A review of 2013 San Francisco 49ers season

It ended, as it has for the last three seasons, in crushing disappointment.

However, for the third straight year the San Francisco 49ers provided their fans with plenty of excitement along the way.

San Francisco, coming off a heartbreaking 34-31 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, headed into the new campaign as one of the favourites to return to the big game.

From the start it was clear that the 49ers' potential success would depend on quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the exciting dual threat signal caller that took the league by storm in leading San Francisco to the Super Bowl after taking over from Alex Smith.

The early signs were good, the 49ers dismantled the Green Bay Packers in a 34-28 season-opening win in which Kaepernick threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns.

Some 208 of those yards went to Anquan Boldin, who also scored a TD in a showing that appeared to ally fears over the absence of injured receivers Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham.

First-round draft pick Eric Reid also grabbed an interception in his first game of what would prove to be an impressive rookie season for the free safety.

Things quickly took a turn for the worse, though, as the 49ers slumped to two straight heavy defeats. The first to the fierce division rival Seattle Seahawks and the second to the Indianapolis Colts, a setback that was precluded by the news that star pass rusher Aldon Smith was likely to face a suspension following a DUI arrest days before the game.

Kaepernick and the Niners failed to find any kind of offensive impetus during that two-game spell, raising questions about the ex-Nevada man's ability to inspire San Francisco to another successful season.

The offensive struggles continued, but the 49ers quickly returned to winning ways, riding the running game and their magnificent defence to five straight victories, which included a 42-10 blowout of the Jacksonville Jaguars across the pond at Wembley.

That streak abruptly came to an end after the bye week with a dismal 10-9 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, a defeat that marked Kaepernick's worst performance of his career as he totalled just 91 passing yards and threw an interception on the final drive that sealed the win for the Panthers.

Misfortune defined the Niners' next loss, as a ridiculous personal foul call against NaVorro Bowman negated a sack and forced fumble - recovered by Patrick Willis - and handed a 23-20 win to the New Orleans Saints.

Yet resiliency and spirit were key features of the 49ers' 2013 campaign, and Harbaugh's troops quickly recovered, Kaepernick displaying renewed poise in emphatic wins over the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams.

Key to the Niners' form in the latter half of the season was the return of both Aldon Smith and Crabtree, the former combining with namesake defensive lineman Justin Smith - and Ahmad Brooks - to boost a pass rush that had laboured for much of season.

Meanwhile, Crabtree - although far from his best - provided Kaepernick with a legitimate target to trust away from the dependable hands of Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis.

Both Smith and Crabtree contributed as the Niners got revenge on the Seahawks with a dramatic 19-17 home win that featured fine performances from running back Frank Gore and the defensive unit.

A dominant triumph at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers soon followed, but it was the next home game that perhaps marked the zenith of the 49ers' season.

Candlestick Park delivered an array of magnificent moments during its 42-year history as home of the 49ers, and on December 23, 2013, on Monday Night Football - in the final regular season game to be held at the famous venue - 'The Stick' said goodbye in perfect, awe-inspiring fashion.

The 49ers led 27-17 with three minutes and 30 seconds left in the 4th quarter against the Atlanta Falcons, however, when Tony Gonzalez caught a 2yd touchdown pass from Matt Ryan and Bowman failed to recover an onside kick, what would prove to be the final game at Candlestick appeared set to end in defeat.

But then came a glorious, stunning twist of fate as Bowman turned from villain to hero, intercepting a Ryan pass tipped in the air by Tramaine Brock and taking it back 89 yards the other way for one final Candlestick touchdown, sealing the game and sparking jubilant and emotional scenes among both players and fans alike.

From that point it seemed as if the 49ers were on their way to something special, ending the regular season with a closely fought overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals, before Kaepernick furthered his reputation with play-off victories against the Green Bay Packers - in near arctic conditions at Lambeau Field - and the Carolina Panthers.

Those successes set up a third consecutive NFC Championship game for Harbaugh and the Niners and yet another fierce battle with Seattle.

Still, the 49ers live and die with Kaepernick, who through three quarters produced another composed performance, the highlight of which was an extraordinary jump pass to Boldin to put San Francisco on top 17-10.

However, despite an excellent team effort - particularly from Bowman prior to his horrendous knee injury sustained in a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter - Kaepernick could not get the job done.

Kaepernick turned the ball over three times in the final period, including a devastating interception on the final drive that handed Seattle a 23-17 win and a trip to New York for the Super Bowl.

It is a loss that will haunt 49ers fans and players alike throughout the off-season but, although debate over Kaepernick's development and the Niners' deficiencies will rage over the coming months, there can be little doubt that San Francisco can be proud of another enthralling campaign.

Here's to a successful quest for six next season!