Green Bay Packers v. 49ers: Gut Reactions & 1 or 2 Highlights

It was another ugly west coast game for the Green Bay Packers. Here are the gut reactions and a highlight or two from what we saw in tonight’s game.

It was another west coast trip for the Green Bay Packers and another horrendous performance. Much like their last loss in Los Angeles, their were too many penalties, they lost the turnover battle, and the offense was futile. So if you’re up for it, let’s take a look at the gut reactions from tonight’s game and I managed to find a highlight or two.

• The opening drive was just an awful sequence and an omen for how this game would go. After converting a first down catch, Davante Adams was called for a taunting penalty and a few plays later Aaron Rodgers would fumble which led to a Niners’ touchdown.
• It’s clear the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff loves Geronimo Allison but it’s time to start reducing his snap count. He had another dropped pass tonight – which has been an issue all season – and he’s just not athletic enough to be successful on those wide receiver screens that Matt LaFleur keeps calling for him.
• In reference to the previous bullet point, we need more Allen Lazard. Outside of Adams he has been Rodgers’ most reliable target this season.
• Losing Bryan Bulaga early on was devastating because Alex Light on Nick Bosa went about as well as you’d think.

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1198796783880523776

• On the bright side, Za’Darius Smith was fantastic as expected. He had a huge mismatch against 49ers’ tackle Justin Skule and was consistently in the backfield.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling had his first catch since October 27th against Kansas City. I know he hasn’t been fully healthy, but that has to change.
• This Packers’ receiving core – other than Adams – just continues to underwhelm. It’s been a very unproductive month of football for them.
• That 49er defensive front is no joke. We knew how stout their pass rush was prior to the game and we saw that on full display. But they also did a great job slowing the Green Bay Packers’ run game, holding Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams to under three yards per carry.
• So everyone is cool if the Packers never play on the west coast again? Alright, great.
• Finally! We saw Davante Adams score his first touchdown of the season.

• Ultimately this game was lost in the trenches. The Niners dominated that aspect of the game on both sides of the ball.
• Green Bay continues to give up big plays over the middle and tight ends keep putting up big numbers. George Kittle had over 125 receiving yards and made Kevin King look….not good we will say.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1198806912189362176

• Against this Niner defense, the Packers were a brutal 1-15 on third downs.
• Also, I do love LaFleur’s aggressiveness, even when he passed up the field goal early on. However, his fourth down play calling has to be less predictable.

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1198787245844484096

• The Packers entered the game with -8 punt return yards this season and they somehow got worse. Returning punts for the Green Bay Packers looks like the most difficult thing on Earth to do.
• And while we are on special teams, after a hot start to the season, J.K. Scott has struggled as of late. In perfect conditions tonight when they really needed him to flip the field, he couldn’t do it.
• How about that Za’Darius Smith’s sack celebration? I’m pretty sure it’s impossible not to love this guy.

• I’m not sure how he does it, but Aaron Jones’ ability to shrink and move through the tiniest of gaps is incredible.
• Aaron Rodgers didn’t break 100 passing yards until the fourth quarter. Yikes.
• We also saw Rodgers revert back to holding the ball too long. When you’re down at some point you have to take a chance and try to make something happen.
• There isn’t much else to say about this game, it was just a sloppy, sloppy performance. And credit to the 49ers as well, they played fast and were very well prepared as we expected they’d be under Kyle Shanahan.
• The good news? The schedule gets much easier moving forward.

Well, at least it’s over and at 8-3 the Green Bay Packers are now tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the division lead but they do hold the tie breaker. Next Sunday they will be on the road once again, this time taking on the New York Giants. Hopefully they get back on track against a lesser opponent.