Hail Mary: 49ers claim playoff spot in Candlestick farewell

It was the last regular season game to be played at the historic Candlestick Park, and for the San Francisco 49ers they bid a sweet farewell with an exciting 34-24 win that puts them in the playoffs.

Atlanta had very little to play for in this game after a very poor season, but they were out to spoil the farewell celebrations and really took the game to the 49ers throughout and almost stole the win at the end.

Matt Ryan played as good a game as he had all year and when he hit Tony Gonzalez from two yards out with just over two minutes left, they closed to within three points. The Falcons went for an onside kick, which bobbled up and past the “safe hands team” of San Francisco, allowing Jason Snelling to pick the loose ball up on the sideline.

Ryan’s pass over the middle inside the Niners ten yard line, was broken up and fell kindly into NaVorro Bowman who returned it 89 yards to seal the W, and give the home crowd exactly what they had come to see.

After an uncertain start Colin Kaepernick found some passing and running lanes, ending up throwing for one score and sprinting for another.

The 49ers can look ahead to postseason play and still have an outside chance of getting the number one seed and home field advantage in the NFC.