For the second year in a row, the quarterback representing the N.F.C. in the Super Bowl — Kaepernick and Wilson will meet Sunday in the conference title game — will be associated with the transformation of his position.

On Sunday, Kaepernick hurt Carolina with crucial runs out of the pocket, including a 4-yard touchdown run that gave the 49ers a 20-10 lead. He ran eight times for 15 yards and threw for 196 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s a blessing and a curse,” 49ers center Jonathan Goodwin said when asked about blocking for Kaepernick. “It’s a blessing when he makes a play and makes something out of nothing. It’s a curse when he tries to make a play and it’s not there. But I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”

Newton, Wilson and Kaepernick have even rubbed off on old souls like Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, who have occasionally made a run for it.

The new generation has also learned a lesson that Michael Vick never absorbed: Put pride and ego aside and get down. Don’t take the big hits.

For all the talk about transformation, one thing that has remained constant, from Bobby Layne and Johnny Unitas to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady: A quarterback cannot be careless.

Whether it was Luck with four interceptions against New England on Saturday or Newton with two interceptions against San Francisco on Sunday, in any era when a quarterback turns over the ball, his team is likely to lose.