49ers Beat Saints: Alex Smith, Vernon Davis Top Drew Brees To Advance To NFC Championship Game (VIDEO)

What a method to celebrate the 30-year wedding anniversary of "The Capture. "

Joe Montana in order to Dwight Clark after that.

Alex Smith in order to Vernon Davis right now.

Smith completed the 14-yard touchdown move to Davis along with 9 seconds left soon after Drew Brees experienced put the high-powered New orleans saints ahead, and resurgent Bay area capitalized on 5 New Orleans turnovers for any thrilling 36-32 playoff triumph Saturday.

"This is huge for all of us, " Davis stated. "It's history, renowned, anything you may describe. "

Smith ran for any 28-yard TD along with 2: 11 left as well as threw another rating pass to Davis within the first quarter. Coach Jim Harbaugh's NFC Western champions (14-3) proved that the hard-hitting, stingy defense may still win within the modern, wide-open NFL through holding off among league's most powerful offenses.

Brees finished a 66-yard landing pass to Jimmy Graham along with 1: 37 left and also the Saints seemed ready to rally from an earlier 17-point deficit whenever Smith and Davis delivered once again. It was the wild back-and-forth finish featuring a remarkable passing duel within the waning moments.

Their highlight show came within the opposite end area from where Clark captured a stretched-out 6-yard move from Montana upon Jan. 10, 1982. Saturday's game-winner with a leaping Davis – who plowed on the defender as he or she landed – came within the same end area where Steve Youthful hit Terrell Owens for any winning TD along with 3 seconds left inside a 30-27 wild-card conquer the Packers within the 1999 playoffs. Capital t. O. 's grab became referred to as "The Catch II. inch

How about that one?


"You've got in order to call it the actual grab, " Davis stated of his perform. "We were lower. I had to create it happen to consider my teammates where you want to go. "

San Francisco triumphed within its first playoff online game in nine years and can move on to manage the Gambling or defending champ Green Bay Packers, that play Sunday. A win through the Giants would provide the 49ers the house field.

The 49ers drawn off another last-second win inside a season full of these – and on the day former trainer George Seifert offered as honorary captain for that coin toss. Bay area came from at the rear of for five victories throughout the regular season, four on the highway.

Davis, who wept about the sideline afterward times after saying he or she was overwhelmed earlier by Harbaugh's heavy playbook, finished along with seven catches with regard to 180 yards. It had been the most yards receiving with a tight end inside a playoff game. He or she averaged 25. 7 back yards per catch.

Brees came upward big down the stretch just like he did within a record-setting season, also hitting Darren Sproles for any 44-yard TD along with 4: 02 remaining – among Sproles' 15 attracts for 119 back yards.

"It stings right now due to the expectation level that people had coming in to this tournament and knowning that if we earn here we're to the NFC championship online game and anything sometimes happens, " Brees stated. "That's tough. Tough to swallow at this time. "

The 49ers additionally showed that protection can still dominate within the days of large passers like Brees.

Along with Donte Whitner getting the bruising strikes and Dashon Goldson, Meat Willis and their own defensive mates pressuring Brees as well as forcing turnovers through every angle, surprising San Francisco is really a win away from time for the Super Bowl for the very first time since capturing the actual proud franchise's fifth championship following the 1994 season.

Brees, in whose team was arriving off consecutive 600-yard video games, completed 40 associated with 63 passes with regard to 462 yards as well as four touchdowns as well as was sacked 3 times. He also put two interceptions, his first within the postseason in 5 years, and New Orleans (14-4) dropped short again within its quest to return to the Super Dish after winning everything two years back. The Saints continue to be searching for the very first postseason road triumph in franchise background after falling in order to 0-5.

"Kind of a fantastic game the method it went backwards and forwards, " New Orleans trainer Sean Payton stated. "It's obviously a hard game to shed. "

How far these 49ers came since that 24-3 trouncing they took in August at the Superdome within the teams' exhibition opener. Right now, Harbaugh's "Who's first got it better than all of us? No-body! " group is actually drawing comparisons towards the good ol' times of Montana, Jerry Grain, Ronnie Lott as well as Steve Young. Not to mention, Dwight Clark, who came via with "The Catch" in order to beat Dallas within the NFC title online game on Jan. 10, 1982.

