San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Malcolm Smith returned a Russell Wilson tip-ball interception for an OT-clinching score on the play where Richard Sherman tipped Kaepernick's pass to Michael Crabtree at the goal line in the closing seconds, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the 49ers 23-17 at CenturyLink Field in the NFC Championship game. Colin Kaepernick threw for 153 yards with two interceptions. Frank Gore ran for 14. The 49ers fell to 14-5 and the championship-window team's 2013 ended.[1][2][3]

Richard Sherman tipped Colin Kaepernick's pass to Michael Crabtree at the goal line in the closing seconds Sunday afternoon at CenturyLink Field. Malcolm Smith intercepted the deflected ball. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 23-17 in the NFC Championship game. The 49ers fell to 14-5 and the championship-window team's 2013 ended.

Colin Kaepernick threw for 153 yards with two interceptions. Frank Gore ran for 14. Anquan Boldin caught six for 95. Vernon Davis caught one for 19. The 49ers' offense produced 17 points and the defense gave up 23.

Russell Wilson threw for 215 yards and a touchdown. Marshawn Lynch ran for 109. The Seahawks' Legion of Boom defense generated the closing-seconds interception. The kind of NFC Championship game where the championship-window team's competitive identity, in the third 49ers-Seahawks meeting of the year, fell to the kind of closing-minutes interception the rebuild had not produced. 14-5. The 2013 season ends.

Seahawks 23, 49ers 17. Margin: -6. NFC Championship.

• Richard Sherman: tipped Kaepernick pass to Crabtree at goal line in closing seconds.
• Malcolm Smith: returned tipped INT to clinch.
• Russell Wilson: 16-of-25 for 215, 1 TD.
• Marshawn Lynch: 22 carries for 109, 1 TD.
• Doug Baldwin: 6 catches for 106, 1 TD.
• Colin Kaepernick: 14-of-24 for 153, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
• Frank Gore: 14 carries for 14.
• Anquan Boldin: 6 catches for 95.
• Vernon Davis: 1 catch for 19.
• 49ers led 10-0 then 17-13 entering 4th quarter.
• Seahawks scored 10 unanswered to win.
• 49ers 14-5; season ends.

A 23-17 NFC Championship road loss to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The 49ers fall to 14-5 and the championship-window team's 2013 ends in the third 49ers-Seahawks matchup of the year.

How it unfolded

The 49ers built a 10-0 lead behind a Vernon Davis touchdown reception. Russell Wilson answered with a touchdown to Doug Baldwin. Marshawn Lynch ran in a touchdown. Phil Dawson kicked a field goal. The 49ers led 17-13 entering the fourth quarter. Lynch added a goal-line touchdown to give the Seahawks a 20-17 lead. Steven Hauschka kicked a field goal to make it 23-17. With under 30 seconds left, Kaepernick threw a pass to Michael Crabtree at the goal line. Richard Sherman tipped the ball. Malcolm Smith intercepted it.

The turning point

Richard Sherman's tip of Colin Kaepernick's pass to Michael Crabtree at the goal line in the closing seconds. With the championship-window team needing one more play to take the lead in the closing seconds of the NFC Championship game, Sherman's tipped ball became Malcolm Smith's interception and the Seahawks' Super Bowl bid.

By the numbers

Kaepernick 14-of-24 for 153 with one TD and two INTs. Gore 14 carries for 14. Boldin 6 catches for 95. Davis 1 catch for 19 with a TD. Russell Wilson 16-of-25 for 215 with a TD. Marshawn Lynch 22 carries for 109 with a TD. Doug Baldwin 6 catches for 106 with a TD.

Personnel watch

Richard Sherman's tipped pass becoming the play of the year for the Seahawks. Kaepernick's two interceptions defined the closing minutes. Gore's 14 rushing yards. The defense gave up 109 to Lynch. The kind of NFC Championship game where the championship-window team's competitive identity fell to the closing-seconds Sherman play.

What it means

14-5. Season ends. The kind of NFC Championship-game loss that, in real time, became one of the most-replayed playoff moments in modern league history (the Sherman tip). The 2014 season will be Harbaugh's last with the 49ers.