Delicate Footwork
Delicate Footwork
Frigid fans congregated at the Lombardi statue.
Frigid fans congregated at the Lombardi statue.
Colin Kaepernick and Jim Harbaugh. One went sleeveless.
Colin Kaepernick and Jim Harbaugh. One went sleeveless.
Those aren’t real icicles, but they might as well be.
Those aren’t real icicles, but they might as well be.
Michael Crabtree was the most effective Niners weapon, with eight catches for 125 yards.
Michael Crabtree was the most effective Niners weapon, with eight catches for 125 yards.
Niners and Packers scramble for a loose ball.
Niners and Packers scramble for a loose ball.
Randall Cobb, in his second game back from a broken leg, looked spry on a kickoff return.
Randall Cobb, in his second game back from a broken leg, looked spry on a kickoff return.
Tramon Williams picked off Kaepernick early in the second quarter.
Tramon Williams picked off Kaepernick early in the second quarter.
When necessary, Aaron Rodgers resorted to the flip pass.
When necessary, Aaron Rodgers resorted to the flip pass.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson in the end zone for a five-yard TD that put the pack up 7-6 in the second quarter.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson in the end zone for a five-yard TD that put the pack up 7-6 in the second quarter.
And Nelson, who’s been there before, tossed the ball casually to an official afterward.
And Nelson, who’s been there before, tossed the ball casually to an official afterward.
The Niners regained the lead on a 10-yard Frank Gore touchdown run in the second quarter.
The Niners regained the lead on a 10-yard Frank Gore touchdown run in the second quarter.
Gore ground out 66 yards on 20 carries.
Gore ground out 66 yards on 20 carries.
Nelson was Rodgers’ favorite target, catching seven passes for 62 yards.
Nelson was Rodgers’ favorite target, catching seven passes for 62 yards.
Kaepernick, who beat the Packers in the playoffs last year, was in charge again.
Kaepernick, who beat the Packers in the playoffs last year, was in charge again.
LaMichael James ran into some green on a return.
LaMichael James ran into some green on a return.
Kaepernick added 98 rushing yards to his record 181 against the Pack from last year.
Kaepernick added 98 rushing yards to his record 181 against the Pack from last year.
Even the zebras were bundled. Temp at kickoff was 5 degrees.
Even the zebras were bundled. Temp at kickoff was 5 degrees.
Kaepernick dived to extend a scramble as Vernon Davis leapt to avoid contact with defenders.
Kaepernick dived to extend a scramble as Vernon Davis leapt to avoid contact with defenders.
Gore was his typically physical self.
Gore was his typically physical self.
As was Packers rookie Eddie Lacy, who bulled his way to 81 hard-earned yards.
As was Packers rookie Eddie Lacy, who bulled his way to 81 hard-earned yards.
James Starks broke into the open for a 10-yard scamper.
James Starks broke into the open for a 10-yard scamper.
Cobb, showing little effect from his injury, caught two big passes.
Cobb, showing little effect from his injury, caught two big passes.
John Kuhn had a sub-optimal Lambeau Leap after his fourth-quarter TD plunge put Green Bay up 17-13.
John Kuhn had a sub-optimal Lambeau Leap after his fourth-quarter TD plunge put Green Bay up 17-13.
The boys from the Bay wisely bundled up during a break.
The boys from the Bay wisely bundled up during a break.
Kaepernick was just 16 of 30 passing, for 227 yards...
Kaepernick was just 16 of 30 passing, for 227 yards...
... but threw perfectly to Vernon Davis for a 28-yard fourth-quarter score.
... but threw perfectly to Vernon Davis for a 28-yard fourth-quarter score.
More muscle from Eddy Lacy. On a day when passing conditions were less than ideal, the Niners outrushed the Pack, 167-124.
More muscle from Eddy Lacy. On a day when passing conditions were less than ideal, the Niners outrushed the Pack, 167-124.
Kaepernick ran on some designed scrambles but also took off on his own when necessary....
Kaepernick ran on some designed scrambles but also took off on his own when necessary....
As on the play of the game, the 11-yard sprint around the left side on 3rd-and-8 with 1:13 left.
As on the play of the game, the 11-yard sprint around the left side on 3rd-and-8 with 1:13 left.
Kaepernick’s scramble set up Phil Dawson’s 33-yard attempt.
Kaepernick’s scramble set up Phil Dawson’s 33-yard attempt.
The snap was clean.
The snap was clean.
As was Andy Lee’s hold.
As was Andy Lee’s hold.
Dawson’s kick slipped through the arms of the on-rushing Davon House.
Dawson’s kick slipped through the arms of the on-rushing Davon House.
The Packers corner was offside on the play in any event, and Dawson would have gotten another try.
The Packers corner was offside on the play in any event, and Dawson would have gotten another try.
But he didn’t need the second chance...
But he didn’t need the second chance...
...as the kick sailed inside the right upright.
...as the kick sailed inside the right upright.
Dawson spent his first 14 seasons with Cleveland and had only played once before in the postseason.
Dawson spent his first 14 seasons with Cleveland and had only played once before in the postseason.
His third three-pointer of the day gave the Niners the victory.
His third three-pointer of the day gave the Niners the victory.
A happy kicker didn’t seem to mind the sub-zero wind chill afterward. Carolina should be warmer.
A happy kicker didn’t seem to mind the sub-zero wind chill afterward. Carolina should be warmer.
