Takeaways from 49ers-Packers playoff game: Brock Purdy rises to the occasion, Jordan Love crumbles late

The San Francisco 49ers are headed back to the NFC Championship after escaping with a 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers. After receiving a scare from the No. 7 seed, quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers' defense showed up when it mattered most. 

Here are three takeaways from the 49ers' thrilling victory. 

1. "Mr. Irrelevant" has his moment 

Often doubted, Purdy proved doubters wrong and had his moment against the Packers. After being called the "worst" quarterback remaining in the playoffs, Purdy put together his first of perhaps many signature playoff moments. 

The 49ers trailed 21-17 with 6:18 left before Purdy orchestrated a game-winning 12-play, 69-yard scoring drive. While Christian McCaffrey capped it off with a six-yard touchdown, Purdy was integral to the series' success, going 7-for-8 while adding a crucial nine-yard scramble down to the Green Bay six-yard line to set up the go-ahead tally. 

Finishing 23-of-39 for 252 yards and a touchdown, Purdy was far from perfect, especially after wideout Deebo Samuel left the game with a shoulder injury. Like truly great quarterbacks do, though, he made clutch plays with his team's back against the wall and won on a night when he wasn't at his best. 

2. Pressure too much for Jordan Love 

Many praised the first-year starter for his poise and veteran-like presence throughout the season, but unlike Purdy, the bright lights proved too much for Love on Saturday. 

After McCaffrey had given the 49ers the lead, the Packers were still alive, needing a field goal to tie or a touchdown to go ahead with roughly a minute left on the fourth-quarter clock, armed with three time-outs in their back pocket. Yet, only four plays into the drive, Love threw those chances away, tossing an ill-advised pass across his body that was intercepted by Dre Greenlaw, sealing San Francisco's victory. 

Love's game-sealing pick wasn't his first mistake of the game. Or the half, for that matter. Late in the third quarter, the Packers were in good shape, leading 21-14 following a three-and-out forced by the defense. Love halted the momentum, throwing an errant pass high and behind tight end Tucker Kraft, which Greenlaw also picked off. 

It's not all doom and gloom, as Love made plays, throwing two second-half touchdowns. Nevertheless, the two costly interceptions will haunt him and the Packers all offseason. 

3. 49ers defense stiffened at the right time but showed holes 

After playing bend-don't-break defense in the first half, the unit allowed 15 third-quarter points before stiffeneing down the stretch. Following the Packers' go-ahead score with 5:23 left in the third, making it 21-14, the Niners didn't allow another point, holding Green Bay scoreless on four straight possessions while forcing two turnovers. 

The defense also made game-winning plays in the opening half, holding the Packers to only six points on three red zone attempts. 

Along with allowing two scores in the third quarter, though, there were other things to be concerned about from Saturday's performance. Love did throw two reckless interceptions but had a decent overall game, passing for 194 yards (21-of-34) and two touchdowns while connecting with an astounding nine different receivers. Meanwhile, running back Aaron Jones also did what he liked, breaking a 49ers' streak of 51 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher after recording 108 yards off 18 carries.