All-Pro Donald Akers, the Niners' the majority of experienced playoff experienced whose 44 area goals set the single-season record, kicked 3 more when this mattered most – through 25, 41 as well as 37 yards.

The underdog 49ers created the big performs on both sides from the ball and upon special teams.

"Guys had been so confident, so long as we had time we'd a shot, inch Smith said.

Additionally they had a towel-waving sellout group of 69, 732 in it at Candlestick Park on the beautiful sunny winter day within the Bay Area. It had been 62 degrees from kickoff.

Who Dat? It is the Saints headed home towards the Big Easy empty-handed.

Last year, New Orleans arrived on the scene West and suffered a wonderful loss to the actual 7-9 Seattle Seahawks within the NFC wild-card circular.

The Saints experienced lost five fumbles just about all season, then gave 3 away Saturday towards San Francisco's opportunistic protection that pressured all day long.

Harbaugh's theme "don't overcook this, " rang true since the 49ers relied on which got them here – probably the league's best protection and special groups.

Brees drove the Saints near to the goal line on the opening drive however Pierre Thomas dropped that fumble as well as was lost for that game to the head injury following being hit through Whitner. Two additional turnovers came upon special teams.

Cruz, the 2005 Absolutely no. 1 overall write pick booed so frequently his first 6 seasons, hit Davis on the 49-yard touchdown pass within the first quarter after which Michael Crabtree on the 4-yard TD strike since the 49ers jumped out to some quick 17-0 guide. He finished twenty-four for 42 with regard to 299 yards having a 103. 2 passer score.

"It shows he's becoming at the very top quarterback. I'm glad the planet could see exactly what he did these days, " Willis stated.

Smith and their offense were determined to create their mark upon these playoffs following being overlooked just about all season, and showed just a little flair of their very own. Davis dunked the football within the goal post following his score to create the Niners' most critical game on the actual NFL's big phase since rallying in order to stun the Gambling in January 2003.

Brees threw 2 first-half interceptions as well as had his NFL-record ability of 226 postseason passes with no interception snapped upon Goldson's pick within the opening quarter. Brees' streak dated towards the NFC championship online game against Chicago five in years past.

But he strike a well-guarded Graham for any leaping 14-yard touchdown catch in the 9: 32 mark from the second quarter, after that had a 25-yard TD conclusion to Marques Colston in order to send the New orleans saints into halftime trailing just 17-14.

Any momentum Brand new Orleans gained had been hurt when Colin Jones pressured return man Sproles to fumble following the 49ers punted on the first possession from the second half. That setup Akers' second field goal from the day.

Tim Tebow, Broncos Overcomes Steelers Late Rally To Win 29-23 In OT

Ben Roethlisberger was rarin' to visit after rallying the actual Pittsburgh Steelers within the fourth quarter.

Sitting on the sideline, the banged-up quarterback using the balky ankle was anxiously awaiting his chance to consider the field within overtime.

Given the brand new rules, all the Pittsburgh defense needed to do was contain the Denver Broncos to some field goal – or even, even better, the punt – as well as Roethlisberger would obtain another crack.

This didn't happen.

Next time Roethlisberger stepped on to the field had been to congratulate the actual Broncos. Tim Tebow proved helpful his magic just as before, hitting Demaryius Thomas to have an 80-yard catch and run inside a stunning 29-23 win within the AFC wild-card online game Sunday.

The play that ended the growing season for the Steelers (12-5) required 11 seconds and erased all of the hard work Roethlisberger experienced done to move Pittsburgh from fourteen points down.

"Any loss stinks personally and this isn't any different, " Roethlisberger stated. "It's hard to place into words at this time. It's a irritating thing. "

Times earlier, the Steelers had been poised to grab an improbable earn in regulation. Together with his team trailing 23-16 with under 4 minutes leftover, Roethlisberger found Jerricho Cotchery ultimately zone for the actual tying score.

