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Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense had gone 24 quarters without a turnover.
Then Kaepernick fumbled and threw two interceptions on the 49ers last three drives, with the last coming with under a minute, down seven in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle captured the NFC Championship and clinched a game against Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII with a 23-17 win over the 49ers.
Those three turnovers marred an otherwise outstanding game on both sides, and one that appeared destined for a dramatic finish.
Kaepernick's final pass bounced off the hands of cornerback Richard Sherman and into the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith's, ending a last-ditch drive that could have tied the game.
Sherman launched into a tirade after the game during an interview with Erin Andrews, accusing Crabtree of having said something to him at some point. Sherman also received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting Crabtree after the play.
It was an exciting game otherwise.
The Seahawks offense sputtered through most of it outside of a few big and well-timed runs by Marshawn Lynch. Oddly, in a league of passing offenses, neither Russell Wilson nor Kaepernick looked particularly impressive throwing the ball. Kaepernick rushed for 130 yards on 11 carries, but was 14-for-24 passing for 153 yards and the two touchdowns. Wilson was, statistically, the superior quarterback, but fumbled twice and may end up being charged with a third fumble after a blown handoff to Lynch on a fourth down play late in the game.
The Seahawks were early 1-point favorites over the Broncos on Bovada, but that line was taken down.
The match-up is a good one, and it should make for a good Super Bowl.
