NFL playoffs: Record-breaking Kaepernick drives 49ers to win over Green Bay

The San Francisco quarterback got the better of reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers as the 49ers booked their place in the conference finals with a 45-31 win over the Packers.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Dezman Moses.

Second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick got the better of reigning most valuable player Aaron Rodgers to inspire the http://www.thenational.ae/topic/organisations/sports-teams/nfl-teams to a 45-31 playoff win over the visiting Green Bay Packers.

The 49ers, behind a record day of running by Kaepernick, broke the game open in the second half for an emphatic win that put them into the January 20th National Football Conference title game against the winner of tonight's showdown between the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

Kaepernick, who replaced injured starting quarterback Alex Smith midway through the regular season, set a National Football League rushing record for a quarterback by gaining 181 yards, including scoring gallops of 56 and 20 yards.

He also threw a pair of touchdown passes to Michael Crabtree in the romp.

"It feels good. We're one step closer to where we want to be," said Kaepernick afterwards.

"I feel like I had a lot to prove. A lot of people doubted my ability to lead this team.

"Our offensive line did an amazing job today. They shut everybody down inside. Our receivers, our tight ends, blocked great outside, and our running backs were running hard, so it made it easier on me."

Kaepernick started on a shaky note in his playoff starting debut, tossing an interception on his second pass of the game that was returned 52 yards for a touchdown by Sam Shields for a 7-0 Green Bay lead.

But he recovered quickly, leading the 49ers on an 80-yard drive that he capped off with a 20-yard touchdown run to make it 7-7.

The teams traded touchdowns during an action-packed first half, with the 49ers moving ahead 21-14 after turning a pair of Green Bay turnovers into touchdowns and took a 24-21 lead into intermission after a 36-yard field goal as time ran out.

It was all San Francisco after the break as they ran roughshod over the Packers in the second half, rushing for three touchdowns as they put the game out of reach.

After Green Bay tied it at 24-24 with a 31-yard field goal, Kaepernick took charge.

The strong-armed quarterback faked a hand-off and took off to his right, using his long strides to race untouched into the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown that gave the 49ers a lead they never relinquished.

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