possession and orchestrated an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 20-yard keeper to get a
touchdown. That came on third-and-8, and -- contrary to his longer touchdown run -- was not a planned run for him.
"Man-to-man coverage, they doubled Crab, broke down and I saw a operating lane," the quarterback explained having a shrug.
Place just by Packers receiver Greg Jennings: "We lost to a much better crew now."
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