Fans of the San Francisco 49ers braved the downpour of rain in Santa Clara, then endured nearly three hours of anxiety in watching their team struggle against an upset-minded Green Bay Packers team.
But along came one wild sequence that changed the course of the game and catapulted the Niners back to the NFC Championship Game.
Missed Field Goal and Costly Interception Part of Wild Fourth Quarter
The 24-21 win for the 49ers witnessed four lead changes. But SF had to shake off three struggling quarters to win.
And the Niners earned an assist through a missed 41-yard field goal by rookie Anders Carlson with 6:21 left. While most NFL fans will believe that a miscue like that still gives that team plenty of remaining opportunities, the Niners still took advantage.
San Francisco milked the clock with a 12-play, 69-yard drive with Brock Purdy at the controls, eventually ending with Christian McCaffrey powering through inside the 10-yard line.
Instant Classic.
➡ 12 plays
➡ 69 yardsNice. pic.twitter.com/wtTknVBzCq
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 21, 2024
In the final drive, Jordan Love was given one more chance to add a new chapter to his growing Packers legacy. The first-time playoff quarterback had already thrown two touchdowns on wide-open throws against this Niners defense.
But Dre Greenlaw became the recipient of this cross-body throw that became costly for Love and the Packers:
Game. Set. Match.pic.twitter.com/1ZUgelhwa3
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 21, 2024
Those sequences sparked a bevy of social media reactions, including from the fans who proudly yell, “Bang Bang Niner Gang.”
NFL Fans React to Epic Fourth Quarter in Packers-49ers Divisional Round Game
The 49ers on NBC Sports Bay Area X account took a dig at Love and the Packers. They mocked the fact that even with the Packers moving on from the Aaron Rodgers era, they still ended with the same result against SF.
New quarterback, same result 🙃 pic.twitter.com/f23ORhgi2K
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 21, 2024
NFL analyst and host of “Up and Adams” Kay Adams described the game as “so fun.” Meanwhile, CBS Sports betting analyst Katie Mox from “That Other Pregame Show” aired her excitement in watching her 49ers win while also praising the Purdy’s poise in the final sequence.
“It wasn’t pretty but WHAT A GAME! Big play Dre coming up HUGE (twice) and Purdy silencing the ‘he can’t play from behind’ narrative,” Mox posted.
Mina Kimes of ESPN was another who mentioned Purdy in her final reaction, calling this game a “chef’s kiss” type of vibe for the second-year passer.
MORE: NFL Playoff Divisional Round Results
Finally, the 49ers’ X account let it be known that despite the weather, no one can “rain” on their parade.
CAN'T RAIN ON OUR PARADE! #DoItForTheBay pic.twitter.com/64An0lyAEe
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 21, 2024
49ers Captured in Raw Emotions After Win
As for the 49ers players who withstood the dramatic playoff win, cameras managed to capture their raw emotions.
One video involved All-Pros George Kittle and Fred Warner.
Kittle and Warner are HYPED ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Pl0V3iR8eS
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 21, 2024
Greenlaw shared an even more stirring moment: receiving a celebratory hug from franchise and NFL legend Jerry Rice before slowly saying the words “Bang Bang Niner Gang!”
BIG PLAYS DRE 😤 pic.twitter.com/k0zRPccpdp
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 21, 2024
Once the 49ers took refuge and their celebration out of the saturated Levi’s Stadium grass, head coach Kyle Shanahan described how the night went:
“It was a gut check for everybody.”
The 49ers ended their fans’ anxieties with an epic fourth quarter. Now, they will face the winner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions game in the NFC title match. That game at Levi’s Stadium will be the late contest for next Sunday, Jan. 28, with a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
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