Harbaugh gives Akers thumbs up

Sub-par season and Twitter threats be damned!

Despite staying vague all week concerning the circus surrounding the 49ers kicking controversy this past, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Friday he will be using veteran David Akers in Saturday’s divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.

Outside of Aaron Rogers playing his first game at Candlestick, Harbaugh’s choice of kicker has been atop the football media’s discussion list since former Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff was signed to the Niners on New Years Day.

Harbaugh told the Chronicle of Cundiff’s performance in practice:

“He’s done a nice job. … David has done a better job and is more prepared to give us the best chance to win.”

The Chronicle’s Eric Branch reports that newly signed kicker Billy Cundiff will likely be on the roster Saturday but inactive.

Akers, 38, has missed 10 of 19 attempts from 40-plus yards, including two overtime misses against the St. Louis Rams in the 49ers’ final regular season game. Akers does, though, have a wealth of experience kicking at Candlestick, a newer concept for Cundiff.

Plus, Akers has a better post-season record than Cundiff. A six-time Pro Bowler, Akers has made 35 of 42 attempts in the post-season (83.3 percent) ranking him second in NFL playoff history.

Cundiff somewhat notoriously hooked a last-second game-tying field goal in last season’s AFC Championship game, which allowed the New England Patriots to advance the Superbowl. But that’s a painful story we should just leave in the past.