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Of all the things that resulted from the 49ers' first round bye, none could be bigger then the week off to rest. Due to the importance of the regular season finale, San Francisco had to play to win, and could not rest their starters, but were able to get some much needed rest while the Wild Card Series were played. The 49ers as a team are as healthy as they can be, and more importantly, the news on Justin Smith is good.
One of the major concerns for the 49ers as they prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers Saturday is the kicking game. For a team that has such a sound defense, three points can go a long way, and more times then not playoff games are decided by a last second field goal. As David Akers has regressed this season, the team signed Billy Cundiff to evaluate the teams kicking options, yet with the game less then a week away there has still been no decision made. This in camp battle doesn't figure to have a winner declared until right before the game, but with no clear favorite, the best option for the team is to deactivate Akers and go with the new guy.
With the Packers up first, the San Francisco 49ers will have a very difficult opponent to get past in order to make a trip back to the NFC Championship Game. Although the key to success in the game will start and end with stopping the Green Bay Offense, the 49ers will still need to score the ball, and that falls on the shoulder of Colin Kaepernick. The reason for Jim Harbaugh switching to Kaepernick in the middle of the season was for the first year starter to take them to the Super Bowl, and it's time for Colin to make his coach look like a genius.
When it was announced that Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder would be unable to play in the wild card match-up between Green Bay and Minnesota, the Packers booked their flight to San Francisco. Green Bay dominated their undermanned opponent, setting up what stacks up to be one of the best game of the playoffs, and a battle that could very well determine the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.
The perception around 49er Nation is that the team needs to get Vernon Davis back into the offensive flow if they want to have a chance at the Super Bowl. The is not completely accurate though. In fact his decrease statistically is actually a good thing as it points to a more balanced attack for a team that was one dimensional a year ago.
Although they have plenty of internal things to shore up before the take the field on January 12th, the 49ers will have a close eye on the two NFC match-ups this weekend. No team presents an easy match up moving forward, but it would benefit the 49ers for the Redskins and Vikings to emerge victorious.
Other then being able to play at home, by securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC, San Francisco gave themselves an extra week to rest up before their first playoff game. The time off is just as important as home field advantage as the 49ers are nursing several injuries and will hope that the extra week will be enough to get back Justin Smith in time. Even if Smith is able to tough it out, the team needs to make sure that the best thing for both Smith and the team is for him to play.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Slava 'Sal' Veder, best known for his picture of a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel joyfully reuniting with his family after five years in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam, died Aug. 22. He was 99.
More than $7 million in funding for the Hope Way Apartments project in Penryn was approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors this week.
The driver of a Tesla sedan died after colliding with a tractor in Elk Grove early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Sutter County Firefighters said Station 8 closed because there was no staff available to work.
The driver of a big rig died in a crash along Interstate Highway 80 in Truckee on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
A developer is proposing to transform the long-vacant former Macy's building at Sacramento's Country Club Plaza into a self-storage facility. It's a plan that has some longtime neighbors questioning whether it's the right fit for the community.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Slava 'Sal' Veder, best known for his picture of a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel joyfully reuniting with his family after five years in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam, died Aug. 22. He was 99.
More than $7 million in funding for the Hope Way Apartments project in Penryn was approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors this week.
A proposed tiny home community for homeless seniors in Natomas on Arena Boulevard is "officially not moving forward," a city leader confirmed.
The driver of a Tesla sedan died after colliding with a tractor in Elk Grove early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Dolly Parton wanted to give kids the joy and opportunity of learning through books. She did just that for thousands of young minds in the Sacramento region.
A developer is proposing to transform the long-vacant former Macy's building at Sacramento's Country Club Plaza into a self-storage facility. It's a plan that has some longtime neighbors questioning whether it's the right fit for the community.
A proposed tiny home community for homeless seniors in Natomas on Arena Boulevard is "officially not moving forward," a city leader confirmed.
Sacramento police said investigators detained a suspect barricaded inside a residence with a possible firearm on Tuesday night.
