NFL Divisional Saturday Top Plays: 49ers stun Packers, Bengals down Titans
For the first time since the 2010 season, both No. 1 seeds lost their NFL playoff openers in the divisional round.
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals ventured to Tennessee and shocked the top-seeded Titans on a field goal in the final seconds, despite the return of star running back Derrick Henry.
And in the nightcap, the hard-nosed San Francisco 49ers turned the momentum with a blocked punt for a touchdown and pulled off a huge comeback victory over Aaron Rodgers and top-seeded Green Bay.
Here are the top plays from Saturday:
San Francisco 49ers 13, Green Bay Packers 10
That was easy
Green Bay wasted little time getting things going, opening with a 10-play, 69-yard drive capped by AJ Dillon's burst up the middle for six.
Punched free!
Fred Warner came away with a momentum-shifting play, poking the ball loose from GB's mitts, and giving his team a critical turnover.
Tight end U
George Kittle placed his imprint on the game near the close of the second half, coming away with a nimble one-handed grab on the sideline to spark San Francisco's first meaningful drive of the game.
A critical mistake from Jimmy Garoppolo, though, thwarted the Niners' attempt for points later in the drive. He threw an untimely interception to Adrian Amos.
Blocked!
The Packers had a chance to extend their lead before halftime, but San Francisco blocked Mason Crosby's field-goal attempt.
Do not pass "Go"
Down 10-3 and with the final quarter halfway through, the 49ers went for a crucial 4th-and-1. But the Packers' defense proved too dominant.
Special teams stunner
After San Francisco forced a three-and-out by the Packers, their special teams defense pulled off an incredible blocked punt and rookie safety Talanoa Hufanga returned it for a touchdown. And just like that, we had a tie game.
Gould-en
After the Niners charged down the field in the final minutes of regulation, Robbie Gould was called on to seal a stunning comeback for the Niners and a trip to the NFC Championship Game. Gould nailed a 45-yard field-goal attempt in front of a stunned Green Bay crowd. San Francisco will play at either Tampa Bay or the L.A. Rams for the right to go to Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals 19, Tennessee Titans 16
Surprise!
Cincinnati came away with a game-changing interception on the game's very first play.
Jesse Bates III stepped in front of a Ryan Tannehill pass to give the Bengals the ball in Tennessee territory.
The King is back
Henry didn't waste much time doing what he does best: scoring touchdowns.
He took the snap in a wildcat formation and powered in to cap a nine-play, 84-yard drive.
At the half, Cincy led 9-6 on the back of three field goals from Evan McPherson.
Mix 'em up!
The Bengals finally found the end zone in the third quarter, courtesy of a well-executed run from Joe Mixon.
Sky-high!
Tennessee bounced back comfortably with a commendable drive following Cincy's score, but the Bengals' defense came away with a huge takeaway to quell the Titans' momentum.
Mike Hilton went airborne to swat away a Tannehill screen attempt, plucking the ball out of the air following his deflection for the team's second INT.
Plucked!
We've got another INT, this time from the Titans' side of things. Amani Hooker scraped the pigskin off of the ground for Tennessee's first turnover.
One hand for safety
The Titans capitalized on the takeaway with a crucial score of their own. AJ Brown made a dazzling one-handed grab in double-coverage to tie things at 16.
Third times the charm!
Cincy picked off Tannehill for the third time, collecting its biggest turnover yet with 20 seconds remaining. Logan Wilson made the play of the day, and his team's season, to give the Bengals the ball in a massive spot.
Walk-off!
The squad got into decent field position for a game-winning field goal try. Evan McPherson, the team's rookie kicker, split the uprights on a 52-yarder with three seconds left to send his Bengals into the next round with a stunning 19-16 upset.