After obtaining the ball back along with 1: 37 leftover, Roethlisberger – displaying little effects through an ankle injury which has been bothering him for around a month – went the team towards the outer edge associated with field-goal range.

Through there, it unraveled. Roethlisberger had the actual ball jarred free by Elvis Dumervil before pouncing onto it. But it pressed the Steelers from range and resulted in overtime.

The Broncos (9-8) received the coin throw and Tebow quickly visited work.

One perform later, the capacity group was roaring and also the Steelers were reeling. The Broncos move ahead to play Brand new England next weekend break.

"Nice job through those guys, inch Pittsburgh coach Paul Tomlin said. "They created the significant performs tonight. "

And took benefit of blown coverage about the game's final perform. Thomas hauled inside a play-action pass in the Denver 38, stiff-armed cornerback Ike Taylor after which outraced safety Ryan Mundy towards the end zone.

"I felt such as I probably might have helped Ike away, " said Mundy, who was filling out for Ryan Clark since the team's leading tackler sat out like a precaution due to a blood disorder that is exacerbated by altitude. "That's a difficult coverage for (Taylor). Absolutely no help, and my personal help was past due. This game was not on Ike. We win like a team, we lose like a team. "

Roethlisberger had the conversation with Taylor following the game, but wanted the precise nature of it to stay private.

"I informed him I cherished him, " Roethlisberger stated.

The Steelers joined this game like a nine-point favorite despite the fact that they were dinged up at just about any position. Roethlisberger had been bothered by a good ankle injury, but nonetheless played.

And pretty much, too, finishing 22 associated with 44 for 289 yards and something TD pass. He or she also threw a good interception.

Tailback Rashard Mendenhall didn't play as a result of knee injury as well as Pro Bowl middle Maurkice Pouncey was inactive for that game due to a sore ankle.

Later on, the Steelers dropped left tackle Max Starks to some right knee condition.

If that was not enough, Pittsburgh also experienced defensive linemen Brett Keisel (groin) as well as Casey Hampton (remaining knee) leave the overall game with injuries.

An issue? Tomlin wouldn't actually entertain that idea.

"We don't reside in that world, inch he said. "We don't make excuses when it comes to injuries. The guys we placed on the field had been capable of performing and the cause we didn't get the job done is because all of us didn't perform. inch

Making his first appearance within the playoffs after heading 7-4 as Denver's beginner, Tebow outdueled Roethlisberger, the two-time Super Dish winner, who fell to 10-4 within the playoffs. The Broncos additionally snapped a three-game dropping streak that experienced many wondering when they were even worth their first playoff look in six months.

Turns out, maybe these were.

"We're just the fighting team – lots of resilience, " cornerback Champion Bailey said. "In any kind of adverse situation, we'll discover a way to get from it.

"Everybody says we backed to the playoffs – we are in. We did something right on the way. "

With Tebow at the forefront, unorthodox style as well as all.

"He received. That's all which matters, " security Troy Polamalu stated of Tebow. "They received, I should state.

"They'll be in a position to play New England in a few days and that'll be a good challenge on their behalf. "

Tim Tebow, Broncos Beat Steelers In Overtime: Denver Wins On TD Pass To Demaryius Thomas (VIDEO)

"Pull the actual trigger, " Steve Elway told their Denver Broncos celebrity, Tim Tebow, attempting to shake the quarterback from the three-game funk.

Tebow proceeded to go one better – he or she pulled off a good upset.

A rejuvenated Tebow associated with Demaryius Thomas with an electrifying 80-yard touchdown spread the first perform of overtime and also the Broncos defeated the actual stunned Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 within the AFC wild-card online game on Sunday.

Wild doesn't start to describe it. The play required 11 seconds as well as was the quickest ending for an overtime in NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE history.

Thomas hauled inside a high play-action pass in the Denver 38, stiff-armed Ike Taylor after which outraced backup security Ryan Mundy towards the end zone.

