A late field goal from Phil Dawson saw the San Francisco 49ers progress in the NFL playoffs with a 23-20 win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The kicker got the visitors off to a good start, but a Jordy Nelson touchdown allowed the NFC North champions to edge ahead.
Frank Gore and Vernon Davis both found the end zone for last year's Super Bowl runners-up, while John Kuhn added a second for the home side
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening! It's around half an hour until the final game of the wildcard round of the playoffs gets underway, with the NFC North champions, the Green Bay Packers, hosting last year's beaten Super Bowl finalists, the San Francisco 49ers. Let's start with a look at both team's inactive players...
PACKERS INACTIVES: Harper, Tolzien, Rolle, Palmer, Matthews, Taylor, Tretter
49ERS INACTIVES: Rogers, Carrier, Moody, Seymour, Dial, Looney, Baldwin
The absence of cornerback Carlos Rogers will be a big blow for the 49ers. He's been in fine form recently, but was limited in practice with a hamstring injury, and the team have decided not to risk him. For the Packers, Clay Matthews will be a big loss. Although it's not a surprise that he is inactive tonight, as he is recovering from thumb surgery, the linebacker proved a real thorn in the side of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when the team's played earlier in the season.
The buildup to this game has been dominated by talk about the weather conditions. The latest forecast suggests that it's a rather bracing -15C at Lambeau Field, also some reports during the week claimed that it could get even colder. One news outlet even claimed that it would be so cold that all the beer in the stadium would freeze up within an hour of kickoff!
This picture, posted on the Packers official Twitter feed earlier, should give you some idea of the conditions in Green Bay:
#Packers Weather – The report from Lambeau, still cold, not as bad as feared? Watch: http://t.co/ajDDkHjMjp #SFvsGB pic.twitter.com/a3K32sLLM3
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 5, 2014
These two have already played once this season, in the opening week in fact. On that occasion, it was a win for the 49ers, although that game took place at Candlestick Park. The 49ers are on a three-game winning streak against the Packers, something which the home side will no doubt be hoping to stop tonight.
Looking at their regular season statistics, the Packers' offense has been the stronger of the two, averaging just over 400 yards per game, compared to 323 for San Francisco.
Green Bay's biggest weapon is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team struggled for form while the 30-year-old was sidelined with a collarbone injury, but clinched their playoff berth last week when he returned, leading them to a win over the Bears. By contrast, Kaepernick has not matched the headline-grabbing form of 2012, but has improved his passing since the return of wide receiver Michael Crabtree from an Achilles injury.
While the Packers have the edge on offense, the 49ers' defense has been in sublime form for much of this season, allowing 317 yards per game, almost 60 fewer than their opponents. Patrick Willis, Donte Whitner and Co have been particularly efficient against the run, allowing just 95.9 yards per game.
The 49ers are well prepared for the conditions:
Cold weather essentials. #QuestForSix pic.twitter.com/uqg2YGPRpy
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 5, 2014
The winner of today's game will travel to Charlotte this time next week for a game against the Carolina Panthers. The 49ers lost to the NFC South champions when they played in the regular season, while the Packers have not played the Panthers since Cam Newton's rookie season. It will be a tough matchup for whichever team makes the trip.
The 49ers have won the toss and chose to defer, so Phil Dawson will kick the ball to the Packers.
KICKOFF! Dawson boots the ball down field the Randall Cobb, who brings it out the to 25-yard line.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense come onto the field for the first time. Eddie Lacy has two carries, but leaves the team two yards short of a first down. Fullback John Kuhn tries to force his way through for the last couple, just he's held up by Justin Smith, forcing the home side to punt.
The 49ers start their drive with a Frank Gore gain for six, before a short Kaepernick pass to Crabtree brings up the first down. The wide receiver is brought down by Sam Shields at the 45, but the cornerback is left shook up by the play, so there'll be a delay while he's seen to by the team's medical staff.
