The Packers put up a better fight than their three previous efforts against the 49ers, but the result is the same: a second straight season in which the first and the last game resulted in losses to San Francisco. The critical play on the 49ers’ final drive came when Kaepernick escaped the rush on a 3rd and 8 from the Packers’ 38 to get an 11-yard run to pick up a crucial first down.
Phil Dawson hit a 33-yard field goal to win it. Hochuli called it a touchdown at first because his brain froze but eventually got it right. As soon as the kick was good, Frank Gore sprinted to the locker room and who could blame him?
More warmer environs next week for the Niners in Carolina. They should be warmed by the white-hot hate from white sportswriters reacting to a Kaepernick/Cam Newton showdown in the playoffs.