NFL Playoffs - 'Niners Roll, Ravens Shock Broncos

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs proved true to form as there were surprises abound in the two games played.
Unlike the defensive games last week in the Wild Card round, this weekend's first two games saw offensive explosions as the Baltimore Ravens beat the host Denver Broncos, 38-35 in overtime while the host San Francisco 49ers ran all over the Green Bay Packers in a 45-31 victory.

BALTIMORE 38, DENVER 35 (OT) - The Ravens rode the hot arm of quarterback Joe Flacco, who had 331 pass yards and three touchdown passes, including a 70-yard TD strike to Jacoby Jones to tie the game at 35-35 with just 31 seconds left in regulation.

Jacoby Jones celebrates huge TD catch.

The Ravens and Flacco proved to be up to the task going against the legendary Broncos' QB Peyton Manning, who had 290 passing yards along with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
The second interception was costly in the second quarter of the overtime as Manning threw on the run and Ravens' DB Corey Graham stepped in for the pick. Graham also had an interception, which he returned for a touchdown, in the first quarter with the game tied at 7-7.
The Ravens drove down the field and kicker Justin Tucker nailed a 47-yard field goal to win the game.
The Broncos and Ravens went back and forth with Denver kick returner Trindon Holliday taking both a punt and kickoff back for touchdowns, a first in NFL playoff history. Ravens running back Ray Rice had 131 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win.
The Broncos became yet another number-one seed to lose in the Divisional Round of the playoffs as has been the trend over the past few years.

SAN FRANCISCO 45, GREEN BAY 31 - 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick was a one-man wrecking crew Saturday night in San Francisco as he ran for an NFL playoff record (for quarterbacks) with 181 yards rushing and two touchdowns and also threw for two scores to wide receiver Michael Crabtree to lead the way.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick races 56 yards for a TD.

Green Bay jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Sam Shields intercepted Kaepernick and raced 52 yards for a touchdown.
Kaepernick ran 20 yards for the first of his two rushing TD to tie the game. But then the Packers and 'Niners went back and forth the rest of the first half, which San Francisco led 24-21 at the break.
Kaepernick later raced 56 yards for a touchdown to put the 'Niners ahead for good at 31-24. San Francisco added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to open a 21-point lead.
For the game, the 'Niners outgained Green Bay 579 to 352 in total offensive yardage as Kaepernick accounted for 444 of those yards. In addition, running back Frank Gore gained 119 yards on the ground as well as his team ran for 323 yards against the Packers' defense.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers had 257 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception in the loss.