49ers stun Packers 13-10 on walk-off field goal to advance to NFC Championship

Heading into Saturday night's Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reportedly expressed concern about his special teams unit, saying, "I just hope our special teams doesn't screw it up."

The result of Saturday night's game proved LaFleur's concern to be correct.

In a defensive struggle that saw the teams score just one offensive touchdown on a sub-freezing night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the 49ers overcame a mistake-filled offensive performance with the help of a stalwart performance on defense and a clutch showing by their special teams. The 49ers got a key blocked field goal and a shocking blocked punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter before kicker Robbie Gould gave them a 13-10 victory as time expired with a 45-yard game-winner.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a sluggish showing for much of the evening before leading the game-winning drive, finishing 11-of-19 for 131 yards with one interception. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished 20-of-29 for 225 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

First Half

The Packers fielded the opening kickoff and came out firing, putting together a 10-play, 69-yard drive that culminated with a six-yard touchdown run from A.J. Dillon and a 7-0 lead. Rodgers threw for 54 yards on the drive, 35 of those going to wide receiver Davante Adams on three catches.

Running back JaMycal Hasty gave the 49ers good starting field position on the next possession after a 32-yard kick return to the 40-yard line, but the 49ers went backwards on offense due to a false start penalty on guard Daniel Brunskill and a third down sack by linebacker Za'Darius Smith that resulted in a nine-yard loss. Running back JaMycal Hasty gave the 49ers good starting field position on the next possession after a 32-yard kick return to the 40-yard line, but the 49ers went backwards on offense due to a false start penalty on guard Daniel Brunskill and a third down sack by linebacker Za'Darius Smith that resulted in a nine-yard loss. The Packers took possession via punt after the sack and quickly moved across midfield, but the 49ers created their first big play of the game when linebacker Fred Warner knocked the ball out of the hands of tight end Marcedes Lewis, forcing a fumble recovered by linebacker Dre Greenlaw at the 42-yard line.

The defenses took control of the game after the turnover, with the two teams combining for six consecutive punts and one total first down. The 49ers in particular struggled on offense in the early going, opening the game with four consecutive three-and-outs consisting of multiple sacks and dropped passes. They were eventually able to put together a productive drive late in the second quarter that moved the ball inside the Packers' 10-yard line, but an interception thrown by Garoppolo to safety Adrian Amos left the 49ers empty-handed.

The Packers were left with poor field position after the interception and were on the verge of punting back to the 49ers with 40 seconds left in the half when Rodgers found a wide-open Aaron Jones for a 75-yard gain on a 3rd-and-3 from the 11-yard line. But the 49ers dodged a bullet as a sack from Nick Bosa caused an eight-yard loss on the next play, then safety Jimmie Ward blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt to keep the score at 7-0 as time expired in the half.

The 49ers were outgained 203 to 58 in the first half and were held to just 2.5 yards per play. Rodgers completed 12-of-16 passes for 170 yards by halftime while Garoppolo went just 3-for-9 with 43 yards, but the 49ers were able to lean on their defense and the blocked field goal to stay in the game and give themselves an opportunity to bounce back in the second half.

Second Half

The 49ers got a spark to start the half on a 45-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel, then moved into scoring range on a 10-play drive. Penalties drove the 49ers backwards once they got inside the 15-yard line, but they were able to turn the drive into points courtesy of a 29-yard field goal from Robbie Gould to cut the Packers' lead to 7-3.

The teams traded three-and-outs after the field goal, then the Packers put together their second scoring drive of the game -- a 14-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a 33-yard field goal from Crosby to stretch the lead to 10-3. The 49ers' defense kept the Packers out of the end zone after facing a 1st-and-Goal at the 7-yard line, but the drive took nine minutes off the clock and put the Packers up by a touchdown with under 12 minutes remaining in the game.

The 49ers answered with a drive that moved the ball inside the Packers' 20 on eight plays before winding up in a 4th-and-1 situation from the Packers' 19. The 49ers chose a 4th down conversion attempt over a field goal but fell short on a one-yard loss from running back Elijah Mitchell, turning the ball over on downs with just over six minutes to play.

But just when it seemed the Packers were starting to close in on a win, the 49ers delivered a stunning turn of events courtesy of their defense and special teams. The defense forced a punt after the turnover on downs due in part to a third down sack from defensive lineman Arik Armstead, then defensive end Jordan Willis blocked the ensuing punt, which was recovered for a touchdown by safety Talanoa Hufanga.

The 49ers held the Packers to a three-and-out, forcing another punt with 3:33 left to play. After taking over at their own 29-yard line, the 49ers moved inside the Packers' 40-yard line with around a minute remaining, then Samuel converted a key 3rd-and-7 to give the 49ers a first down at the Packers' 29-yard line. Three plays later the 49ers lined up for a field goal with four seconds remaining, which Gould nailed from 45 yards for the win.

The 49ers will now face the winner of Sunday afternoon's game between the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams and Buccaneers kick off in Tampa at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Sunday (NBC).

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