The Sacramento Zoo on Tuesday reported the death of a beloved resident, a clouded leopard name Rajasi, at age 15.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Slava 'Sal' Veder, best known for his picture of a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel joyfully reuniting with his family after five years in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam, died Aug. 22. He was 99.
California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom are racing to reach a deal on changes to the state's wildfire liability system, with just days remaining before the legislative session ends.
California lawmakers are pushing a package of energy bills aimed at lowering electricity costs and making clean energy more accessible as residents continue to face some of the highest utility rates in the country.
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After becoming the first U.S. woman in more than two decades to win an individual Olympic gold medal in figure skating, Alysa Liu said she will take a break from competing.
The San Francisco 49ers held their final practice before their exhibition finale with nearly two dozen injured players missing but remain hopeful that most will be able to return to practice next week before the team departs for Australia for the season opener.
Carlos Cortes homered and Gage Jump struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings as the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2.
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges in Northeast Ohio after being arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution over the weekend, authorities said.
The rate is much higher than is seen in the general population. CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
The group of 24 states and the District of Columbia argues the Postal Service's new rule violates the Constitution and federal law.
California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom are racing to reach a deal on changes to the state's wildfire liability system, with just days remaining before the legislative session ends.
Canadian government officials said they are also providing aid for workers and businesses that could be hurt by U.S.-imposed tariffs.
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's effort to toss out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges and 20-year prison sentence.
California lawmakers are pushing a package of energy bills aimed at lowering electricity costs and making clean energy more accessible as residents continue to face some of the highest utility rates in the country.
Stanislaus County has reported its first human case of West Nile virus for 2026 as the number of cases in California surges compared to recent years.
Moderna and Merck announced study results that reflect a "landmark moment" in treatment for one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Multiple unpermitted street food vendors in Fairfield were cited for violations last week after inspections found them selling food unsafe for public consumption, authorities said.
The Social Security Administration is expanding its list of diseases and other health conditions that may qualify for accelerated approval of disability benefits.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
During the program's first year, it will be offered at about 65 to 75 hospitals that handle about a quarter of births in the state and largely serve low-income patients, Newsom's office said.
Fresh off their undefeated season and conference championship win, the women on the team are speaking out for the first time.
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A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
The California Highway Patrol captain accused of workers' compensation fraud was the commander in charge of the fatal Mahaney Park shootout in Roseville, three officers who worked under him at the time of the shootout said.
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No one wants to think about death. However, it's important to plan on what happens to your digital assets after you die.
After spending $18,000 on waterproof laminate floors, a Natomas couple spotted damage after the first cleaning.
More than a year after Hai Pham canceled the trial membership, he kept getting charged every month for it.
A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
An evacuation order for the Ross Fire in Calaveras County was downgraded as crews stopped the forward progress.
The evacuation order and warning were lifted for the Clover Fire in the Alta Sierra area in Nevada County on Friday afternoon.
Evacuation orders have been lifted for a wildfire that ignited east of Mountain Ranch in Calaveras County on Thursday, officials said.
An evacuation warning for a wildfire burning in the Tahoe National Forest was lifted as containment increased to 55%.
A fire in the area of Yuba Ridge Drive near Nevada City forced an evacuation order and warnings.
Their message is simple: keep showing up, keep moving and keep your heart open, because sometimes, the person who changes your life is living right across the street.
A Sacramento County dog picked up thousands of miles from home after he went missing five years ago was reunited with his family on Wednesday.
What started as a suspicious circumstances call for Rancho Cordova police ended with a newborn surprise.
A once-empty lot behind Church of the Cross in north Modesto now hosts a thriving community garden with more than 140 plots and growers from across the globe.
A Sacramento-area middle school history and English teacher is in the running to win big as America's Favorite Teacher, a title her students think she is more than worthy of being awarded.
Here's a look at the deals of the week.
The driver of a Tesla sedan died after colliding with a tractor in Elk Grove early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Longtime Sacramento DJ Tony Cox joined the show to discuss his personal memory following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton.
Meteorologist Ashley Nanfria says while Wednesday will be the hottest day of the week, big changes are ahead.
Carmela Karcher reports.