Over the next two weeks, 49ers.com will reveal the top 10 plays of the team's 2013 season. Each of the plays, which were voted on and ranked by 49ers Studios staff, will feature a highlight video. We begin our countdown at No. 10...
When
Midway through the third quarter of the Jan. 19 NFC title game.
Where
CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
What
Anquan Boldin's 26-yard touchdown reception.
Who
Boldin, positioned behind Seahawks safety Earl Thomas in the end zone, leaped higher than Thomas and caught Colin Kaepernick's deflected, on-the-run heave.
Why
The play gave the 49ers a 17-10 advantage with 20 minutes left in their conference championship game. They wouldn't hold on for the victory, but this was in spite of Boldin's big moment. Individually, the touchdown had to feel good, too. In his previous matchup with the physical Seattle secondary, in Week 2, Boldin was limited to just one seven-yard reception. Although they lost again at loud CenturyLink, the 49ers showed that, with Boldin in tow, the offense could do its thing there.
How
The play demonstrated the ability Boldin showed all season long, his first in San Francisco. That is the ability to some how, some way come down with the football in traffic. No. 81 led the team in receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,179) to go with seven touchdowns in the regular season. His highlight reel contains more than a couple one-handed grabs, crucial third-down haul-ins and, perhaps above all else, this cluctch catch in a crucial moment.
