The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31 on Saturday night. Here are the offensive grades:
Colin Kaepernick: A+
While Kaepernick wasn't 100-percent perfect, he proved to everyone why he is an NFL quarterback. After throwing a pick-six on his first possession, he rebounded from it and grew before our very eyes. He answered the call by making throws when needed on third down and read the defense of the Packers to perfection.
Running Backs: A
This was Frank Gore's first 100 yard game for the first time in 10 outings. Gore had great vision of the open field and had some bursts where he could have taken it to the end zone. This was his best game since Week 7 against the Seahawks. LaMichael James also did well in his limited time as the backup RB. He finished with 21 rushing yards on three carries. Anthony Dixon sealed the game with a touchdown on his only carry from the game.
Wide Receivers: A-
If this was a grade for Michael Crabtree alone, it would've been an "A+" for his performance. The Packers double-teamed him for most of the game and he was still effective with 119 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. He continued his season long trend by being the go-to guy on third downs. There wasn't much production from anyone else as Ted Ginn and Randy Moss combined for only three receptions and 28 yards. A.J. Jenkins was on the field, but wasn't thrown to. On a positive note, Ginn laid a key block on Kaepernick's 56-yard touchdown run.
Tight Ends: C
The Packers had Vernon Davis guarded for most of the game, but he was effective for one play. He beat A.J. Hawk for a 44-yard reception which later set up a 49ers touchdown. For most of the game, he was blocking for everyone else. Delanie Walker had one catch for 17 yards, but had three drops. Despite the tight end position being targeted 10 times, Walker and Davis combined for just two receptions.
Offensive line: A+
There were only two mistakes for the entire game by the offensive line. Jonathan Goodwin had one bad snap and Joe Staley allowed Clay Matthews to sack Kaepernick. Otherwise, this unit played perfect throughout the game giving holes for Frank Gore and providing space for Kaepernick to make plays. With the exception of the lone sack, there was no pressure on the quarterback for the rest of the game. When there was good coverage by the Packers' secondary, Kaepernick had room to roam with no one chasing him. Everyone was terrific in pass protection and run blocking.
Coaching: A+
Greg Roman went back to the basics of running the football for the 49ers offensively. It worked and evolved as running with the pistol formation was unstoppable against the Packers. He didn't have Kaepernick throwing the ball as much and let Gore along with the running game do the work. The 49ers were scoring touchdowns in the red zone in five out of six trips. The only field goal came right before half time. In a playoff game where the game plan matters most, this was Roman's finest moment for the entire season.
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