QB Alex Smith lit up the Cardinal secondary for 6 TD passes to lift the 49ers to a 48-31 Divisional playoff victory over Arizona in San Francisco.
Smith torched the Cardinals for 313 yards as the 49ers overcame an early 21-10 deficit. 3 49er receivers (TE Vernon Davis, WR Darrell Jackson and TE Lance Tyler) had 2 TD receptions each as the 49ers put up nearly 500 yards of offense. Davis also finished with 144 yards receiving.
RB Frank Gore paced the run game with 175 yards on 38 carries, keeping the Cardinals honest and opening up the playaction pass.
The 49er defense struggled early, but recovered enough to hold the Cardinals long enough for the 49ers to build an insurmountable lead. CB Shawntae Spencer grabbed 2 interceptions, including one with less than 2 minutes left, to help clinch the win.
The 49ers 2nd straight Divisional win over Arizona puts them in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles smoked the Saints 41-9 in Philadelphia. In the AFC, the Colts continued their incredible run by defeating the Chargers 40-28, while the Patriots blew out the Jets 41-6.
