New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Vernon Davis caught a 14-yard touchdown from Alex Smith with 9 seconds left and the 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 at Candlestick Park in the NFC divisional round. Frank Gore ran for 89 yards. Smith threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Drew Brees threw for 462 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers' defense forced five takeaways. The 49ers improved to 14-3 and advanced to the NFC Championship game.[1][2][3]

Vernon Davis caught a 14-yard touchdown from Alex Smith with 9 seconds left Saturday afternoon at Candlestick Park. The 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 in the kind of NFC divisional-round home win where the year-one Harbaugh team's competitive identity, in Alex Smith's first playoff start, produced the kind of playoff performance the year-one regime had been working toward.

Smith threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Vernon Davis caught seven for 180 and two touchdowns including the game-winner. Frank Gore ran for 89. Michael Crabtree caught four for 36 and a touchdown. The kind of Saturday-afternoon home divisional-round game where the offensive identity, in Smith's first playoff start, was firmly in the conference's championship-mix.

Drew Brees threw for 462 yards and four touchdowns. Jimmy Graham caught seven for 103. Marques Colston caught nine for 136. The 49ers' defense forced five takeaways. The kind of Saturday-afternoon home divisional-round win where the year-one Harbaugh team's competitive identity, in the kind of late-game closing drive Alex Smith had not been known for, was the year's signature playoff moment. 14-3 with the NFC Championship at home next Sunday vs the Packers-Giants survivor.

49ers 36, Saints 32. Margin: +4. NFC Divisional Round.

• Vernon Davis: 14y game-winning TD reception from Smith with 9 seconds left.
• Alex Smith: 24-of-42 for 299, 3 TDs (1st playoff start) + rushing TD on 28y scramble with 2:11 left.
• Vernon Davis: 7 catches for 180, 2 TDs.
• Frank Gore: 17 carries for 89.
• Michael Crabtree: 4 catches for 36, 1 TD.
• Drew Brees: 40-of-63 for 462, 4 TDs.
• Jimmy Graham: 7 catches for 103.
• Marques Colston: 9 catches for 136, 1 TD.
• Darren Sproles: 7 carries for 36, 1 TD.
• 49ers D: 5 takeaways.
• Lead changed 4 times in last 4:02.
• 49ers 14-3; Saints out.
• 49ers advance to NFC Championship.

A 36-32 NFC divisional-round home win over the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park. The 49ers improve to 14-3 in Alex Smith's first playoff start.

How it unfolded

Smith threw a touchdown to Vernon Davis to give the 49ers an early lead. The Saints answered with a Sproles rushing touchdown. Both teams traded touchdowns. The 49ers led 17-14 at halftime. The third quarter was a Brees touchdown to Marques Colston. The fourth quarter exploded: Smith ran in a 28-yard touchdown with 2:11 left to give the 49ers a 29-24 lead. Brees threw a touchdown to Jimmy Graham to make it 32-29. Smith drove the 49ers down the field. Vernon Davis caught the game-winning 14-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left.

The turning point

Vernon Davis's 14-yard game-winning touchdown reception with 9 seconds left. With the year-one Harbaugh team down 32-29 in the closing minute and the home playoff crowd seeing the kind of late-game drama the franchise had not produced in years, Davis's catch produced one of the most-celebrated playoff moments in 49ers history ("The Catch III").

By the numbers

Smith 24-of-42 for 299 with three TDs (including the game-winner) plus a 28-yard rushing TD. Gore 17 carries for 89. Vernon Davis 7 catches for 180 with two TDs. Crabtree 4 catches for 36 with a TD. Drew Brees 40-of-63 for 462 with four TDs. Jimmy Graham 7 catches for 103. Marques Colston 9 catches for 136. Darren Sproles 7 carries for 36 with a rushing TD. The 49ers' five takeaways.

Personnel watch

Vernon Davis's 180-yard playoff receiving game with two TDs including the game-winner. Smith's career-best playoff performance in his first playoff start. The lead changed four times in the final 4:02. The kind of Saturday-afternoon home divisional-round performance where the year-one Harbaugh team's competitive identity, in Smith's first playoff start, produced the year's signature playoff moment (The Catch III).

What it means

14-3. NFC Championship game at home next Sunday vs the Packers-Giants survivor. The Saturday-afternoon home divisional-round win confirms the year-one Harbaugh team's playoff identity. The Catch III becomes one of the most-celebrated 49ers playoff moments in franchise history.