The 2013 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 64th in the National Football League, 68th overall and third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke. This was the 49ers' final season playing their home games at Candlestick Park before moving into Levi's Stadium for the 2014 season.
The 49ers entered the season as the defending NFC champions, qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed Wild Card, and hoped to win a sixth Super Bowl title, after falling just short during the previous season. The 49ers' defeated the Green Bay Packers 23–20 in the Wild Card round and the Carolina Panthers 23–10 in the Divisional round, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship by a score of 17–23, failing to join the 1985 New England Patriots, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2007 New York Giants, and 2010 Green Bay Packers as the only teams to win 3 straight road games in the playoffs. The playoff loss also tied an NFL record for most losses with a Super Bowl berth at stake with nine (first set by the 2000 Oakland Raiders).
The 2013 season was the last season in which the San Francisco 49ers qualified for the playoffs or had a winning season until 2019.
^[a] The team acquired an additional second-round selection (No. 34 overall) along with a 2014 second-round selection (originally conditional) in a trade that sent quarterbackAlex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs.
^[b] The team acquired an additional third-round selection (No. 74 overall) as part of a trade that sent a 2012 fourth-round selection to the Carolina Panthers.
^[c] The team acquired an additional fifth-round selection (No. 157 overall) as part of a trade that sent a 2012 third-round selection to the Indianapolis Colts.
^[d] The team traded a fifth-round selection (No. 164 overall) and seventh-round selection (No. 227 overall) to the Cleveland Browns for quarterbackColt McCoy and a sixth-round selection (No. 173 overall).
^[e] The team acquired an additional sixth-round selection (No. 180 overall) as part of a trade that sent a 2012 fourth-round selection to the Miami Dolphins.
^[f] The team traded their sixth-round selection (No. 199 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens for wide receiverAnquan Boldin.
^[g] The team acquired an additional seventh-round selection (No. 227 overall) in a trade that sent safetyTaylor Mays to the Cincinnati Bengals.
^[h] The team traded their first-round selection (No. 31) and one of their third-round selections (No. 74 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round selection (No. 18).
^[i] The team traded one of their second-round selections (No. 34 overall) to the Tennessee Titans for a second-round selection (No. 40 overall), a seventh-round selection (No. 216 overall), and a 2014 third-round selection.
^[j] The team traded a second-round selection (No. 61 overall) and sixth-round selection (No. 173 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for a second-round selection (No. 55 overall).
^[k] The team traded a third-round selection (No. 93 overall) and seventh-round selection (No. 216 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for a third-round selection (No. 88 overall).
SF – Phil Dawson 27-yard field goal, 14:17. 49ers 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:32.
GB – Eddie Lacy 2-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 8:26. Packers 28–24. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 2:30.
SF – Frank Gore 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 5:47. 49ers 31–28. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:39.
SF – Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, 0:26. 49ers 34–28. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:26.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 21/37, 333 yards, 3 TD, INT
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 27/39, 412 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
GB – Eddie Lacy – 14 rushes, 41 yards, TD
SF – Frank Gore – 20 rushes, 44 yards, TD
Top receivers
GB – Jordy Nelson – 7 receptions, 130 yards, TD
SF – Anquan Boldin – 13 receptions, 208 yards, TD
Colin Kaepernick set a career-high with 412 yards passing and three touchdowns, the first 400-yard passing game by a 49ers quarterback since Tim Rattay on October 10, 2004, as well as the first 400-yard, three-touchdown passing game since Jeff Garcia in 1999. Anquan Boldin, making his debut as a 49er, racked up 208 yards receiving on 13 receptions, and scored a touchdown. Vernon Davis had 6 receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks[]
Week Two: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
0
3
0
3
Seahawks
0
5
7
17
29
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Date: September 15
Game time: 5:30 pm. PDT
Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 68,338
Referee: John Parry
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
IND – Adam Vinatieri 43-yard field goal, 7:00. Colts 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 4:48.
Third quarter
IND – Adam Vinatieri 41-yard field goal, 6:46. Colts 13–7. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:08.
Fourth quarter
IND – Andrew Luck 6-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:13. Colts 20–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 7:01.
