NFC Divisional Playoffs: At Halftime, 49ers Lead Packers in Air-Tight Shootout
By Josh Hill
We had a doozy of a game in the AFC earlier today and the NFC nightcap is looking to do it’s best to imitate the thrills from earlier in the day. Ever since Sam Shields intercepted Colin Kaepernick in the first quarter to put the first points of the game on the board, we’ve had a vicious back and forth that has seen the momentum shift back and forth continuously.
DuJuan Harris put the Packers up with under 0:30 lefts in the first quarter, but Colin Kaepernick and the Niners struck right back, scoring 14 unanswered points to start the second quarter. Keapernick was getting lit up for his two major mistakes so far in the game, but he washed those out by throwing two huge touchdowns in the second quarter.
The first of which went to his favorite target Michael Crabtree, a score that tied the game at 14-14. The 49ers followed that scoring drive up with another that saw Kaepernick dial up Crabtree yet again on a throw that couldn’t have been more perfectly placed.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers won the battle in the first quarter, but his offensive unit was outclassed by the Niners in the second quarter. However, Rodgers did manage to hit James Jones in the endzone to tie up the game at 21-21.
But Keapernick has seemingly shook off the first quarter jitters and has firmly settled into his role as leader of the 49ers. He did get flagged for a taunting penalty after scrambling the 49ers deep into Packers territory. It was a young guy mistake, but if people are looking for a reason to knock Kaepernick in this game so far, they have very few moments to choose from.
This is a battle that will be won in the fourth quarter, as both offenses look unstoppable and both defenses look softer than melted ice cream. If one of these defensive units can harden up and just stunt a few drives, that might be enough to get the upper hand. Aaron Rodgers is a closer, and Keapernick is electric, which means the finish to this game will be one you won’t want to miss.