There's a brief moment of worry for the 49ers as the Packers manage to force the ball out of Crabtree's hands, but the officials rule that he was out of bounds when he fumbled. On the next play, Kaepernick hands off to Gore, but the running back has nowhere to go, and is brought down for a loss of five.
SACK! On third down, Kaepernick and Gore mix up their handoff, and Mulumbu manages to bring the quarterback down for a loss of four. However, the 49ers decide to leave their offense out of fourth down, and Kaepernick converts with a stunning 34-yard toss deep to Crabtree, leaving them bearing down on the end zone. That's a great rescue by the visiting side.
From the four-yard line, Kaepernick has time to wait for tight end Vernon Davis to get into space, but the throw is short, and is nearly intercepted.
On third down, Kaepernick tries to find Crabtree again, but he's covered by House and can't get his hands to it, so Dawson will come on for a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL! 49ers 3-0 Packers (Dawson)
From 22 yards, it's a simple chip shot for the 49ers kicker to put the first points on the board for San Francisco.
INJURY UPDATE! The Packers have confirmed that Shields has a knee injury as does defensive end Mike Neal. Both of them are questionable to return. That's a big blow for the already injury-hit Packers defense.
SACK! Rodgers appears to be lining up his first pass of the game, but Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald both get to the quarterback before he can get the ball away, and bring him down for a loss of two.
On third down, the Packers are moved back because of a Bakhtiari false start, forcing Rodgers to go for a passing play. He targets Boykins, but the ball is too low for the wide receiver to collect. That's two three and outs for the Packers now, with Rodgers yet to complete a pass.
Gore has a couple of carries to get the first down, before Boldin collects a pass out wide to come up just short of a further set, but Gore manages to convert on the next play. This is another promising-looking drive for the 49ers.
Boldin picks up 12, moving the 49ers inside the Packers' red zone again. gore breaks through the defensive line looking for the touchdown, but is caught at the seven.
On third down, Kaepernick looks for Crabtree in the end zone, but again House is covering him. Crabtree pleads with the official to throw a flag for defensive holding, but the refs say it was legal, so the 49ers have to settle for the field goal try.
FIELD GOAL! 49ers 6-0 Packers (Dawson)
From just 25 yards out, it another easy kick for Phil Dawson, doubling the 49ers' lead. The Packers need to get their offense firing on this next drive, but they'll be pleased not to be further behind after a strong first two drives from San Francisco.
SACK & FUMBLE! Things go from bad to worse for Rodgers as Ahmad Brooks sacks him for a loss of six. The quarterback also loses the ball on the way down, but Lang manages to recover the fumble for the home side. Rodgers, follows with an incompletion, while Lacy picks up three, leaving the Packers still looking for their opening first down of the game as the punt unit comes back out.
While the 49ers offense might be disappointed not to have a touchdown after two visits to the red zone, the defense will be pretty pleased with their display so far. Rodgers is widely considered one of the the most dangerous passers in the league, but he's been under pressure every time he's tried to throw so far in this first quarter, and is yet to make a completion.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 6-0 Green Bay Packers
Kaepernick ended the first quarter with an eight-yard dash, which Gore swiftly converts for a first down with the opening play of the second quarter. The 49ers have used the running back sparingly so far, but he's been effective when the ball has been placed in his hands.
INTERCEPTION! On third down from the Green Bay 29, Kaepernick is intercepted by Tramon Williams while trying a deep pass to Davis. Williams tries to return it, but the quarterback makes the stop himself, halting the Packers at the Green Bay 30.
The Packers have their first first down of the game as Rodgers also makes his first completion, tossing the ball eight yards to Kuhn.
The Packers are on a roll now, as Lacy swiftly gets them another fresh set of downs, before Rodgers spots Nelson in space out wide, picking up seven, and moving them to the San Francisco 36. This drive has also woken the crowd up!
