Love’s late intercept helps the 49ers defeat the Packers.
Jordan Love’s performance in leading the Green Bay Packers to the postseason and their decisive victory against the Dallas Cowboys in last week’s wild-card playoff game couldn’t have been more impressive in the second half of the season.
But on Saturday night in Santa Clara, California, Love threw a game-winning second interception with the season and the game on the line, enabling the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers to defeat the Green Bay Packers 24-21 in an NFC Divisional playoff game.
With 1:07 left, Christian McCaffrey scored a 6-yard touchdown run to give the 49ers the lead. But Love had three magic timeouts at his disposal. Nevertheless, the Packers had plenty of time to force overtime with three timeouts remaining.
Love gained the early advantage, but made a terrible interception. Love shot the ball across his body to the left after buying him some time to the right. The Packers were eliminated by linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s second interception of the game, even though Christian Watson wasn’t open and the ball was underthrown.
According to ESPN, the 49ers under head coach Kyle Shanahan were 0-30 when down by seven or more points in the fourth quarter.
But Love didn’t lose the match.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Packers had a chance to expand their advantage to 21-17, but Anders Carlson missed another field goal, this one a 41-yarder that drifted just left. Aaron Jones had a fantastic 53-yard run that was ruined by the kick. Jones ended the 49ers’ 51-game winning streak with that.
Thus, the 49ers started a do-or-die drive with 6:18 left. Brock Purdy’s sneak gained 2 on third-and-1. Brandon Aiyuk made a fantastic catch on third-and-5 for a gain of 10, despite Keisean Nixon’s tight coverage. At the two-minute warning, McCaffrey pulled Kenny Clark past the first-down marker, resulting in the first down at the 15.
Shortly after, McCaffrey broke through Green Bay’s defense to score the game-winning touchdown.
Midway through the third quarter, Keisean Nixon fielded the kickoff at the goal line, giving the 49ers a 14–13 lead. Corey Ballentine’s pancake block sent Nixon into open field. After sprinting toward the left sideline, the two-time All-Pro cut the ball back toward the middle of the field.
The 49ers decided to go on a do-or-die drive with 6:18 left. The sneak by Brock Purdy gained two on third-and-one. Despite Keisean Nixon’s tight coverage, Brandon Aiyuk made a spectacular catch on third-and-5 for a gain of 10. Kenny Clark was first down at the 15 at the two-minute warning after McCaffrey pulled him past the first-down marker.
McCaffrey broke through Green Bay’s defense a few moments later to score the game-winning touchdown.
Keisean Nixon fielded the kickoff near the goal line as the 49ers seized a 14–13 lead halfway through the third quarter. Nixon entered the open field thanks to Corey Ballentine’s pancake block. After cutting the ball back toward the middle of the field, the two-time All-Pro dashed up the left sideline.
The turning point occurred toward the end of the first half. The Packers won the toss and chose to take the ball. Thus, the 49ers had the opportunity to double up. However, Green Bay’s Colby Wooden blocked a field goal with 5 seconds remaining in the first half, and the defense forced a three-and-out under Rashan Gary’s pressure.
Following the punt, the Packers marched down the field for the go-ahead score. On third-and-15, Love’s request for Bo Melton was fulfilled when Ambry Thomas tackled him for a 41-yard gain on interference. On the next play, Love intended to throw a receiver screen to Dontayvion Wicks. The Niners defense took the bait, and Melton went behind the secondary for a 19-yard score to lead.µ
