Revenge, redemption, haymakers, heroes and villains.



The 49ers’ divisional-playoff win against the Saints on Jan. 14, 2012 was like a full season packed into a three-hour contest. The game was so physical, so taxing, so fraught with emotion that one player — Vernon Davis, who caught the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left — still was sobbing in the locker room afterward, while across the hall the Saints were slowly, somberly packing their bags with tears in their eyes as well.



The recollections from those who were at the game come from interviews conducted with The Athletic over the last month and a half. The conversation with Jim Harbaugh was done through text message.



The most iconic play in defensive tackle Justin Smith’s 14 NFL seasons — shoving tackle Jermon Bushrod backward as if he were on roller skates and then taking down both Bushrod and quarterback Drew Brees with his powerful right hand — happened in...