Rodgers finds Nelson again, moving the Packers in the red zone for the first time today. Lacy tries to find a gap out wide to run in for the touchdown, but Eric Reid spots the move and hold him up.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 6-7 Packers (Nelson)
The Packers make the 49ers pay for settling for field goals from their first two drives as Aaron Rodgers gets the ball to Jordy Nelson from five yards out for the opening touchdown of the game. The wide receiver has to work hard to get free from Brock, but manages to scoop the ball into his hands as he hits the ground. Mason Crosby comes on for his first action of the game, adding the extra point.
LaMichael James returns the ball to the San Francisco 33. Gore starts the drive with a short gain, before Vernon Davis hauls in a nine-yard catch for the first down. Now that the Packers offense have really started playing, the 49ers need to get in the end zone.
In last year's playoff between these two teams, Kaepernick tore the Packers' defense apart with his running ability. He gives them a reminder of that on second down, sprinting 42 yards to move San Francisco into the end zone.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 13-7 Packers (Gore)
Having failed to convert their previous two red zone opportunities with the passing game, Kaepernick hands the ball off to Frank Gore, who smashes his way over the line from 10 yards out. That's just what the visitors needed to settle any doubts from their first quarter drives. Phil Dawson kicks the extra point.
TWO MINUTE WARNING! Just before the two minute warning timeout, Rodgers fakes a handoff to Lacy before looking for Nelson, but wide receiver is well covered, so the quarterback runs it himself before sliding down for the first down at the Green Bay 36 to avoid a tackle from Eric Reid.
Reid manages to pick off Aaron Rodgers, but the play is chalked off as Ahmad Bradshaw stumbled offside prior to the snap. That's San Francisco's first penalty of the game.
The Packers retake the play, and this time manages to move the home side into San Francisco territory with a 19-yard pass to Jordy Nelson. The Packers have all of their timeouts in tact, so have time to get at least to field goal range before half time.
After using their first timeout, Rodgers throws to Starks, who runs to the 24-yard line. The quarterback targets Nelson for another touchdown, but he comes up six yards short.
A penalty against Bakhtiari moves the Packers back 10 yards, but James Jones is able to bring them back to the 11-yard line. However, an incompletion on third down brings Crosby out for a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL! 49ers 13-10 Packers (Crosby)
Mason Crosby's first field goal of the game is good from 34 yards out, leaving the Packers just three points behind the 49ers.
END OF SECOND QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 13-10 Green Bay Packers
So it's a slender lead for the 49ers at half time in their wildcard playoff game against the Packers. The home side have recovered well after an anonymous first quarter from the offense, and will probably be relatively pleased with the score at the break.
Let's take a look at some stats from the opening half. Perhaps surprisingly, Colin Kaepernick leads the passing with 117 yards from eight completion, after Aaron Rodgers took a while to get going. The Packers passer finished the half with 97 yards and a touchdown pass.
Kaepernick also leads the 49ers in rushing yards, having picked up 47 yards so far. The ever-present Frank Gore has also been effective, gaining 41 and a touchdown. Eddie Lacy has been made to work hard for the Packers, rushing for 40 yards from 12 carries.
The 49ers defense was superb in the first two quarters. Patrick Willis leads the team with seven tackles, while Ahmad Brooks picked up a sack and a forced fumble. Rodgers was sacked twice in the first half, while the team fumbled twice.
Micah Hyde leads the way for Green Bay, with three tackles and a forced fumble. Linebacker Brad Jones also made his presence felt with two tackles and the only sack of the first half. Tramon Williams has the only interception of the game so far, having picked off Kaepernick in the end zone while the 49ers quarterback was looking for Crabtree.
The teams are back out ready for the start of the second half, with the 49ers to receive the kickoff from Mason Crosby.
SACK! The 49ers start the third quarter with their first three and out of the game. Kaepernick target Crabtree and Boldin, but neither are able to make the catch. The quarterback tries to keep it on third down and run it himself, but Mike Daniels just manages to catch enough of him to bring him down for a loss of five, forcing Andy Lee to come on for the punt.
The Packers first possession also comes to nothing as Lacy picks up four on the opening play, before being dragged back for a loss of two by Justin Smith next. Rodgers tries and all-or-nothing pass deep to the end zone for James Jones, but Perrish Cox makes sure the wide receiver doesn't have the space to get to the pass.
