George Willis

George Willis

NFL

49ers rise with improving Colin Kaepernick

SEATTLE — Here’s a frightening thought: The game is slowing down for Colin Kaepernick, the fastest quarterback in the NFL. That’s what veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin sees heading into Sunday’s much-anticipated NFC Championship game against the Seahawks at noisy CenturyLink Field.

“He’s comfortable,” Boldin said of the Niners’ dynamic quarterback who is trying to lead his team to back-to-back Super Bowls. “It’s not a new situation for him. Last year was his first time in the playoffs. This year, he has an understanding of what it’s like, because anytime a guy is in the playoffs for the first time, it can be tough. Everything is ramped up even more. So the speed is a lot different. Guys play a lot harder because everybody is trying to win a championship. But you see he’s a lot more comfortable now. He’s a lot more relaxed and seems like the game has slowed down a lot to him.”

That could spell trouble for the Seahawks, who are hoping Kaepernick plays more like the quarterback they saw in Week 2 than the one that has guided San Francisco to eight straight wins. The NFC West rivals meet Sunday for the third time this season after splitting their two regular-season meetings.

The Seahawks whipped the Niners 29-3 in Week 2 in Seattle, while the 49ers won the rematch in December at Candlestick, 19-17.

It was the tale of two Kaepernicks. He had the worst game of his career in Seattle, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. He had only one interception in the rematch at Candlestick, when receiver Michael Crabtree played in just his second game since returning from a torn Achilles tendon. A Kaepernick interception at Green Bay is the Niners only turnover in their past five games.

That’s why Niners coach Jim Harbaugh rates his quarterback’s season as “A-plus-plus” and expects him to perform well on Sunday.

“Even going back to college when I first started watching him play,” Harbaugh said, “the big games, the big challenge, the big takes, he has that special ability that the great ones have to elevate their game in those situations.”

Kaepernick led the Niners to the Super Bowl in his first season as a starter. The only way to top that is to win the Lombardi Trophy this year. His chances are enhanced with the return of Crabtree, who missed the first 11 games of the season.

The Niners now have a dangerous receiving corps of Crabtree, Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis.

“It spreads the defense out and they can’t just key in on one player,” said Kaepernick, who has thrown for a combined 423 yards, two touchdowns and the one interception in beating the Packers and Panthers.

Those two wins make Kaepernick 4-1 in the postseason, including 3-1 on the road — which must say something for how he handles himself in a tough environment. But no place is quite as hostile at CenturyLink, where the 12th man deserves a paycheck.

“It’s a little bit louder in Seattle,” Kaepernick admitted before adding, “We only have 11 on the field just like them.”

What’s scary is Kaepernick isn’t a finished product. His decision-making, his mechanics and his clock management will improve with experience. He already is scary good.

“He’s confident in his ability,” Boldin said. “He doesn’t waiver. Even when you guys say bad things about him, he’s still confident about getting his job done. If it’s a bad play, if it’s a big play, he doesn’t change. He’s always next play. Let’s make it happen.”

Amid the carnage in Seattle last September, Kaepernick had 87 yards rushing. The Seahawks preference for man-to-man coverage allows for more pass rushers, but there are fewer defenders to chase down Kaepernick’s long strides if he gets past the line of scrimmage. Don’t be surprised if he has another huge day running the ball … all the way to the MetLife Stadium.