NFC Playoffs: San Francisco 49ers Roll Over Green Bay Packers, 45-31

Entering Saturday’s game, many wondered how San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would fare in his first playoff game. Never lacking confidence in his previous starts, there’s something about the postseason that could have potentially rattled him.

But it didn’t and for Kaepernick, he not only led his team to a win but he had a record-setting night against his favorite childhood team.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick

In the 49ers 45-31 win, the quarterback threw for 263 yards with two touchdowns caught by wide receiver Michael Crabtree (9 receptions for 119 yards). He also ran for 181 yards–a quarterback record–and two touchdowns. This broke quarterback Michael Vick’s 173-yard 2002 record as an Atlanta Falcon.

Adding to the team’s ground game was running back Frank Gore’s performance with his 23 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Nice complimentary offensive duo with Crabtree at 119 yards and Gore at 119 yards, don’t you think?

For the night, the 49ers had 579 total yards with 323 ground yards. The 45 points scored represents the third highest for the team’s playoff history books.

Kaepernick said after the game via ESPN, “It feels good. We’re one step closer to where we want to be. I feel like I had a lot to prove. A lot of people doubted my ability to lead this team.”

That is probably not the case anymore but it was justifiable as the second-year player was only starting in his eighth game in the league.

Alex Smith, who?

Kaepernick appeared humbled by the night and added, “Our offensive line did an amazing job today. They shut everybody down inside. Our receivers, our tight ends, blocked great outside, and our running backs were running hard, so it made it easier on me.”

As for the Packers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back home and playing against a team that had been his childhood favorite. But 2011’s MVP couldn’t get things going for his team against the 49ers defense.

Rodgers was 26 for 39, 257 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

With his pick, Rodgers broke his streak of 183 consecutive passes without an interception over five previous games.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

The quarterback said of the game, “We felt like we gift-wrapped them 14 points off turnovers in the first half and our defense was playing all right. And then we just didn’t get it done in the second half. I knew we were going to have to score some points. We knew we were going to have to put up at least 38 points.”

But Kaerpernick proved to be too much for the Packers’ defense and Packers veteran safety Charles Woodson couldn’t deny it.

He said via the Milwaukee Sentinel of the opposing quarterback, “We couldn’t stop him. He continued to hurt us running the ball and he made some big throws. It was just about trying to execute the defense we were in. That’s what it really boils down to. We didn’t execute it. If it works then it works. If it doesn’t, then hopefully, or maybe, you make a change.”

The 49ers will now wait for the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Seattle Seahawks winner for their Jan. 20 NFC Championship Game opponent. The nod is going to the Falcons (-3, 45.5 o/u) but after seeing Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning go down on Saturday, who knows what will happen on Sunday afternoon.

With Saturday’s win, the 49ers have now seen two consecutive NFC title games for the first time after three straight ones during the 1992-94 seasons.

To win this year’s NFC Championship, the odds are 11 to 5 for the 49ers to get it done.

While it’s one game at a time, but let’s be honest, you know the 49ers want to win it all and the odds to do so are +240.