NFL Playoffs: 49ers stun the Packers on their way to the NFC title game!

Green Bay, Wisconsin - The San Francisco 49ers have taken out another playoff favorite, this time by upsetting the league’s best team and Super Bowl favorite, the Green Bay Packers.

Talanoa Hufanga (l.) of the 49ers picks up a blocked punt and returns it for a touchdown against the Packers.
Talanoa Hufanga (l.) of the 49ers picks up a blocked punt and returns it for a touchdown against the Packers.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Niners escaped Saturday’s divisional-round matchup with a shocking 13-10 win over the Packers for another trip to the NFC Championship Game next Sunday.

This is San Francisco’s second title game appearance in three years and fifth since 2011.

Green Bay was mostly in control throughout the night, gaining a seven-point lead in the first quarter, and never trailed San Francisco until the end of the game.

But the Niners defense managed to keep the Packers from any more offensive success in the first half, including a big special teams effort by blocking a Green Bay field goal try at the end of the first half.

San Francisco finally got on the board with a field goal midway through the third quarter, followed by Green Bay opening the fourth with a kick of their own to regain their seven-point lead.

The Niners special teams made yet another huge play, though, returning a blocked punt for a touchdown late in the quarter to tie things up at 10-10.

San Francisco’s defense also stepped up again to force another Packers punt, which then got the Niners in a position to kick the game-winning field goal for the upset victory.

The player spotlight

49ers kicker Robbie Gould (r.) kicked the game winning field goal over the Packers on Saturday night.
49ers kicker Robbie Gould (r.) kicked the game winning field goal over the Packers on Saturday night.  © imago/Icon SMI

San Francisco’s special teams efforts shined in this game, led by 17-year NFL veteran placekicker Robbie Gould (39).

No stranger to kicking in the playoffs during his previous years with the Bears, Gould answered the call for the Niners on Saturday night, continuing his perfect now 20-for-20 career playoff field goal mark.

He was the team’s leading scorer and the base of offense, while quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo struggled throughout the entire game.

Gould was 2-for-2 in kick attempts, including a successful extra point try for seven of his team’s 13 total points.

The big picture

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes another early playoff exit after losing at home to the Niners.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes another early playoff exit after losing at home to the Niners.  © imago/Icon SMI

While their special teams made big plays that won the game for them, the Niners defense was also on top of their game in this playoff win.

The defensive unit worked together to hold Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to no touchdowns in a playoff game for the second time in his career.

And in a rather disappointing first for Rodgers, he is now 0-4 against the 49ers, the first quarterback in playoff history to lose four playoff games to the same opponent.

If the Niners can at least keep up the good work on defense, look for them to make things interesting in next Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

The Niners will play on the road against either the Rams or the Buccaneers.

Cover photo: imago/Icon SMI

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