The 49ers proved they were the better team as they dominated the Packers 37-20 while running the ball 42 times in the NFC Championship Game Sunday. Jimmy Garoppolo threw only eight passes for a total of 77 yards and the 49ers defense finished the game with two interceptions and one forced fumble en route to Super Bowl 54.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was in a joyful mood in the locker following the game and comically responded to hearing how little the 49ers threw the ball. “We didn’t even hit double digits? That’s insane.”
The Niners dominated the running game through Raheem Mostert, the 27-year-old who had previously been cut by six NFL teams before joining San Francisco in 2016. After barely being used the last couple of years, Mostert has become one of the league’s most-improved players rushing for 772 yards and eight touchdowns on 137 carries. Against Green Bay, he carried the ball 29 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry, all of which are career-highs.
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Following the game a jubilant Mostert told the media, “You know, I did have a lot of doubters and naysayers, and now I get to actually tell them look at where I’m at now. I never gave up on my dream. I never gave up on the opportunities when it presented itself. And I always worked hard no matter what. And it’s crazy that I’ve been on seven different teams. I actually still have the cut dates. And I look at that before every game. I look at the cut dates when I got cut. I’ve been on, like I said, seven different teams. The journey’s been crazy. Not even — not everybody can deal with that type of stress and pain and agony that I went through.”
His rushing yards were the second most in playoff history and the most in 49ers franchise history. His four touchdowns are also the second most by a player in playoff history.
“He has earned everything that he’s gotten,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He earned today and he’s just such a good person and for him to help us as much as he has on offense and I mean, you guys saw the play he made last week on special teams. … But I can’t say enough good things about Raheem.”
To go along with three turnovers, the Niners’ defense sacked Aaron Rodgers three times and didn’t allow the Packers to find the endzone until the second half. In two weeks we’ll see if they can keep Patrick Mahomes in check during Super Bowl LIV.