INJURY UPDATE! The Packers have confirmed that Sam Shields and Mike Neal will miss the rest of the game with the knee injured that they both picked up in the first quarter of the game.
INJURY UPDATE! There's a big concern for the 49ers as linebacker Aldon Smith has suffered a bout of cramp at half time. The team says that he is questionable to return.
Kaepernick gets the visitors on the move with a 16-yard dash, before getting the ball to Crabtree for a 22-yard gain, moving the ball to the Green Bay 41.
Anthony Dixon hauls is his first reception of the game for a first down 30 yards from the end zone. Kaepernick turns to rookie Quinton Patton on the next play, but he's brought down for a loss of a yard. The 49ers will have to wait for second down though, as Mulumba was injured on the play, and seems to be in quite a bit of pain.
The 49ers line up for their next play but call a timeout. Meanwhile, the Packers could be left with a bit of a shortage at outside linebacker if Mulumbu's injury prevents him from playing. The only other active player at that position in Nick Perry. However, Mulumbu has been moving under his own power on the sidelines, so it doesn't look too serious. In the meantime, Datone Jones has moved to the outside the fill in.
SACK! Perry may be the only outside linebacker left standing for the Packers, but he makes his presence felt, sacking Kaepernick for a loss of seven. It pushed the 49ers out of field goal range, so Lee will come on for another punt.
Aldon Smith seems to have shaken off his cramp as he's back in the game on this drive. James Starks gets the Packers off to a good start though, rushing for a first down.
SACK! Smith is indeed back! He throws the guard out of the way to get to Rodgers, bring the quarterback down for a loss of eight.
SACK! Rodgers' offensive line is really letting him down here as the quarterback is sacked on back-to-back plays, this time Ahmad Brooks makes to tackle for a loss of five.
On third down, Rodgers is forced to try a deep pass to Nelson, but Brown and Cox are both there to make sure the wide receiver isn't able to make the catch, so the Packers will punt again. Green Bay really need to protect Rodgers better than this, this is only his second game since he returned from a fractured collarbone.
INJURY UPDATE! The Packers have confirmed that Mulumbu has a knee injury, and have listed his return as questionable.
After the defense came up big to stop the Packers drive, the 49ers' offense can't capitalise, and Kaepernick tosses an incompletion in the direction of Crabtree, before Kendall Hunter gains one, and Crabtree comes up short on third down. Both offenses have been a bit slow to get going again since half time.
Having been rested in the last drive, Eddie Lacy comes back on for the Packers, and gains seven to leave the hosts just short of midfield, but he gets the first down in the next play.
Starks takes over at running back and seems to be through in space, but Reid manages to catch up and make the stop, restricting him to a 10-yard gain on the final play of the quarter.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 13-10 Green Bay Packers
INJURY UPDATE! It's good news for the Packers as Mulumbu has been able to come back into the game.
Rodgers tried a spectacular deep pass down the sideline, but James Jones can't get his feet down in bounds and drops it as he lands.
On third down, Rodgers is almost sacked, but he just manages to escape the clutches of McDonald before going for a deep pass for Randall Cobb, who is brought down just short of the end zone.
Lacy tries to barge his way over from four yards out, but is stopped at the two-yard line. There'll be a break though as David Bakhtiari picked up an injury on the play.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 13-17 Packers (Kuhn)
John Kuhn is handed the ball from one yard out and manages to power his way over the line to put the Packers back in front before Crosby adds the extra.
LaMichael James makes a good kick return, bringing the ball out to the San Francisco 37. Gore picks up seven on the run before Kaepernick has another run himself, gaining 24 and taking them into Green Bay territory. There's seems to be much more urgency about the 49ers' offense now that they're behind again.
There's yet another injury break for the Packers as House appears to have picked up a knock while covering Crabtree. Incidentally, he was penalised for holding on the play, moving the 49ers face yards closer to the end zone.
