Green Bay Packers v. 49ers: Gut Reactions & a few Highlights

Once again the Green Bay Packers were whooped in San Francisco by the 49ers. For the final time this season, here are the gut reactions and a highlight or two.

Oof. The Green Bay Packers were just four quarters away from the Super Bowl and although everyone knew that beating San Francisco would be a tall task, instead it was another ugly performance. They were clearly out matched and made things worse with their own sloppy mistakes.

For the final time this season, I give you my gut reactions from what was a disappointing performance. Oh yeah, there might be a few highlights sprinkled in there as well.

• We knew winning would be difficult, but I didn’t think we’d see a similar performance from the Packers that we saw in Week 12. Embarrassing, especially in the first half.
• The Green Bay Packers already had to play a near perfect game to win this one but they had way too many mistakes to ever give themselves a chance. Fumbles, an interception, false starts, just sloppy, sloppy play.
• The last seven games, the Packers had been much better at defending the run – minus the Detroit game – but tonight they were gashed! There was no answer for Raheem Mostert.
• In an unrelated note, I’ll be starting my research on IDL prospects for the upcoming draft.
• Falling behind two scores and becoming one-dimensional was a recipe for disaster against this defense. The Niners have what many would consider the best pass-defense in the NFL and if their pass-rush can pin their ears back, good luck.
• Here’s a positive play, because we know there certainly weren’t many.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1219077320062853120

• So many missed tackles. Sheesh.
• A big key for Green Bay was making San Francisco respect the run, which hopefully would have helped open things up in the passing game, but after falling behind so quickly they never really had the opportunity.
• Most games are won or lost in the trenches and that was no different tonight. Just as they did in Week 12, the 49ers dominated.
• Jace Sternberger gets his first, and what we hope is many, touchdown receptions.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1219081786765930496

• A big test came early on when they were down 7-0 and the offense needed to respond, however, they would get one first down and then punt.
• While he did hit Davante Adams on a 65 yard pass, for the most part there wasn’t much open downfield for Aaron Rodgers. But he was very efficient completing 31/39 passes for 326 yards.
• As he has most of the season, Aaron Jones still found success on the ground averaging just under five yards per carry. Unfortunately, he didn’t get enough touches.

• I mentioned it above, but it’s worth saying again: Raheem Mostert was a problem for this defense as he totaled over 200 rushing yards.
• Putting the ball in Jimmy Garoppolo’s hands was something that needed to happen for this Packer defense but he only threw the ball 8 times.
• The 49ers’ offense was this impressive and they did it primarily without George Kittle in the passing game. But as always, he is a fantastic run blocker.
• Green Bay was just simply outmatched.
• I know it might be difficult to see it now, but this was a successful season for Green Bay considering where they were this time a year ago.
• It wasn’t easy but Davante Adams had another 100 yard performance to cap off what has been a fantastic stretch during these final five games. Including this beauty for 65 yards!

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1219080503531192320

• On Green Bay’s opening possession they had fourth and short around midfield, should they have gone for it?
• It wasn’t just a rough game for the players but it wasn’t pretty for Mike Pettine or Matt LaFleur either. Pettine seemed reluctant to sell out against the run and LaFleur’s game plan didn’t look much different on the surface from Week 12.

Well, there’s no way to sugar coat it, that was rough. But this is a Green Bay Packers team that has come along ways in a short amount of time. However as we saw, they still have a ways to go to be a real Super Bowl contender.