IND – Ahmad Bradshaw 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:55. Colts 27–7. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 0:56.
Top passers
IND – Andrew Luck – 17/26, 159 yards
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 13/27, 150 yards, INT
Top rushers
IND – Ahmad Bradshaw – 19 rushes, 95 yards, TD
SF – Frank Gore – 11 rushes, 70 yards
Top receivers
IND – Darrius Heyward-Bey – 5 receptions, 59 yards
SF – Anquan Boldin – 5 receptions, 67 yards
The 49ers were heavily beaten for the second straight week to fall to a 1–2 record. The Colts' running game and defensive strength proved too strong in Kaepernick's first home defeat as a starter.
Week 4: at St. Louis Rams[]
Week Four: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
The 49ers season got back on track with a heavy Thursday Night Football victory over divisional opponent St Louis. Both the passing and running offense were effective in the victory, a positive sign of things to come, while the defense was its usual strong.
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans[]
Week Five: Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Texans
0
0
3
0
3
49ers
14
7
3
10
34
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Date: October 6
Game time: 5:30 pm. PDT
Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 69,732
Referee: Mike Carey
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Another large victory gave the 49ers their first back-to-back victories of the season. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick only completed 6 of his 15 passes, with the running attack and defense at the top of their games. Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon ran for touchdowns, while cornerback Tramaine Brock picked off two Matt Schaub passes, one for a touchdown on Schaub's first pass of the game, with Tony Jerod-Eddie also picking up an interception. The 49ers improved to 3–2, just one game off the 4–1 Seattle Seahawks in the battle for NFC West, who had lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals[]
Week Six: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
7
7
6
0
20
49ers
6
16
0
10
32
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Date: October 13
Game time: 1:25 pm. PDT/MST
Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 69,732
Referee: Scott Green
TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Molly McGrath
SF – Phil Dawson 35-yard field goal, 9:37. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, −10 yards, 1:00.
SF – Phil Dawson 26-yard field goal, 4:31. 49ers 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:35.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 75-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Jay Feely kick), 3:06. Cardinals 7–6. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:25.
Second quarter
SF – Carson Palmer sacked in the end zone by Corey Lemonier for a safety, 9:22. 49ers 8–7.
SF – Vernon Davis 61-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 8:31. 49ers 15–7. Drive: 2 plays, 71 yards, 0:51.
ARI – Andre Ellington 15-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 7:03. 49ers 15–14. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:28.
SF – Vernon Davis 35-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 1:55. 49ers 22–14. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 0:59.
Third quarter
ARI – Michael Floyd 10-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed), 8:12. 49ers 22–20. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:33.
Fourth quarter
SF – Kendall Hunter 6-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 6:35. 49ers 29–20. Drive: 18 plays, 89 yards, 9:32.
SF – Phil Dawson 44-yard field goal, 4:15. 49ers 32–20. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:41.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 25/41, 298 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 16/29, 252 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Andre Ellington – 7 rushes, 56 yards, TD
SF – Frank Gore – 25 rushes, 101 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 6 receptions, 117 yards, TD
SF – Vernon Davis – 8 receptions, 180 yards, 2 TD
A third straight win for the 49ers as the offense and defense sparked. Colin Kaepernick had 252 yards for two touchdowns, both to Vernon Davis, Frank Gore ran for 101 yards, and the defense forced four turnovers for the second consecutive game.
Week 7: at Tennessee Titans[]
Week Seven: San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
The 49ers cruised to a fourth consecutive win thanks to a strong running game, with Frank Gore picking up 70 yards for 2 touchdowns and Colin Kaepernick 68 yards for 1 touchdown. The final scoreline was flattering for the young Titans, who fell to a 24–0 deficit at the end of the third quarter. A muffed punt for a touchdown for Kassim Osgood was also a highlight for the 49ers.
Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick each ran for two touchdowns in the 49ers comfortable victory over the 0–7 Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, the eighth NFL match the venue has hosted, to improve to 6–2.
Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers[]
Week Ten: Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Panthers
0
7
0
3
10
49ers
3
6
0
0
9
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Date: November 10
Game time: 1:05 pm. PST
Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 69,732
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
After five straight victories, the 49ers dropped another home match following their bye. The Panthers' defense was too strong, limiting Colin Kaepernick to 91 yards and an interception as the 49ers could only score three field goals. The mid-game loss of tight end Vernon Davis and safety Eric Reid to concussions did not aid the 49ers cause as they fell to 6–3.
Week 11: at New Orleans Saints[]
Week Eleven: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
10
7
3
20
Saints
7
7
0
9
23
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: November 17
Game time: 3:25 pm. CST/1:25 pm. PST
Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
Game attendance: 73,025
Referee: Tony Corrente
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
NO – Josh Hill 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Garrett Hartley kick), 0:44. Saints 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 97 yards, 6:44.
Second quarter
SF – Anquan Boldin 11-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 10:16. Tied 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:10.
SF – Phil Dawson 55-yard field goal, 3:34. 49ers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:51.
NO – Jed Collins 1-yard run (Garrett Hartley kick), 1:58. Saints 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:36.
Third quarter
SF – Vernon Davis 17-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 10:52. 49ers 17–14. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:15.
Fourth quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 29-yard field goal, 13:22. 49ers 20–14. Drive: 13 plays, 49 yards, 6:11.
NO – Garrett Hartley 21-yard field goal, 7:50. 49ers 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 5:33.
NO – Garrett Hartley 42-yard field goal, 2:06. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 48 yards, 4:42.
NO – Garrett Hartley 31-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 23–20. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 1:41.
Top passers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 17/31, 127 yards, 2 TD, INT
NO – Drew Brees – 30/43, 305 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SF – Frank Gore – 13 rushes, 48 yards
NO – Pierre Thomas – 11 rushes, 49 yards
Top receivers
SF – Anquan Boldin – 6 receptions, 56 yards, TD
NO – Marques Colston – 5 receptions, 80 yards
Another set of back-to-back losses came in controversial circumstance for the 49ers that saw the team slip to 6–4. The 49ers led 20–17 with less than five minutes to go in the final quarter, before two Garrett Hartley field goals won it for the Saints, the second as time expired. On the drive leading to the first or these field goals, linebacker Ahmad Brooks was flagged for a contentious personal foul on Drew Brees for a blow to the neck on a sack and fumble, leading to a 15-yard penalty. Colin Kaepernick's three and out between the field goals also was a major contributor to the Saints' victory.
Week 12: at Washington Redskins[]
Week Twelve: San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
3
14
3
27
Redskins
0
6
0
0
6
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
Date: November 25
Game time: 8:40 p.m. EST/5:40 pm. PST
Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), clear
Game attendance: 79,773
Referee: John Parry
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
The 49ers got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory in Washington. Colin Kaepernick hit form with 235 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Redskins' quarterback Robert Griffin III threw just 118 yards and an interception in addition to being sacked 4 times, in a match-up between what are widely considered two of the league's best young quarterbacks. The 49ers improved to 7–4 as they looked to seal a playoff spot and pressure Seattle for the NFC West crown.
Week 13: vs. St. Louis Rams[]
Week Thirteen: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
SF – Phil Dawson 24-yard field goal, 3:25. 49ers 16–6. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:31.
Fourth quarter
SF – Vernon Davis 17-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 14:31. 49ers 23–6. Drive: 1 play, 17 yards, 0:10.
STL – Brian Quick 3-yard pass from Kellen Clemens (Greg Zuerlein kick), 0:18. 49ers 23–13. Drive: 10 plays, 92 yards, 2:04.
Top passers
STL – Kellen Clemens – 19/37, 218 yards, TD, INT
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 19/28, 275 yards, TD
Top rushers
STL – – 19 rushes, 72 yards
SF – Frank Gore – 15 rushes, 42 yards, TD
Top receivers
STL – Jared Cook – 3 receptions, 49 yards
SF – – 9 receptions, 98 yards
The 49ers defeated the Rams for the second time this season on the back of strong performances from the passing offense. Colin Kaepernick threw for 275 yards and a touchdown, Anquan Boldin caught nine passes for 98 yards, Michael Crabtree caught a 60-yard pass in his first game for six months following an achilles injury, and Vernon Davis athletically hurdled his way over a defender on two separate occasions for 82 yards and a touchdown, the 49ers improving to 8–4.
Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks[]
Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
SF – Phil Dawson 52-yard field goal, 7:56. 49ers 9–7. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:21.
SEA – Luke Willson 39-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 3:47. Seahawks 14–9. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 4:09.
SF – Vernon Davis 8-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 0:06. 49ers 16–14. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:41.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 31-yard field goal, 6:20. Seahawks 17–16. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 2:57.
SF – Phil Dawson 22-yard field goal, 0:26. 49ers 19–17. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:54.
Top passers
SEA – Russell Wilson – 15/25, 199 yards, TD, INT
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 15/29, 175 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SEA – Marshawn Lynch – 20 rushes, 72 yards, TD
SF – Frank Gore – 17 rushes, 110 yards
Top receivers
SEA – Luke Willson – 3 receptions, 70 yards, TD
SF – Anquan Boldin – 6 receptions, 93 yards
Seeking to avenge their week 2 loss in Seattle, the 49ers defense held Seahawks quarter back Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch to 199 passing yards and 72 rushing yards respectively. 4 field goals from kicker Phil Dawson, an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis, and a 51-yard run by running back Frank Gore in the fourth quarter lifted the 49ers to a 19–17 victory and improved their record to 9–4. The win also continued the Seahawks' losing streak at Candlestick Park since 2008. This would not be the last time these two teams would meet as they met again in the 2013 NFC Championship game. This was the 49ers' last win over the Seahawks until 2018.
Week 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]
Week Fifteen: San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
10
3
13
33
Buccaneers
0
7
0
7
14
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: December 15
Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/10:00 am. PST
Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 64,142
Referee: Scott Green
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber and Kris Budden
The 10th win of the season and fourth consecutive win came easily as the 49ers looked to clinch a playoff spot. Vernon Davis caught a touchdown for the fifth consecutive game and Michael Crabtree caught his first touchdown since returning from injury, as Colin Kaepernick threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
10
0
14
24
49ers
3
0
10
21
34
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Date: December 23
Game time: 5:40 pm. PST
Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), clear
Game attendance: 69,732
Referee: Walt Coleman
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
The 49ers played their final regular season game at Candlestick Park on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons. Their 34–24 victory came after an interception by NaVorro Bowman with 1:28 left in the game. The play would seal a win for a playoff spot for the 49ers and is called The Pick at the Stick by some sports columnists.[1] This game was also Candlestick Park's 36th and final game on Monday Night Football,[2] the most at any stadium used by the NFL.[3]
Week 17: at Arizona Cardinals[]
Week Seventeen: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
17
0
0
6
23
Cardinals
0
7
0
13
20
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Phil Dawson kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to lock up the 5th seed for the 49ers. The 49ers started on fire, leading 17–0 after the first quarter, with the Cardinals showing courage and determination in their fightback, squaring the game at 20–20 before LaMichael James' 45-yard kickoff return and two quick completions by Colin Kaepernick set up Dawson's game winner. Anquan Boldin was very impressive, catching nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in his first game back in Arizona after the Cardinals traded him to Baltimore prior to the 2010 season. The 49ers finished the season with an impressive 12–4 record, half a win better than the previous season, to give them second place in NFC West and the 5th seed in the playoffs (the 49ers won the NFC West and had the #2 seed in 2012), securing them a trip to Green Bay in the Wild Card Round.
^The New York Giants and Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
^The New York Giants defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 16, 23–20 (OT)).
^Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
^Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
In one of the coldest games in NFL playoff history, Colin Kaepernick threw for 227 yards and ran for a game-high 98 as the 49ers beat the Packers 23–20. The Packers tied the game at 20 with a field goal with 5:06 left, but Kaepernick led the 49ers down the field to set up a game-winning 33-yard field goal by Phil Dawson as time expired. The 49ers are now 4–0 against Green Bay in the last two years, after going 1–11 against them (including playoffs) from 1995 to 2010. This was also the first time ever the 49ers won at Green Bay in the playoffs.
