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49ers-Saints final score: Huge Colin Kaepernick throw, Jimmy Graham non-Hail Mary, Phil Dawson knuckle kick....phew

The 49ers-Saints game ending in wild fashion. We've got GIFs from the numerous crazy plays.

By David Fucillo
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers won a wild one on Sunday, defeating the New Orleans Saints 27-24 in a game that had a ridiculous finish. There were plenty of big plays through the first 58 minutes, but starting with the final two minutes of regulation, and into overtime, the game went off the rails.

It all started after the Saints took a 24-21 lead with 1:52 to go in the fourth quarter. They drove 80 yards in a little over 5 minutes, capping it with Jimmy Graham's second touchdown pass. The 49ers took over at their own 22, and found themselves facing a 4th and 10 on their own 22 with 1:34 to go. After a day filled with wide receiver drops, Colin Kaepernick scrambled around and unleashed a 51-yard pass to Michael Crabtree. Kap scrambled to his right, bought some time, and eventually unleashed this throw.

The 49ers could not get much else going, and eventually settled for a Phil Dawson 45-yard field goal to tie the game.

Of course, there was also 44 seconds left on the clock, giving Drew Brees some time to potentially get his Saints into field goal range. They only had one timeout however, and some poor clock management eventually set them up with a 2nd and 10 at the 49ers 47 yard line. With 5 seconds left, they lined for and attempted a Hail Mary. This was where most of us briefly felt our heart stop.

First the Hail Mary GIF:

A flag was thrown on the play, but before the flag, Jim Harbaugh reacted just about how one might expect. I believe this was a replay of his reaction to the Hail Mary, but shown as they went to commercial before overtime.

Fortunately, there was indeed a flag on the play. Jimmy Graham gave Perrish Cox a push just before catching the ball. People quickly called it a flop. While Cox might have exaggerated a little bit, this was still offensive pass interference. And really it was even more so because they called OPI on Anquan Boldin on this play.

Whatever the case, to overtime we went where the 49ers and Saints exchanged a pair of possessions. The Saints took back over on their own 9-yard line, and picked up a first down at their own 20. However, Quinton Dial sacked Brees for a 5-yard loss. That was followed by Ahmad Brooks getting some poetic justice!

In case you missed it.

A video posted by 49ers Creative (@49ers_creative) on

A year ago, Brooks was flagged for a bogus personal foul when he seemed to force a Drew Brees fumble. This time around, there was no flag as Brooks sacked and stripped Brees. Chris Borland jumped on the ball, and the 49ers took over at the Saints 17-yard line. Jim Harbaugh wasted no time sending out Phil Dawson.

Naturally, given how the 4th quarter and overtime went, it was only fitting that we get one last gasp of crazy. I present, Phil Dawson's knuckle kick that almost missed both left AND right:

So, did you catch your breath yet? Jim Harbaugh made a comment after the game about how anything can happen, and everything happens every week. Well, the closing moments of this game certainly encompassed that. We went from the jaws of bitter defeat, to a stunning victory. I think the win probability chart sums it up best.

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