George Kittle
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, center, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith, right, and other defenders during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Prolific 49ers TE Kittle takes great joy in run blocking

By Josh Dubow Jan. 16, 2020 06:43 PM EST

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur celebrates a touchdown with Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
49ers, Packers look to go from losing seasons to Super Bowl

By Josh Dubow Jan. 16, 2020 03:36 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, right, watches as players practice with general manager John Lynch at the team's NFL football practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. The 49ers will host the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Championship on Sunday. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
49ers GM John Lynch wins PFWA Executive of the Year

Jan. 16, 2020 02:27 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, foreground, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, center, during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. Also pictured at rear is defensive end Dee Ford. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Rookie Nick Bosa makes big impact on improved 49ers defense

By Josh Dubow Jan. 15, 2020 06:43 PM EST

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers throws during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
49ers expect different Packers team in NFC title game

By Josh Dubow Jan. 13, 2020 07:11 PM EST

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers celebrates as he walks off the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 28-23 to advance to the NFC Championship. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
On Football: Some answers, lots of questions for title games

By Barry Wilner Jan. 13, 2020 03:37 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
49ers win 1st playoff game in 6 years, 27-10 over Vikings

By Josh Dubow Jan. 11, 2020 07:28 PM EST

NFL Football Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, talks with Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer before an NFL divisional playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Vikings, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers 1/11/2020

Jan. 11, 2020 04:05 PM EST

Vikings-49ers Preview Capsule

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2020 07:31 PM EST
MINNESOTA (11-6) at SAN FRANCISCO (13-3) Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, NBC OPENING LINE — 49ers by 8 ...

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2019, file photo, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander (56) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz. Alexander has returned to practice for the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, for the first time since tearing his pectoral muscle midway through the season. The Niners opened up the three-week practice window for Alexander to be activated from injured reserve in the playoffs. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
49ers defense getting healthy in time for playoff game

By Josh Dubow Jan. 08, 2020 06:32 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Jay Ajayi (28) tries to break free from Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia. Wagner was named to The Associated Press' All-Pro Team for the fifth time. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)
McCaffrey a double All-Pro pick; Gilmore, Thomas unanimous

By Barry Wilner Jan. 03, 2020 12:07 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo smiles after his team beat the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Shanahan's vision earns 49ers top seed in Year 3 of regime

By Josh Dubow Jan. 02, 2020 05:23 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after being defeated by the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Can playoffs be as unpredictable as end of regular season?

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2019 02:18 AM EST

Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown on a 1-yard rush against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
49ers take NFC West, No. 1 seed with 26-21 win over Seahawks

By Tim Booth Dec. 29, 2019 11:46 PM EST

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch warms up at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, in Renton, Wash. When Lynch played his last game for the Seahawks in 2016, the idea of him ever wearing a Seahawks uniform again seemed preposterous. Yet, here are the Seahawks getting ready to have Lynch potentially play a major role Sunday against San Francisco with the NFC West title on the line. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Best in West: Seahawks host 49ers for NFC West title

By Tim Booth Dec. 26, 2019 07:06 PM EST

On Football: Offbeat Awards for the 2019 season

By Barry Wilner Dec. 26, 2019 06:17 PM EST
The Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on the night before the Super Bowl in Miami. Until then, here are some off-the-beaten track honors...

Seahawks host 49ers with NFC West title on the line

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2019 02:03 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO (12-3) at SEATTLE (11-4) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC OPENING LINE — 49ers by 3 RECORD...

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Garoppolo must deal with Seattle crowd noise for 1st time

By Grant Cohn Dec. 24, 2019 07:06 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
49ers can clinch top seed in NFC with win at Seattle

By Josh Dubow Dec. 23, 2019 05:47 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
49ers win, grieve with Beathard: 'We got that one for C.J.'

By Josh Dubow Dec. 21, 2019 11:29 PM EST