49ers Linebacker Dre Greenlaw Seals Victory with Second Interception in NFC Divisional Round Game Against Packers
In a thrilling NFC divisional round game on Saturday night, the San Francisco 49ers emerged victorious with a 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw played a pivotal role in sealing the victory for his team with his second interception of the game.
The 49ers will now advance to the NFC Championship Game, where they will face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a hard-fought battle for San Francisco, who trailed the Packers 21-17 with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
However, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy stepped up when it mattered most, leading his team on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in running back Christian McCaffrey scoring his second touchdown of the game. This gave San Francisco the lead and put them in a position to secure the win.
With just 1:07 left on the clock, the Packers had one final chance to mount a comeback. But their hopes were dashed when Dre Greenlaw intercepted a pass from Jordan Love. The 49ers were then able to kneel and run out the clock, securing their spot in the NFC Championship Game.
Both quarterbacks had their moments in the game, with Love finishing 21-of-34 for 194 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Packers running back Aaron Jones had an impressive performance, rushing for 108 yards. On the other side, Purdy completed 23-of-39 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers faced adversity throughout the game, particularly with the absence of star receiver Deebo Samuel, who was ruled out due to a shoulder injury at halftime. Despite these challenges, Purdy showcased his resilience and delivered when it mattered most.
Purdy’s performance drew comparisons to legendary 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, who famously struggled with interceptions in the 1981 season NFC Championship Game before delivering the game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark. Purdy’s ability to lead a comeback win in difficult conditions solidified his place as a rising star for the 49ers.
The victory was a testament to the 49ers’ resilience and determination. Their defense had an up-and-down performance, allowing 100 rushing yards to an individual rusher for the first time in a year and a half. The secondary also had some busted coverages, partly due to slips on the wet Levi’s Stadium grass.
However, the Packers’ play-caller, Matt LaFleur, deserves credit for scheming players open against a strong 49ers secondary. Despite this, the Packers were unable to convert their opportunities into points in the second half of the game. Greenlaw’s interceptions played a crucial role in thwarting their last-minute drive.
The 49ers’ special teams struggled throughout the game, particularly in kickoff coverage. They gave up a long return that set up a Packers touchdown, highlighting an area that has troubled them throughout the season. However, they made adjustments late in the game, opting for touchbacks instead.
For the Packers, missed opportunities proved costly. Quarterback Jordan Love missed two easy throws over the middle on consecutive drives, leading to interceptions by Greenlaw. These missed chances to extend their lead ultimately came back to haunt them as Love made another questionable throw that ended the game.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia will have to address the struggles of rookie kicker Anders Carlson, who has had a string of missed kicks in recent games. Carlson’s missed field goal late in the game allowed the 49ers to score the game-winning touchdown on their subsequent drive.
Overall, the game was a thrilling display of resilience and determination from both teams. The 49ers’ victory sets them up for a home game in the NFC Championship Game, just one step away from the Super Bowl. It was a gritty win that they had been striving for all season, and now they have the opportunity to make their title run a reality.