NFC Championship: 49ers Ride the Mostert Steamroller to Super Bowl LIV

You've gotta hand it to Raheem Mostert.

Jimmy Garoppolo did. Early and often.

29 carries and 220 yards later, the former Purdue Boilermaker had chugged his way into the end zone to highlight a 37-20 San Francisco victory over the Green Bay Packers that never really seemed that close.

 

This was a classic example of a team's play caller saying to keep running it until they stop it. That's essentially all the 49ers did.

As to the Packers, they never really found one. Aaron Rodgers ultimately racked up a few stats -- 31-39 for 326 yards and 2 TDs -- but they were only useful to the fantasy leagues and his next contract negotiation. Dude's momentum-killing lost fumble and 2 INTs were much more indicative of the Niner defensive dominance on display all day.

 

That, of course, was Nick Bosa, erstwhile second overall draft pick last spring. That's the spot San Francisco earned due to their dismal 4-12 record in 2018. Needless to say, this was a wise choice.

The Niner D skunked Green Bay -- in every sense of the term -- for the entire first half. By then, their offense ran up a 27-0 lead, which allowed them to hit cruise control for the rest of the game.

 

Virtually any offensive lineman will say that run blocking's a hella lotta more fun than pass blocking. Among other things, they're dishing rather than absorbing.

In this game, the Niners' crew did some serious dishing, and Mostert read their work well.

 

Prior to this season, Mostert was best known for his special teams performances. In fact, dude only had his number called eight times in his first three NFL campaigns with the 49ers.

Before being signed to their practice squad in 2016, he'd been cut by seven other teams.

Life's different now:

• He led San Francisco in rushing this season with 772 yards,
• He's now logged the second-most yards rushing in a playoff game, after Eric Dickerson’s 248 for the Rams in January 1986, and
• He's the first player to rush for at least four TDs and 200 yards in a playoff game.

 

While Garoppolo spent most of the day having the best seat in the house, he did make the most of his six pass completions.

Especially on the 49ers' second possession. After opening the drive with a 16-yard completion to WR Deebo Samuel, he went back to the rook two players later for this spiffy little pickup:

 

Back on Sun 24 Nov, the Pack ventured out to Levi's Stadium and got cracked, 37-8. On the bright side, they did more with their garbage time in this one, but ...

 

The same can now be said for their season.

San Francisco, on the other hand, will be heading to their first Super Bowl in seven years. If they earn their sixth Lombardi Trophy, they'll join the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots for the most all-time with six.

One thing's for sure: Garoppolo will be well-rested for the attempt.