Jerry Rice, anyone?

Still in his signature khakis, Jim Harbaugh was ebullient following San Francisco's thrilling win over Green Bay on Sunday night. He kissed reporters on the head. He handed out I love yous.

And Harbaugh issued this proclamation about 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree: "The greatest catcher of all time, Michael Crabtree, catches everything."

Forgive Harbaugh. He was excited. He was probably still cold. He was caught up in the moment. Rice had to be an oversight.

But Harbaugh also had to know that with Crabtree back healthy after missing more than half the season while recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon, the 49ers are the team to beat in the NFC. No one is playing better. No one is as formidable.

The Niners have won seven straight, and it is no accident that six of those wins came with Crabtree back on the field.

After a spectacularly entertaining wild-card weekend that featured three games decided by a field goal or less, it is easy to jump to conclusions. Andy Dalton stinks. Andy Reid still can't manage the clock. Andrew Luck needs a razor.

The presence of Michael Crabtree gives the 49ers a vertical threat and opens up opportunities for the team's other pass-catchers. AP Photo/Mike Roemer

But there is one undeniable truth that revealed itself over the weekend: A healthy Crabtree is the answer the 49ers needed to make a return trip to the Super Bowl. Their path will be arduous, sure. The three remaining teams in San Francisco's path to Super Bowl XLVIII all beat the Niners in the regular season. But I believe San Francisco can beat Carolina this weekend and can beat either New Orleans or Seattle in the NFC Championship Game.

I believe Harbaugh and the Niners will be playing four Sundays from now.

Crabtree is that much of a difference-maker. He is that special.

Harbaugh obviously believes it too.

Crabtree makes the entire offense better. He makes it more multiple. Now, San Francisco can attack the entire width and depth of the field. The 49ers can attack all three levels vertically.

Given his speed, Crabtree can attack the short, intermediate and deep parts of the field on the outside. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin can attack the short and intermediate parts in the seams. Tight end Vernon Davis can attack the short, intermediate and deep parts of the middle of the field.

Now, the Niners can attack outside the numbers, something they couldn't do during the time Crabtree missed earlier in the season. They can attack inside the numbers and the hash. They can attack between the hashes. Before they couldn't. Now they can.

San Francisco has everything a team needs on offense to be successful. Colin Kaepernick has persevered through a bumpy second season at quarterback and showed Sunday why his teammates love him. He is tough. He is clutch. He is a phenomenal athlete and a smart player.

The Niners have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They have a strong running game with Frank Gore. They have a sure-handed receiver in Boldin and a scoring threat in Davis.

And although the players clearly believe in and follow Kaepernick, part of their identity as an offense is because of Crabtree.