Purdy leads 49ers past Packers, Ravens knock off Texans.
The San Francisco 49ers overcame a fourth quarter deficit to beat an inspired Green Bay team 24-21 in the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
returned to the NFC Championship Game for the third consecutiveseason.
in the AFC Quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more to keep the Baltimore Ravens one win away from the Super Bowl with a 34-10 home win over the Houston Texans.
The top-ranked 49ers looked set to lose to the seventh-ranked Packers until quarterback Brock Purdy led a 69-yard drive that culminated in Christian McCaffrey game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining.
After upsetting the Dallas Cowboys in the first round, the Green Bay Packers were forced to make two crucial mistakes –
Anders Carlsen’s 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and Jordan Love’s interception.
last possession Purdy saved his best for last as 49ers ended Green Bay’s dreams; the quarterback remained calm during the decisive 12 games and quote;
It’s like settling down, reading through, taking what they give and putting this game together. We needed it.
The season was on the line, and quote;
Purdy said.San Francisco took a 7-6 halftime lead on Purdy’s 32-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle, but Love shined in a thrilling third quarter.
First, in the face of heavy pressure, he threw a pass to Bo Melton who was wide open in the end zone,
and after a 39-yard McCaffrey rush to keep the 49ers in touch, Love connected with Tucker Kraft for two. -yard pass and successful two-point play made it 21-14.
Jake Moody 52-yard field goal put the Niners within striking distance of Purdyand
A perfectly executed rush set up the impressive McCaffrey for his second rushing score.
Green Bay got the last ball, but Love composure left him at his worst as Dre Greenlaw sealed the win with a misjudged pass to Christian Watson.
The 49ers will host the winner of Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 28 in the NFC Championship Game.
NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor in the second quarter
and showed off his feared running game with a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Ravens benefit Jackson
then scored a touch down early in the fourth quarter and smartly ran through the Texans defense before hitting Isaiah
Probably in the end zone to give Baltimore a 24-10 lead before rushing for another touchdown to seal the win.
The top-seeded Ravens will host the winner of next weekend’s AFC Championship Game on Sunday and a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills and quote;
It’s only the first final game. We’re finally in the AFC Championship Game – we’ve got a lot of work to do andquot; said Jackson, who finished with 152 passing yards and 100 passing yards.
The Texans were left to reflect on the disappointment of quarterback CJ Stroud’s dazzling rookie season.
The 22-year-old from California struggled to keep the Houston offense going in front of Baltimore and solid defense.
He finished with just 175 passing yards.
Houston’s points came on Kaand im Fairbairn’s field goal in the first quarter and Steven Sims’ 67-yard punt return in the second quarter
Justin Tuckerand’s 53-yard field goal gave Baltimore an early lead before Fairbairn responded with a 50-yard field goal.
The Ravens were shocked when Sims broke through the Ravens defense with 4:17 left in the second quarter as Houston tied the game at 10-10 at halftime.
As of Saturday, Baltimore has played five playoff games since winning the 2012 NFL regular season crown.
But Jackson slid 15 yards into the end zone to cap the opening drive of the third quarter for a 17-10
Ravens lead and marched the team 93 yards on 12 plays that ended with Likely and a touchdown.
Jackson capped off a great individual performance with another touchdown on another long drive,
his eight-yard run making it 31-10 and Tucker adding a late 43-yard field goal. (AFP).
