Faithful Flashbacks #32: Kaepernick’s Playoff Record

Faithful Flashbacks revisits Colin Kaepernick’s playoff rushing record and the night he ran Green Bay out of Candlestick.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Jul 28, 2026, 8:00 AM Updated: 12:19 pm

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In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called “Faithful Flashbacks.”

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will count down to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

Coming in at No. 32 on our ‘Faithful Flashbacks’ countdown of the 80 best moments in franchise history is Colin Kaepernick’s playoff rushing record against the Green Bay Packers.

The 2012 season featured a notable quarterback change as they pivoted away from Alex Smith. Smith entered the year as the starter after helping San Francisco reach the NFC Championship Game the season before, but Kaepernick eventually took over and brought a different element to the offense.

His running ability changed the dynamic of San Francisco for defenses, especially in the offense, and allowed them to lean more heavily on option looks, misdirection, and a strong rushing attack around him. By the time the playoffs arrived, the 49ers were in full swing, but their new offense was yet to be postseason-proven, especially for Kaepernick. He proved that he belongs against the Packers in Candlestick Park.

Kaepernick’s night did not start cleanly. He threw an early interception that was returned for a touchdown, giving the Packers an immediate swing and putting pressure on a young quarterback making his first postseason start. Luckily for the 49ers, he recovered well from that moment and bounced back.

His success largely stemmed from Green Bay never finding a real answer to his legs. The 49ers kept stressing the edges of the defense, and Kaepernick repeatedly turned option plays into open space. In the third quarter, he kept the ball and broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run that pushed him past Michael Vick’s playoff quarterback rushing record.

Vick’s previous mark was 119 rushing yards, set with Atlanta in 2005. Kaepernick had already cleared it by the time that 56-yard run gave him 163 yards on 12 carries, setting a new 49ers postseason rushing record in the process.

He finished with 181 rushing yards, 263 passing yards, and four total touchdowns in San Francisco’s 45-31 win. The 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship Game and later reached the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1994 season.

Kaepernick’s time as the 49ers’ starter was shorter compared to the franchise’s other quarterback eras, but there were memorable stretches and none more so than his postseason performance as he ran through the Packers’ defense. For that one playoff night, Green Bay had no answer, and Kaepernick put his name in the record book.

More Faithful Flashbacks from Sactown Sports

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Late July 2026 – NFL Training Camps open
Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT

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