What if 49ers didn't lose to Giants in 2012 NFC championship?

San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Williams fumbles a punt as New York Giants' Devin Thomas recovers during overtime of the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in San Francisco. Editor’s Note: We’re introducing a new series at SFGATE, tentatively titled “What if ...

Two soul-crushing fumbles — and one fumble that wasn’t — on a soggy January day at Candlestick Park may have generated years of ripple effects for the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. What then? The career trajectories and legacies of Jim Harbaugh, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Eli Manning, Trent Baalke and others would certainly look dramatically different. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Then Smith provided one of the all-time great Candlestick performances in his NFL playoff debut, a 36-32 49ers’ comeback win over the New Orleans Saints. His touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds left was Smith’s fourth of the game and capped his sixth fourth-quarter comeback victory that season.

The 49ers had committed zero special teams turnovers all season. But in the fourth quarter and overtime against the Giants, they committed two — both by Williams. The first fumble, a muffed punt that hit Williams’ knee as he backed away, led to a Giants touchdown. His second, when he got stripped on a punt return in 49ers territory in overtime, led to the winning field goal.

Alex Smith was my favorite QB. He would’ve won that Super Bowl.

You are killing this grammar teacher—it’s “HADN’T LOST”

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Rams vs. 49ers: Preview, predictions, what to watch forAn inside look at Sunday’s Rams-49ers NFC Championship game in Los Angeles:
Source: nypost - 🏆 91. / 67 Read more »

10 steps the 49ers took to save their season en route to NFC Championship GameHere are the 10 steps that turned the 49ers’ season into a Super Bowl contender ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at the Los Angeles Rams.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

As 49er Fans Descend Upon The Southland, Rams Fans Prep For NFC ChampionshipDespite their best efforts, the Rams should expect a large influx of San Francisco 49er fans in the seats at SoFi Stadium for the NFC Championship on Sunday.
Source: CBSLA - 🏆 552. / 51 Read more »

As 49er Fans Descend Upon The Southland, Rams Fans Prep For NFC ChampionshipDespite their best efforts, the Rams should expect a large influx of San Francisco 49er fans in the seats at SoFi Stadium for the NFC Championship on Sunday.
Source: CBSLA - 🏆 552. / 51 Read more »

Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo have chance to define their career narrativesThe curious cases of two high-profile quarterbacks will be on full display during the NFC Championship game between the 49ers and Rams.
Source: nypost - 🏆 91. / 67 Read more »

San Francisco sports red and goldSan Francisco's Coit Tower and Ferry Building were sporting red and gold ahead of the NFC Championship game between the 49ers and the LA Rams on Sunday. Nice of the city to support the team from Santa Clara I hence a downward trend in posts (negativity). Can you people explain how you and your families may be involved with ruining innocent families by using the power of the media as leverage across the network, if possible?
Source: KTVU - 🏆 465. / 53 Read more »