49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has led his team on a 12 play, 69-yard drive capped off by a Christian McCaffrey go-ahead touchdown to give San Francisco a 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers had just over a minute left to drive down the field for a game-winning touchdown or a field goal to force overtime, however quarterback Jordan Love threw an interception back across his body which was picked off by 49ers stud linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Fox Sports commentator Greg Olsen said Love’s decision broke one of the “cardinal rules” of football.
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“It’s kind of fitting. Jordan Love told us this week that there are some throws I make which I know break the cardinal rules of quarterbacking,” Olsen said.
“One at the top of the list is that you never throw the ball late back across the field.
“Just throw this ball out of bounds and live to play second down.”
The Packers could have had a 24-17 lead before San Francisco’s final drive, however Green Bay rookie kicker Andres Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal wide left.
The win means the 49ers will host the NFC Championship game against the winner of Monday’s (AEDT) Divisonal Round playoff between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 49ers, off a week’s rest on account of finishing on top of the conference, led Green Bay 7-6 at the half however the Packers put up two touchdowns within the first 10 minutes of playing time in the third.
The second of those two Packers’ touchdowns was set up by a crazy play on a kickoff return.
Packers speedster Keisean Nixon found room down the left sideline on the ensuing kickoff after a Christian McCaffrey touchdown for the 49ers.
Nixon looked like he might score before he was tackled 25 yards out from the endzone and fumbled the ball.
A high-effort play from special teamer Aaron Wilson saved the day though for the Packers, who dived on the ball so Green Bay would still have possession deep inside 49ers’ territory.
Two plays later, Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw a touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft to give Green Bay a 21-14 lead.
Fox’s Kevin Burkhardt summed up the play with a “Holy cow” in commentary.
Earlier, the 49ers suffered a huge blow when star wide receiver Deebo Samuel was ruled out of the game.
It’s unclear if he’ll be fit enough to play in next week’s NFC Championship.
SUPERSTAR QB MAKES NFL HISTORY IN ‘MVP’ STATEMENT
Lamar Jackson has accounted for four touchdowns to help the Baltimore Ravens punch their ticket to the AFC Championship game with a 34-10 win against the Houston Texans.
Jackson, who is the raging favourite to receive his second MVP award during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 8th, threw two touchdown passes and added a couple more on the ground as the Ravens flexed their muscles in the second half to run away with a dominant victory.
Baltimore didn’t have it all their own way early, with the plucky Texans keeping pace in the first half.
Trailing 10-3 in the second quarter, Houston’s Steven Sims returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown to level the scores.
A week after winning his playoff debut, Houston’s rookie quarterback C.J Stroud was again impressive at times in the first half.
Stroud led the team on a 44 yard drive to set up a field goal in the dying minutes of the first half, but Texans kicker Kaimi Fairburn missed the attempt.
Jackson-inspired Ravens crush Texans | 01:41
That would have given Houston a 13-10 lead into the half.
However, once both teams came out for the second half, it was a one-act affair with the league-leading Ravens defence excelling.
The unit only allowed the Texans record 58 yards in the second half.
Remarkably, Houston’s offence didn’t have a red zone snap all game nor did they score a touchdown, a fairly good indicator how dominant the Ravens defence were.
“We didn’t execute in the second half and make enough plays,” Texans rookie coach Demeco Ryans said post game.
Jackson and the Ravens offence took some time to click into gear before finding their mojo in the second half.
Jackson had 152 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.
“They (Ravens defence) motivate us to go and put points on the board. It was them tonight,” Jackson told ESPN post game.
Baltimore will play the winner of Monday’s (AEDT) game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
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