"I had been just saying, `Man believe in your speed. Believe in your speed. Don't reduce. Don't cut back again. ' And he or she kept it directly. He outran the actual guy, " stated Willis McGahee, in whose fourth-quarter fumble assisted Pittsburgh tie this.

"I was such as, `Oh my Lord, is he nevertheless running? ' Make sure you just go. Make sure you. Please. "

Tebow, who had done alongside nothing in the 2nd half after the 20-point explosion within the second quarter, looked as startled as everybody else. He chased lower Thomas and knelt on a single knee – Tebowing because it's known – ultimately zone while the actual crowd was heading crazy. Then he or she pounded a closed fist in triumph as well as took a triumph lap.

"When We saw him rating, first of just about all, I just believed, `Thank you, Head of the family, '" Tebow stated. "Then, I had been running pretty quick, chasing him – like I will catch up in order to D. T! I quickly just jumped to the stands, first period I've done which. That was enjoyable. Then, got on the knee and thanked god, the father again and attempted to celebrate along with my teammates and also the fans. "

At the rear of Tebow's season-high 316 back yards passing, the Broncos (9-8) are going to New England for any second-round game from the top-seeded Patriots (13-3) upon Saturday night.

The actual Patriots walloped the actual Broncos 41-23 final month, sending Tebow right into a funk that incorporated seven turnovers along with a 40 percent conclusion clip – as well as prompting Elway in order to implore him in order to "pull the trigger" within the playoffs.

Did he or she ever.

And in contrast to Elway, who lost their first postseason start – towards the Steelers at house in 1984 – Tebow is 1-0 within the playoffs.

"We're only a fighting team. Lots of resilience, " cornerback Champion Bailey said. "In any kind of adverse situation, we'll discover a way to get from it. Everybody says we backed to the playoffs, we're within. We did something right on the way. We're in this. We won a game title. Now, we've reached go try to win a different one. "

The Steelers (12-5) dropped despite Ben Roethlisberger rallying injury-depleted Pittsburgh from the two-touchdown halftime debt with 10 points within the final 10 min's.

Pittsburgh called tails for that overtime coin throw, and it arrived up heads.

Tebow, who engineered 5 fourth-quarter comebacks as well as three OT wins within the regular season, wasted virtually no time finding Thomas within the middle with simply his second spread first down through the night – and their first completion.

Thomas also experienced receptions of fifty-one and 58 yards to setup second-quarter touchdowns following Tebow lost their top target, Eric Decker, to some seriously injured remaining knee, in the very first half.

"They had been the No. 1 defense and we're the No. 1 criminal offense running the golf ball, " Thomas stated. "So, I feel such as they wanted to create a statement and cease the run. I have no idea if they forgot concerning the passing game. The final couple of games that people had, we weren't passing the golf ball that great. inch

Thus, Elway's admonition.

"I seem like he came away and played assured, " Eddie Regal said. "And I believe that's what John was attempting to tell him: Play how you know how in order to play. And Ricky did that. He was smart using the ball and truly led this criminal offense today. "

Tebow's passer score of 125. 6 was the greatest in Broncos postseason background.

"He showed he is a quarterback within the NFL, case shut, " McGahee stated. "They say he or she couldn't throw. They said we wouldn't have the ability to run the ball in it. We did which. I wonder what they will say next 7 days. "

Mundy was playing instead of Ryan Clark, the Steelers' top tackler who sat that one out due to a blood condition that is exacerbated at altitude.

"We dropped, and it's not really because I did not play; we experienced very capable men that played nicely, " said Clark, who was one of many Steelers sidelined or even injured. Pro Dish center Maurkice Pouncey had been out, replaced through Doug Legursky, who had a poor snap right prior to halftime that moved Pittsburgh from field goal variety.

On the very first snap of overtime, Thomas taken in Tebow's high move and raced lower the Broncos sideline, delivering the crowd, such as Elway, the Broncos professional vice president, right into a frenzy at Sports activities Authority Field, that was rocking like the actual old Mile High Stadium in the 1990s.

