49ers stymie Packers in red zone three times

The 49ers’ defense was coming up big in the first half against the Packers

A key to playoff games — heck, any game — is coming away with touchdowns in the red zone.

In the first half of Saturday’s Divisional Round game between San Francisco and Green Bay, the 49ers were thwarting the Packers.

Green Bay came away with six points on three red-zone trips and trailed San Francisco, 7-6, in the second quarter.

Perhaps the biggest play of the opening half was San Francisco stuffing Jordan Love on a fourth-and-1 from the San Francisco 14 early in the second quarter.

Love came up inches short.

The Niners took over the football and went 86 yards over 12 plays. Brock Purdy threw a 32-yard TD pass to George Kittle for the score.

Green Bay was 4-for-4 in the red zone in its romp over Dallas. Different week, different opponent, different results.