The San Francisco 49ers had dropped two straight coming into Sunday's game in New Orleans. Playoff hopes were low coming into the game. Frank Gore recently stated last week that they would make the playoffs but the general fanbase seemed to have their hopes low. The 49ers solved a few worries on Sunday. Phil Dawson kicked a field goal in overtime to win it 27-24.
"It was paramount for us to come out with a win," San Francisco left tackle Joe Staley said. "You don't like to say must-win, but it was a must-win game. We looked at that game as a playoff game, and we had that mindset coming in."
Kaepernick also had a 51 yard throw to help the 49ers tie the game. Drew Brees threw a hail mary to try to win the game in the final seconds and Jimmy Graham caught the pass but he seemed to push Cox a little bit, and with a good sell of the push Cox went down and drew a flag. That play would become crucial to the 49ers win.
"Definitely not a push off. I'm running down the field and I'm telling myself not to push off. Whatever you do, don't push off. Just go up and get it," Graham said. "It's interesting, you know, how guys grab me everywhere on the field and I put literally two fingers on somebody and you make that kind of call. That's why I switched. That's why I left basketball, so I could stop being penalized for hitting people."
The 49ers survived another week. The Seahawks also won and the Cardinals won but the Cardinals lost Carson Palmer for likely the rest of the season. If there was any chance the 49ers could get into the playoffs, the injury to the Cardinals Qb sure helps that dream. The 49ers still play the Cardinals once and the Seahawks twice to end the year.