Late Gore touchdown sets up victory for San Francisco in opener

Colin Kaepernick threw for a 412 yards and three touchdowns to lead San Francisco to a 34-28 season-opening triumph over Green Bay on Sunday in an NFL playoff rematch.

Frank Gore's one-yard touchdown gave the 49ers the lead late in the fourth quarter as San Francisco - who fell to Baltimore in the Super Bowl in February - launched their bid to return to the NFL's championship spectacular on the first Sunday of the season.

Kaepernick completed 27-of-39 passes and became the first 49ers signal-caller to throw for more than 400 yards since Tim Rattay in 2004.

Anquan Boldin, acquired from Baltimore for a sixth-round pick in the offseason, emerged immediately as Kaepernick's favorite target, catching 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.

"We knew they were going to come in ready to play after what happened in the playoffs," Boldin said. "We had to come out and match their intensity."

Aaron Rodgers finished 21-of-37, passing for 333 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for the Packers, who won the NFC North division last year but were ousted from the playoffs by San Francisco.

Saints - Falcons

The New Orleans Saints welcomed coach Sean Payton back after a season-long ban over the pay-for-injury "bounty" scandal with a 23-17 victory over NFC South division rival Atlanta.

Drew Brees threw for 357 yards and two touchdowns, and the Saints' defense - which surrendered a record 7,042 yards last season - held the Falcons scoreless over their last four drives.

"It was just important to get the first win," Payton said. "It's good to start the season that way. I thought we fought hard, especially late in the game."

Seahawks - Panthers

Seattle, aiming to contend in the NFC after falling to Atlanta in the second round of the playoffs last season, opened their season with a 12-7 victory over Carolina.

Jermaine Kearse's touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter made the difference for the Seahawks, who saw second-year quarterback Russell Wilson complete 25-of-33 passes for 320 yards that included the 43-yard strike to Kearse.

Patriots - Bills

Stephen Gostkowski booted a game-winning 35-yard field goal with five seconds left to lift perennial powerhouse New England to a 23-21 victory at AFC East division rival Buffalo.

New England wide receiver Danny Amendola, in doubt for the game after aggravating a groin injury last week, played a key role, catching two passes from superstar quarterback Tom Brady in the drive that set up Gostkowski's field goal.

"I was proud of our team today," notoriously taciturn Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "They made the plays they needed to make at the end to win."

Colts - Raiders

Indianapolis signal-caller Andrew Luck, who like Wilson excelled in his rookie season in 2012, threw two touchdown passes and ran for the go-ahead TD as the Colts rallied to beat the Oakland Raiders 21-17.

Titans - Steelers

The Tennessee Titans shocked Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh 16-9, the defeat proving even more costly for the Steelers after injuries to Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker Larry Foote.

Pouncey exited in the first quarter and will need surgery to repair two torn right knee ligaments, and Foote will need surgery on a ruptured biceps.

Chiefs - Jaguars

Kansas City, trying to turn things around after a dismal 2-14 campaign in 2012, opened with a convincing 28-2 win at Jacksonville.

Former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Jamaal Charles ran for a score to give former Eagles coach Andy Reid a victory in his first game at the helm of the Chiefs.

Cowboys - Giants

In Dallas, the Cowboys forced six turnovers - including an interception that Brandon Carr returned 49 yards for a game-clinching touchdown late in the fourth quarter - in a 36-31 victory over NFC East foes the New York Giants.

Jets - Bucaneers

New York Jets and rookie quarterback Geno Smith emerged with a thrilling 18-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

After a 10-yard scramble with seven seconds left, Smith was shoved while out of bounds by Tampa Bay's Lavonte David.

The 15-yard penalty set the Jets up for Nick Folk to kick a game-winning 48-yard field goal with two seconds left.

Other games

In other games, Miami defeated Cleveland 23-10, Chicago edged Cincinnati 24-21, Detroit beat NFC North rival Minnesota 34-24 and St. Louis beat Arizona 27-24 in a clash of NFC West division rivals.

(China Daily 09/10/2013 page23)