Dre Greenlaw's Big Interception Seals 49ers Trip to NFC Title Game

Former Hogs' LB's big play sets up possible matchup with Lions, former Razorbacks next week

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jan 21, 2024 12:48 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Dre Greenlaw is still making big plays when it matters. For former Arkansas player secured the San Francisco 49ers spot in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday by looking like intended receiver for Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love in the final minute Saturday night.

His diving interception secured a 24-21 win to send the 49ers to yet another conference championship game and potentially the Super Bowl in Houston on Feb. 11. There is another hurdle to clear that could involve a couple of other former Razorback players.

The 49ers will play the winner of the Detroit-Tampa Bay game on Sunday at 2 p.m. on NBC and fuboTV. Hogs' Frank Ragnow and Dan Skipper play for the Lions, who are looking to keep hopes alive for their first chance to ever play in a Super Bowl.

Greenlaw also made a big stop earlier in the game when Green Bay went for a first down on fourth-and-1 from its own 14-yard line. The Packers handed the ball to Aaron Jones, who was stopped by Greenlaw and defensive lineman Arik Armstead.

The Packers' turnover on downs gave the 49ers offense a jumpstart, and quarterback Brock Purdy led a 12-play, 86-yard scoring drive capped off by a 32-yard touchdown pass while on the move to Kittle. Purdy threw three, 10-plus yard completions on that series, connecting with Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk before the go-ahead score to his surefire tight end.

Greenlaw had 8 tackles in the game, 6 solo ones and that big interception at the end. It was the one that sealed the game on a pass from Purdy that missed anybody in a Packers' uniform, but Greenlaw made the diving catch, then tried to run downfield with everybody in San Francisco yelling for him to just get down.

49ers Dre Greenlaw returns late interception against Packers — San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) runs after making an interception against Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) during the third quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi's Stadium.
Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports

He also played in high school for the Fayetteville Bulldogs before going to the Razorbacks and playing under Bret Bielema and being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Greenlaw is also the older brother of current Razorbacks quarterback Jacolby Criswell.

Brandon Allen, the former Razorbacks quarterback, is also on the 49ers roster, but was not active for Saturday's game, listed as the No. 3 quarterback. About the only way he gets into a game is a rash of injuries.