NFC Divisional Round: at Carolina Panthers[]
NFC Divisional Round: #5 San Francisco 49ers at #2 Carolina Panthers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
6
7
7
3
23
Panthers
0
10
0
0
10
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Date: January 12, 2014
Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/10:05 am. PST
Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 73,784
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
SF – Phil Dawson 49-yard field goal, 9:12. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 49 yards, 5:48.
SF – Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, 4:33. 49ers 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:45.
Second quarter
CAR – Steve Smith 31-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 13:40. Panthers 7–6. Drive: 1 play, 31 yards, 0:07.
CAR – Graham Gano 24-yard field goal, 3:41. Panthers 10–6. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 8:59.
SF – Vernon Davis 1-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 0:05. 49ers 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 3:36.
Third quarter
SF – Colin Kaepernick 4-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 8:53. 49ers 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 4:32.
Fourth quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 34-yard field goal, 7:41. 49ers 23–10. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:58.
Top passers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 15/28, 196 yards, TD
CAR – Cam Newton – 16/25, 267 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SF – Frank Gore – 17 rushes, 84 yards
CAR – Cam Newton – 10 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
SF – Anquan Boldin – 8 receptions, 136 yards
CAR – Ted Ginn Jr. – 4 receptions, 104 yards
The 49ers advanced to their third consecutive NFC Championship game by beating a red hot Carolina Panthers team, 23–10. Coming into the game, the Panthers had won eleven of their last twelve games and finished the season ranked number two in total defense. This game was a rematch from week 10, with the Panthers winning 10–9. This time though, it was the 49ers who would come out victorious. Two key goal line stands by the 49ers defense in the second quarter (including a stop on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line) were the major difference in the game. The 49ers defense shut the Panthers out in the second half with constant pressure on Cam Newton, sacking him twice and intercepting a pass late in the fourth quarter that shut down any chance Carolina had at a comeback. Colin Kaepernick went 15 for 28 for 196 yards and a touchdown, while Anquan Boldin had 8 catches for 136 yards. The 23 points by the 49ers were the most points the Panthers allowed at home this year. The 49ers then headed to Seattle.
NFC Championship Game: at Seattle Seahawks[]
NFC Championship Game: #5 San Francisco 49ers at #1 Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
3
7
7
0
17
Seahawks
0
3
10
10
23
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Date: January 19
Game time: 3:30 pm. PST
Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 68,454
Referee: Gene Steratore
TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews
SF – Anquan Boldin 26-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 6:29. 49ers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 3:22.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 40-yard field goal, 3:55. 49ers 17–13. Drive: 5 plays, 11 yards, 2:34.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Jermaine Kearse 35-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 13:44. Seahawks 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:03.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 47-yard field goal, 3:37. Seahawks 23–17. Drive: 7 plays, 11 yards, 4:00.
Top passers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 14/24, 153 yards, TD, 2 INT
SEA – Russell Wilson – 16/25, 215 yards, TD
Top rushers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 11 rushes, 130 yards
SEA – Marshawn Lynch – 22 rushes, 109 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF – Anquan Boldin – 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
SEA – Doug Baldwin – 6 receptions, 106 yards
Though the 49ers led 10–3 at halftime, the Seahawks came back and then survived a late 49ers comeback attempt. With Seattle leading 20–17 in the fourth quarter, Colin Kaepernick attempted to rally his team, but fumbled once and threw two interceptions in the final three 49ers possessions of the game. Seahawks outscored San Francisco 20–7 in the second half. In the fourth quarter, NaVorro Bowman suffered a major knee injury on a tackle and forced fumble near the goal line; his recovery of the ensuing fumble was not seen by the officials (and the league later agreed that the officials had missed the call);[6] the 49ers forced another fumble on the next play and recovered it, but they could not take advantage. In the last minute of play, Kaepernick again had the 49ers in position to try for a win, but his pass to Michael Crabtree in the end zone was deflected by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith, clinching the win for Seattle. The contest between the two elite defenses led many to consider the game a quasi-Super Bowl, as popular opinion was that the 49ers and Seahawks were the two best teams in the NFL given recent history. This opinion was only cemented further after the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in the Super Bowl.