McGahee offered the play-action nicely, drawing safety Troy Polamalu yet others up to the line to protect the run as well as leaving Thomas with room about the crossing pattern to seize the pass and switch on the jets for that 80-yard score, Tebow's longest pass play like a pro.

"It was just a little surprising, " Steelers linebacker Wayne Farrior said. "But I suppose he's been spending so much time. He's taken lots of criticism over recent years weeks about their throwing motion, their passing game. Such as I said previously, he's a rival. You keep attempting to down a man, and a man like him who's a difficult competitor, he's likely to get you once. "

Hines Ward known as this defeat "just because disappointing" as final year's loss in order to Green Bay within the Super Bowl.

"I've been on lots of really good groups, thank God, and I experienced this team had been up there together, " Polamalu stated. "We weren't in a position to stay healthy as well as keep a cohesiveness like we desired to. "

Tebow completed 10 associated with 21 passes as well as Thomas hauled in four of these for 204 back yards after Decker was injured on the hit by linebacker Wayne Harrison.

Thomas, who missed instruction camp while coping with a torn Achilles and the beginning of the season while coping with a fractured hand, has come on strong recently, averaging 109 yards during the last six games.

However the Broncos' top pick this year – taken three slots in front of Tebow in the very first round – had not had done anything such as this.

"It's amazing simply because I haven't performed explosive like Used to do in college in quite a long time, " Thomas stated.

Tebow threw 2 TD passes as well as ran 10 occasions for 50 yards along with a touchdown.

"I think we executed a bit better. We tried to step-up, " he stated. "We knew it had been win or proceed home. This team desired to fight. We desired to play another online game. "

These two groups had played the very first ever regular period overtime game upon Sept. 22, 1974, within Denver. Now, they played the very first non-sudden death playoff game ever. The new rules required both teams to find the ball in the additional period providing presently there wasn't a landing by either the actual offense or protection.

Tebow took treatment of that in a rush.

Making his first appearance within the playoffs after heading 7-4 as Denver's beginner, Tebow outplayed Roethlisberger, a two-time Extremely Bowl winner playing on the bad ankle, who fell to 10-4 within the playoffs.

Roethlisberger had been 22 for forty for 289 back yards with one TD, 1 interception and 5 sacks. Tebow wasn't removed once by the actual league's top protection.

The Broncos clicked a three-game dropping streak that experienced many wondering when they were even worth their first playoff within six seasons, also it kept the Steelers using their 34th playoff earn, which would possess broken a tie using the Cowboys for probably the most ever.

Tebow led Colorado to 20 second-quarter points – they'd scored just 13 within the quarter in their 11 starts – however a 20-6 halftime guide didn't last lengthy.

Receiver Mike Wallace experienced a 1-yard TD operate, Shaun Suisham kicked a brief field goal as well as Jerricho Cotchery snapped up a 31-yard TD move with 3: forty eight left in legislation to tie this.

The Steelers had been nearing field goal range within the final minute of regulation however the Broncos sacked Roethlisberger 3 times on that last drive, forcing the fumble that Roethlisberger retrieved.

"We were shifting it and we'd a shot, inch Roethlisberger said. "Someone obtained, it felt just like a finger, on the actual ball and bumped it out. Next, you're trying in order to throw a 70-yard Hail Mary and that is hard. "

Roethlisberger never obtained the ball back again as Tebow put into his growing listing of impossible victories within the blink of a watch and a flick from the wrist.

"He gets lots of flak when things fail, " Clark stated, "but he performed phenomenal today. inch

Notes: This had been the Broncos' 2nd playoff win because Elway retired subsequent his second directly Super Bowl sucess in 1999, as well as their first because Jan. 14, 2006, once they handed Tom Brady their first playoff reduction. The Broncos lost towards the Steelers the subsequent week.... This was the very first OT playoff game because the Saints beat the actual Vikings 31-28 within the NFC championship upon Jan. 24, 2010.