Raheem Mostert set numerous records in 49ers win vs. Packers

While the San Francisco 49ers are heading to Super Bowl LIV with their win over the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFC Championship game, running back Raheem Mostert was a clear-cut, record-setting star.

The San Francisco 49ers were completely one-dimensional in the 2020 NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers. And while that’s usually conceived to be a bad thing, for the Niners, it was excellent.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to rely almost entirely on the rushing offense en route to the 37-20 victory to earn a berth in Super Bowl LIV, letting running back Raheem Mostert command the game with one of the strongest postseason performances ever seen.

So, what exactly did Mostert do? Achieve greatness by rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns, setting numerous records along the way.

Mostert set a new franchise record for the most rushomg yards in a postseason game, breaking former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s record, set back in 2013. But Mostert also cemented himself among the NFL greats.

Mostert’s 220 rush yards now ranks second behind Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (248) for a postseason contest.

"“I’m still shocked. I can’t believe that,” Mostert told reporters after the game. “Eric Dickerson is the ultimate running back. He’s a guy I look up to, even all the other running backs, even with [former 49ers running back] Frank Gore, to even be mentioned with somebody like Erick Dickerson, that’s unbelievable.”"

The records don’t stop there, either.

Mostert was dominant in the first half, too, becoming the first player in NFL history to churn out over 150 rush yards and three-plus touchdowns in one half of a playoff game, according to NFL Research.

And when you tack on Mostert’s four touchdowns in the game total, he also achieved yet another first:

A truly historic performance—one that Mostert wasn’t entirely aware of as the game went on.

"“I looked up here and there,” Mostert added, when asked if he was aware of his yardage totals in the game. “But it was one of those things, my main focus was to finish the game and help my teammates out as best as I can.”"

Mostert’s story is arguably better than his record-setting night against Green Bay.

An undrafted free agent, Mostert bounced around six teams before being signed by the 49ers in 2016. When Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over in San Francisco in 2017, they wisely elected to keep Mostert amid a slew of roster shakeups.

Shanahan primarily offered him duties on special teams before having him contribute on offense in a limited capacity in 2018.

In 2019, Mostert ended up leading all 49ers ball carriers with 772 rush yards, eclipsing two of the team’s more-heralded running backs: Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida.

"“I did have a lot of doubters and naysayers,” Mostert added. “And now I get to actually tell them, ‘look at where I’m at now.’ I never gave up on my dream. I never gave up on the opportunities when it presented itself. And I always worked hard no matter what.”"

Whatever is fueling Mostert, it’s working.

The 49ers were the No. 2 rushing team in the league this season, and they’re now heading to the Super Bowl to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Once again: Mostert was Shanahan’s leading rusher. Only this time, he was almost entirely responsible for thrusting the Niners past the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

If that’s not an important accolade and role, it’s impossible to decipher what is.