SAN FRANCISCO — Alex Smith has arrived.
After years of being maligned as mediocre and a disappointment as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the 49ers quarterback stepped up to the lead San Francisco in a dramatic 36-32 win against the Saints at Candlestick Park yesterday.
Smith’s 28-yard touchdown run momentarily gave the 49ers the lead in the fourth quarter. After the Saints’ scored on a Drew Brees TD pass, Smith engineered an 85-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 14-yard strike to tight end Vernon Davis with seconds remaining to send the 49ers to the NFC Championship and give Smith his career-making moment.
It was the 49ers’ first playoff win since a 39-38 victory against the Giants in 2003.
Smith, who has greatly prospered under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh’s tutelage, was asked what this win meant to him after years of being doubted, and he acted as if it was just another day at the office.
“We are still playing, that’s what it means,” Smith said. “We have another week of work.”
Depending on the outcome of today’s Giants-Packers game, Smith might be going to work on Jan. 22 against the Giants in the NFC Championship. Smith had a good game against the Giants in the regular season at Candlestick Park in November, completing 19 of 30 for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 27-20 San Francisco victory.
If the Giants do face the 49ers, this might be a new and improved Alex Smith, one brimming with confidence, with karma on his side and his teammates fully believing in his ability and leadership, just two games away from a championship.
“We always knew Alex would do it. He does it week in and week out,” defensive lineman Justin Smith said.
Smith handled the Saints’ heavy pressure and frequent blitzes and made New Orleans pay more often than not, completing 24 of 42 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
“You have to make them pay when you get your chance and luckily we did,” Smith said.