Related ArticlesĤ9ers-Commanders preview: Washington to start QB Jacoby Brissett That blocked kick couldn’t take the sting out of what happened earlier, specifically Garoppolo’s pass that was intercepted at the Packers’ 4-yard line by safety Adrian Amos with 56 seconds until halftime. More help came from Jimmie Ward blocking a field goal attempt as the first half expired. The 49ers trailed 7-0 at halftime, and it could have been much worse had their defense not rallied after the opening touchdown drive. Stalling out that drive were two penalties in the red zone, Elijah Mitchell called for grabbing a facemask and then Trent Williams lining up in an illegal formation. He followed with four more touches (39 yards worth) to set up Gould’s 29-yard field, cutting the deficit to 7-3. As snow flurries arrived, Samuel returned the second half’s opening kickoff 49 yards to midfield. It was Samuel who sparked the 49ers’ second-half comeback bid. One of those sacks forced the Packers to settle for a 33-yard field goal and a 10-3 lead with 11:27 to go, leaving the door open for a fourth straight win and their ninth in 11 games. “Guys are having career years and stepping up in times we need them most,” said Arik Armstead, who, himself, delivered a pair of third-down sacks on Aaron Rodgers. The 49ers’ defense, which allowed an opening touchdown drive, proved resilient the game’s remainder, especially so in the final quarter. I’ll be alright,” said Samuel, who endured shoulder and ankle injuries while totaling 39 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and 59 kick-return yards (142 all-purpose yards). Williams, the All-Pro left tackle, hobbled out of the locker room on crutches with an ankle injury. It didn’t come without sacrifice, of course. “The way this year has gone has made this journey special, and I’m glad it’s still going,” Nick Bosa said.īefore Garoppolo walked off into the locker room, he turned to acknowledge the 49ers fans who made the trek - the same fans who surely cursed Garoppolo’s presence after he had a pass intercepted at the Packers’ 4-yard line just before halftime.īut a storybook finish made that a footnote, just as it did the four third-down sacks he endured, just as it did a failed fourth-and-1 run by Mitchell earlier in the fourth quarter. The 49ers players and coaches celebrated by racing all over the Packers’ legendary field. It was one of the most clutch moments of his lengthy career, and long snapper Taybor Pepper retrieved the ball for Gould’s trophy case that includes almost all his other game-winners. Once Gould’s field goal cleared through the uprights, it gave him a perfect 20-for-20 record on postseason field-goal attempts. Instead, that Packers drive was harmless, expiring once Rogers’ 45-yard heave toward Davante Adams fell incomplete with 3:33 remaining. That left Rodgers plenty of time for late-game magic, against a team he needed only 37 seconds to spare for a game-winning drive in the 49ers’ home opener in Week 3. Willis got not only a piece of that ball, but coach Kyle Shanahan rewarded him with the ceremonial, postgame game ball - with more to be dispersed on the flight home. Willis, despite a high ankle sprain last game, plowed through the Packers’ long snapper and extended his left hand up to block the punt. With the snow and the dark, we couldn’t see it. “You guys probably saw all of us look for it,” Hufanga said of the football. Hufanga scooped the football off the snow-covered grass, once Jordan Willis heroically blocked Corey Bojorquez’s punt. It was scored on special teams by rookie Talanoa Hufanga with 4:41 remaining. What really saved the 49ers’ season, however, was the most unlikely of game-tying touchdowns. With 13 seconds on the clock, Garoppolo handed off again, and it was Kyle Juszczyk’s turn up the middle to the right hashmark, all in an effort to set up Gould’s winner. Elijah Mitchell ran up the middle for a yard. Samuel churned to the 29-yard line, then hopped off the field, unable to put weight on his right foot. On third-and-7 from the Packers’ 38-yard line, after a 49ers’ timeout, Garoppolo took a shotgun snap with 1:03 left and handed the ball off to Samuel on a draw.
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