Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2012 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2012 NFL season on 2013-01-12, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 45–31 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with +9.76 total EPA, and +4.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-24.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (13:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 37-S.Shields at GB 48. 37-S.Shields for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Crabtree · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +12.77 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +9.76 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Kaepernick · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +8.40 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Kaepernick · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +7.97 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Jones · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +7.57 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Harris · Green Bay Packers · Rushing · +3.45 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 F. Gore · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.02 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
8. 8 G. Jennings · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Green Bay Packers — S. Shields (Q1 58:04)
• San Francisco 49ers — C. Kaepernick (Q1 54:09)
• Green Bay Packers — D. Harris (Q1 45:29)
• San Francisco 49ers — M. Crabtree (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q2 41:04)
• San Francisco 49ers — M. Crabtree (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q2 35:33)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Jones (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 32:39)
• San Francisco 49ers — C. Kaepernick (Q3 22:16)
• San Francisco 49ers — F. Gore (Q4 15:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — A. Dixon (Q4 3:42)
• Green Bay Packers — G. Jennings (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 1:07)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q2 30:03)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q3 23:38)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 53 (Q1 58:04); Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 57:48) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 20 (Q1 54:09) — (9:09) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 54:01) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 18 (Q1 45:29) — (:29) (No Huddle) 26-D.Harris up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 45:29) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 17–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 12 (Q2 41:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short middle to 15-M.Crabtree for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 9. 9-yds YAC; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 40:59) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 20 (Q2 35:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep left to 15-M.Crabtree for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. 0-yds YAC; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 35:26) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 20 (Q2 32:39) — (2:39) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 89-J.Jones for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. 0-yds YAC; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 32:33) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the GB 18 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 2-D.Akers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the SF 13 (Q3 23:38) — (8:38) 2-M.Crosby 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 56 (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 22:07) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 2 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 67-D.Kilgore and 68-L.Davis reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 14:57) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 2 (Q4 3:42); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 3:34) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-G.Jennings for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 0:57) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 58:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 37-S.Shields at GB 48. 37-S.Shields for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.1% · EPA -9.40]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +4.59]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:52) — (11:52) 4-A.Lee punts 40 yards to GB 10, Center-86-B.Jennings. 10-J.Ross MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by SF-27-C.Spillman at GB 9. 27-C.Spillman to GB 9 for no gain (10-J.Ross). A.Lee credited with 41-yard [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.19]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short middle to 15-M.Crabtree for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 9. 9-yds YAC [WPA +14.3% · EPA +3.57]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 46:08) — (1:08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 89-J.Jones to SF 18 for 44 yards (29-C.Culliver). Caught at SF 18. 0-yds YAC [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.08]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 58:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 37-S.Shields at GB 48. 37-S.Shields for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.1% · EPA -9.40]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:52) — (11:52) 4-A.Lee punts 40 yards to GB 10, Center-86-B.Jennings. 10-J.Ross MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by SF-27-C.Spillman at GB 9. 27-C.Spillman to GB 9 for no gain (10-J.Ross). A.Lee credited with 41-yard [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.19]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +4.59]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 46:08) — (1:08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 89-J.Jones to SF 18 for 44 yards (29-C.Culliver). Caught at SF 18. 0-yds YAC [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.08]

Quarterback report card

A.Rodgers led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 44 dropbacks · 59.1% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.76 total EPA
• C.Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -4.2% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +8.40 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.23), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +17.81 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, +29.34 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• San Francisco 49ers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Rodgers (GB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Kaepernick (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 58:04 · GB 53 · Score 6-0
   (13:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 37-S.Shields at GB 48. 37-S.Shields for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 57:48 · SF 2 · Score 7-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
3. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 54:09 · GB 20 · Score 7-6
   (9:09) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 54:01 · GB 2 · Score 7-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
5. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 45:29 · SF 18 · Score 13-7
   (:29) (No Huddle) 26-D.Harris up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 45:29 · SF 2 · Score 14-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
7. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 41:04 · GB 12 · Score 14-13
   (11:04) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short middle to 15-M.Crabtree for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 9. 9-yds YAC
8. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 40:59 · GB 2 · Score 14-14
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
9. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 35:33 · GB 20 · Score 14-20
   (5:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep left to 15-M.Crabtree for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. 0-yds YAC
10. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 35:26 · GB 2 · Score 14-21
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
11. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 32:39 · SF 20 · Score 20-21
    (2:39) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 89-J.Jones for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. 0-yds YAC
12. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 32:33 · SF 2 · Score 21-21
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
13. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · GB 18 · Score 21-24
    (:03) 2-D.Akers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
14. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q3 23:38 · SF 13 · Score 24-24
    (8:38) 2-M.Crosby 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
15. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 22:16 · GB 56 · Score 24-30
    (7:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 22:07 · GB 2 · Score 24-31
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
17. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · GB 2 · Score 24-37
    (15:00) 67-D.Kilgore and 68-L.Davis reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 14:57 · GB 2 · Score 24-38
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
19. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 3:42 · GB 2 · Score 24-44
    (3:42) 24-A.Dixon right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
20. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 3:34 · GB 2 · Score 24-45
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
21. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 1:07 · SF 3 · Score 30-45
    (1:07) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-G.Jennings for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 0:57 · SF 2 · Score 31-45
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.