SANTA CLARA – The play unfolded so perfectly that Joe Staley said he knew rounding the corner it would be him and one New Orleans Saints safety standing between Alex Smith and the end zone.

So clear the way he did, freeing Smith on the quarterback's 28-yard bootleg touchdown run in the fourth quarter Saturday with a precise cut block 20 yards down the field.

And perhaps aware that offensive linemen don't get a lot of attention on highlight reels, the 49ers' left tackle later made sure the play stood out.

"Joe told us in the locker room, 'Wait 'til you see my block on film,' " 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday, two days after the 49ers defeated the Saints 36-32 to advance to Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants at Candlestick Park.

"He made sure everybody knows about that block," said right tackle Anthony Davis. "I would, too. If you ran like Joe ran and sprung a play like that, he deserves that."

Staley said Monday he lauded the block with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

But the play – block included – was still generating praise among the 49ers for its timeliness and execution.

On third and eight from the Saints' 28-yard line and with 2:18 left in the game, the 49ers lined up with four receivers and tight end Vernon Davis to the right of Anthony Davis. The Saints overloaded that side of the line where they blitzed, leaving one safety in the secondary – much to the delight of the 49ers' offensive line.

"I was so happy to see the blitz coming my way and see the safety down (the field)," Anthony Davis said. "It's a great feeling knowing that that play is coming."

Smith took the snap and sprinted immediately to his left, away from the pressure.

Receiver Kyle Williams, who had lined up wide to Smith's left and motioned toward the middle, cracked down hard on Saints defensive end Will Smith. Receiver Michael Crabtree lined up in the slot and made a key block on a defensive back.

Staley, meanwhile, pulled left and sprinted upfield ahead of Smith and threw a cut block near the Saints' 10-yard line that sent safety Isa Abdul-Quddus tumbling forward with his heels in the air, allowing Smith to gallop into the end zone untouched.

"It was a tremendous block, the stride, the beauty of the arm action, the leg cycle, the speed," Harbaugh said. "To me it was like barbed wire getting rolled up – anything in its path kind of just gets collected."

Added Staley: "I kind of rolled (on the block) and when I rolled I was on the ground and I saw Alex running, I was like, 'Yes, you get that touchdown.'

"A great call by (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman in a perfect situation. (New Orleans) had the blitz on that we wanted, and we were able to run away from it."

Somewhat overshadowed was the block by the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Williams, who lowered his shoulder into Saints right end Will Smith, listed at 6-3, 282 pounds.

Williams said Monday he didn't see Staley's block on the play but certainly didn't begrudge Staley any attention – especially after seeing the replay.

"I think his was better," Williams said. "It sprung (Smith) for the TD."

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Matt Kawahara, (916) 321-1015.

• Read more articles by Matt Kawahara