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The day that belonged to Colin Kaepernick

  • By Jim Reineking NFL.com
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Colin Kaepernick made his playoff debut for the San Francisco 49ers to spectacular results. Take a look back at the day he had against the Green Bay Packers during Divisional Playoff Weekend.

Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith

In Week 11, San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh made a controversial decision to elevate second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick to starter. The move has paid off handsomely for the 49ers.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick's career playoff debut got off to a rocky start,as he threw for a pick six on the San Francisco 49ers' first possession. Kaepernick bounced back, however, rushing for the first of two touchdowns to even up the score at 7-7.

Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick made a profound mark while operating outside of the pocket, but also displayed a strong, accurate arm in picking apart the Green Bay Packers defense. Kaepernick made impressive touchdown throws to Michael Crabtree, first on a 12-yard score to knot up the score at 14-14 and then on a 20-yard strike to give the 49ers a 21-14 lead.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Colin Kaepernick

Once Colin Kaepernick evaded the Green Bay Packers' defensive front, he was off to the races for two, long touchdown scrambles. Kaepernick's second score -- a 56-yard jaunt -- put the 49ers up for good.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Colin Kaepernick, Otto Graham, Jay Cutler

Colin Kaepernick threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more. With that effort, Kaepernick joined Cleveland Browns legend Otto Graham and Chicago Bears passer Jay Cutler as the only players in NFL history to do that in a playoff game (Graham, it should be noted, did it twice).

NFL/Associated Press

Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick had the most combined passing and rushing yards by any player in NFL history in their first career playoff game. Kaepernick finished with 444 total yards, topping Kelly Holcomb's total of 432 for the Cleveland Browns in the 2002 wild-card round.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick's 181 rushing yards helped the San Francisco 49ers set a franchise record for rushing yardage in a playoff game with 323.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Michael Crabtree, Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick's first career playoff start also resulted in the third-most points scored by the San Francisco 49ers in a playoff game. The most, of course, came in Super Bowl XXIV, when the 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos, 55-10.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Roger Craig

Colin Kaepernick finished the San Francisco 49ers' divisional playoff win over the Green Bay Packers with a franchise record for most rushing yards in a playoff game. Kaepernick's 181 yards rushing topped Roger Craig's 135 yards rushing in a 1988 divisional playoff game.

Al Golub/Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick

While the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 45-31, Colin Kaepernick finished with 263 yards passing and 181 yards rushing. Those 181 rushing yards represents a record (playoffs or regular season) for a quarterback.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

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