playoffs

Niners’ trek through playoffs rests in Kaepernick’s hands

By: Dylan Kruse 01/07/13 11:05 PM

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Just ask the 49ers. One year ago, the Niners needed a quarterback making his first NFL playoff start to stand toe-to-toe against an elite, Super Bowl-winning QB in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Now, the scenario is playing itself out once again. Read More

Niners are a battle-tested bunch

By: Janie McCauley 01/07/13 10:58 PM

SANTA CLARA — Andy Lee’s nerves came on a full day before the 49ers’ playoff opener a year ago, not just leading up to his first punt as is typically the case each game. Tight end Vernon Davis was surprised at his butterflies stepping onto the NFL’s big stage for the first time, too. Read More

Packers beat Vikings 24-10, play 49ers next

By: The Associated Press 01/06/13 10:51 AM

Deep on offense and scary-good on defense, the Green Bay Packers were way too much for the Minnesota Vikings.Maybe everyone else in the NFC, too.Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson and the Packers reminded everyone of how dangerous they can be when they’re at full strength Saturday night, overwhelming the Vikings 24-10 in an NFC wild-card game that was never really close. Read More

49ers hope extra week allows Justin Smith to return

By: The Associated Press 01/03/13 7:44 PM

The 49ers’ defense is that much more stingy with Justin Smith on the field. Anyone in his own locker room or elsewhere will emphatically say as much. So, perhaps the most important part of San Francisco securing a first-round playoff bye is the chance to get the defensive menace back for its playoff opener. Read More

Rookie QBs battle in opening round of NFC playoffs

By: Wire Reports 01/03/13 7:33 PM

The Washington Redskins mortgaged their future last year to trade up and take Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall draft pick. Despite the hype, few could have anticipated that Griffin would provide such an immediate dividend. Read More

Winning not enough for 49ers to erase concerns

By: Paul Gackle 12/31/12 5:00 AM

The Beatles say, “you get by with a little help from your friends,” and the motto was certainly true for the 49ers on Sunday. Read More

49ers defend their division title and lock up first-round bye

By: The Associated Press 12/31/12 5:00 AM

The 49ers got everything they needed in the regular-season finale Sunday, overcoming a slow start to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-13 to claim the NFC West Division crown, then earned a first-round bye in the playoffs after the Minnesota Vikings knocked off the Green Bay Packers. The win by San Francisco made Seattle’s win over the St. Louis Rams moot, as the Niners claimed back-to-back division titles for the first time since they won four straight from 1992-95. Read More

Packers and Ravens lock up playoff berths

By: Simon Evans 12/16/12 10:29 PM

The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 21-13 on Sunday to secure a place in the playoffs, while the Atlanta Falcons showed they will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason by smashing the New York Giants 34-0. The Giants’ first shutout since 1996 blew the race for the top spot in the NFC East wide open, with the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys joining New York in a three-way tie at 8-6. Read More

Is 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's 'hot hand' beginning to cool?

By: Paul Gackle 12/09/12 11:29 PM

Does Colin Kaepernick still have the hot hand? Lukewarm might be a more accurate description. Kaepernick put together another decent performance in the 49ers’ 27-13 win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. But he didn’t have the type of game that makes you jump out of your seat and scream, “Yes! This guy is taking us to the Super Bowl.” Unfortunately, that’s where the bar was set for him when he supplanted Alex Smith as the team’s starting quarterback three weeks ago. Read More

No place for ties in the NFL

By: Paul Gackle 11/13/12 1:08 AM

The best part of the 49ers’ 24-24 tie with the St. Louis Rams on Sunday was Dashon Goldson’s bewilderment at how the game ended. “It’s a competitive sport, man — you’ve got winners and losers. You’ve gotta choose one. I never heard of tying in football — I really didn’t,” Goldson said. Read More