INJURY UPDATE! Back to the Packers' previous injury, David Bakhitiari is being evaluated for a concussion. Meanwhile, House has managed to job to the sideline under his own steam, but now appears to be having his ankle looked at on the sideline.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 20-17 Packers (Davis)
Vernon Davis takes just his second catch of the game, but it's a vital one for the visitors, as it puts them back in front. The Packers prioritise covering Boldin, allowing Davis to get the better of Hawk with his impressive pace to collect a 28-yard bullet from Kaepernick. Dawson adds the extra point to put the 49ers a field goal up again.
Jordy Nelson gets the first down, collecting an 11-yard pass from Rodgers. Lacy is left with an open field ahead of him on the next play, but drops a lateral pass from the quarterback. That's a big drop as Patrick Willis and Eric Reid were both out of position, he's have had a good chance of making the end zone if he's held on to that.
Rodgers comes under pressure in the pocket on third down, needing five yards to move the chains, but he finds Kuhn again to escape and keep the drive alive.
Once again it's the great escape by Rodgers, as he narrowly avoid a sack from Aldon Smith before completing a 25-yard pass to Randall Cobb, moving the Packers inside the San Francisco 10. All of a sudden this has become a very hopeful looking drive for the home side. After a slow third quarter, this is building into quite a dramatic finale.
Randall Cobb is held up for a one-yard gain, before Rodgers throws the ball through the back of the end zone. One third down, Rodgers attempts to take it in himself, but he faces a wall of defensive players and goes down. Mike McCarthy decides to play is safe, and brings on Mason Crosby for a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL! 49ers 20-20 Packers (Crosby)
The scores are level as we head into the final five minutes of the game, with Crosby easing over a 24-yard chip shot.
The 49ers take a touchback from the kickoff, but Crabtree makes good progress with the first play of the drive, picking up a first down. Kaepernick tries to force a big gain on the next two plays though, overthrowing a deep pass for David before almost being intercepted by Hyde while looking for Boldin. The quarterback is looking rather nervy.
Kaepernick composes himself well on third down and skips out of the pocket before throwing the ball 17 yards for Crabtree and a fresh set of downs.
TWO MINUTE WARNING! Frank Gore hauls in a rare forward pass to pick up 11 yards and move the Packers into San Francisco territory.
Phil Dawson is keeping himself loose on the sideline as he may have to be on hand to try a potentially game winning field goal kick. None of the games so far this weekend have gone into overtime. Can either side add to their score before the end of the quarter?
The Packers defense holds Kaepernick back well on the first two plays, forcing an incompletion and a short Gore gain. However, on third down, Kaepernick manages to wrong-foot Bush, and dashes 11 yards for a third down. The 49ers are now well inside Phil Dawson's field goal range.
Gore gets another couple of short gains, leaving the 49ers leaving three on third down. He gets the carry again and looks to have got the distance for a first down, but the officials are going to take a measurement, but he's in by a couple of inches. The 49ers can now run down the clock and leave Dawson a chip shot to win the game.
Gore picks up a couple, and now Dawson is one for a 33-yard effort to win it for the 49ers. No pressure!
FIELD GOAL! 49ers 23-20 Packers (Dawson)
END OF FOURTH QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 23-20 Green Bay Packers
The San Francisco 49ers manage the clock perfectly on the final drive of the game to seal their place in the divisional round of the playoffs. From the second quarter, it looked like whichever team had the final possession would go on to win, and that proved to be case.
Progressing from here won't be easy for the 49ers, they face a tricky trip to the Carolina Panthers next weekend, while the two other NFC sides still in contention, the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, have already beaten them this season.
It'll be a tough pill to swallow for the Packers. They were undone by Kaepernick on the run in last season's playoffs, and the quarterback showed his rushing ability again today. That's now just one win in the Packers' last four post-season games.
Well that rounds off our live coverage of the wildcard round of the playoffs, but stick around for reports from both of today's games, and join us again next week for the divisional round of games. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.
