Mr. Mobility

Mr. Mobility NFL Week 18 San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20

The last time these two teams met, Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick tagged the Packer’s defense for 412 passing yards – so you can bet they practiced against the pass all week. But what was forgotten was Kaepernik’s ability to run. After all, in the divisional game against Green Bay a year earlier, Kaepernick had rushed for a record-setting 181 yards and two TDs. Blame the mental lapse on the sub-freezing on-field temperatures.

Cold and a biting wind took its toll on offensive production in the first quarter. Neither team could manage a touchdown. But this did not prevent Phil “The Foot” Dawson from kicking two field goals to put the 49ers up 6-0.

The second half heated up slightly as Packers QB Aaron Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 5:50 left. The Niners came right back with a long drive capped by Frank Gore’s 1-yard drive into the end zone; 13-7. Then with 2:48 remaining, Green Bay’s Mason Crosby booted a field goal to shave the halftime lead to 3.

Slow, cold bodies returned to the field in the third quarter as reflected in the static score during that period. But by the fourth quarter, both teams embraced the win or go home mantra. Green Bay struck first with a 1-yard run by John Kuhn to put the Packers in the lead, 17-13. But less than 90 seconds later, Kaepernick threw a 28-yard pass to tight end Vernon Davis to reclaim the lead, 20-17. After the ensuing kickoff, the Pack headed for the end zone, but had to settle for a field goal to tie the game.

It was up to the 49ers offense to bring it home. Kaepernick broke out of the pocket and sprinted into a seemingly empty secondary for first downs as part of his 98 yards rushing on the day. When a tougher road needed plowing, Frank Gore delivered the essential first downs. Then, as in many weeks past, it came down to Phil Dawson to put away the game. Kudos again Dawson.

Of note: This is the second season in a row where the Packers started and ended their season with a loss to the 49ers.