49ers beat Falcons 34-24 to clinch playoff berth
Kaepernick leads big second half as San Francisco wins regular-season finale at Candlestick
12/24/2013
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young throws a ball on the field at Candlestick Park before the 49ers' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers are playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter.
SAN FRANCISCO — NaVorro Bowman returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining, and the San Francisco 49ers clinched a playoff berth with a wild 34-24 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night in the final regular-season game at Candlestick Park.
Tramaine Brock broke up a pass intended for Harry Douglas and Bowman got his hands on the ball and took off, then received a celebratory dog pile from teammates in the end zone.
Matt Ryan threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White with 8:42 remaining and a 2-yard score to Tony Gonzalez with 2:09 left as the Falcons (4-11) made things interesting until the end.
Atlanta’s Jason Snelling recovered the ensuing onside kick as the Falcons got the ball back and were driving for a potential go-ahead score when San Francisco (11-4) capitalized with one of its biggest takeaways yet.