A frustrated Mike McCarthy watches his team drop the 2012 season-opener to the 49ers Sunday at Lambeau Field. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The San Francisco 49ers used a solid run game and stingy defense, a timely interception and got just enough production from QB Alex Smith to defeat the Green Bay Packers 30-22 at Lambeau Field Sunday.

The start of the 2012 season didn’t go as many thought for the Packers who came out trying to mix the run and pass, but got nearly zero production from newly-acquired running back Cedric Benson.

In fact, the Packers had to punt six of their first seven possessions while the 49ers used a solid run game and a short passing game to control the clock.

“We played a very good football team today,” Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said at his post-game press conference. “We did some things that we can build on.”

David Akers connected on three field goals in the first half, including a 63-yarder at the end of the second quarter that bounced high off the crossbar and over to tie the National Football League record. The 49ers first field goal came after a 58-yard drive on nine plays.

Akers connected from 40 yards. Randy Moss caught a 14-yard pass from Smith at the 11:10 mark of the second quarter to give the 49ers a 10-0 lead. However, the Packers came right back on a 10-play 80-yard drive that was capped by a 1 yard touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley.

The Packers were awarded the ball at the one yard line after the Niners were flagged for a pass interference call in the end zone. However, with a strange end to the second quarter the Niners capped a 10-play 55-yard drive with another Akers field goal from 43 yards out to give the Niners a 13-7 lead.

The Packers quickly went three and out and had to punt the ball inside 20 seconds. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was not happy with how that last stalled drive allowed the Niners to get the ball back. He took the blame for the Niners final field goal of the first half when he didn’t stay in bounds on the third down play to allow the clock to run down.

The 49ers capitalized by moving the ball a bit over 20 yards to set up Akers’ 63-yarder to up their halftime lead to 16-7. When the Niners stopped the Packers on their opening drive of the second half, they took control of the game by driving the ball 84 yards and finishing it with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis to give them a 23-7 lead.

Lambeau Field fell silent, but the Packers weren’t done, despite their poor overall play up to that point. The bright spot for the Packers throughout the afternoon was second year receiver Randall Cobb. In addition to his team-leading nine receptions for 77 yards, Cobb also took a fourth quarter punt and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to cut the Niners lead to 23-15 after Jordy Nelson caught a two-point conversion from Rodgers.

When the Packers defense held midway through the fourth quarter, Rodgers did what he hasn’t done much the past few years – he threw an interception. On the first play of the drive, Rodgers attempted a quick hitter over the middle but was picked off by Niners linebacker Nick Bowman.

One play later Niners running back Frank Gore was in the end zone from 23 yards out to give San Francisco a seemingly insurmountable 30-15 lead.

Rodgers then led the Packers on a five-play, 76-yard drive that was highlighted by James Jones’ 10-yard touchdown catch. After the Packers stopped the Niners on downs inside of three minutes, they got the ball back, moved out to near midfield, but the Niners stopped Rodgers and the Packers on downs.

“We’re 0-1. We’re going to see it again Thursday (when the Chicago Bears come to Lambeau Field for a North Division showdown).

“This is one game and we lost to the team that was in the NFC Championship last year. We hope we see them down the road in the playoffs,” Rodger said.

But to start thinking about the post-season, Rodgers also admitted that the Packers have to get by this loss and move on. “We’ve got another home game Thursday and we gotta play better,” he said.

Statistics from the game, courtesy of si.com are as follows:

• Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

David Akers 40 yd FG, 4:53 Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards in 4:18
San Francisco 3-0

2nd Quarter

Randy Moss 14 yd pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 11:10 Drive: 9 plays, 92 yards in 5:10
San Francisco 10-0

Jermichael Finley 1 yd pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:40 Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards in 6:30
San Francisco 10-7

David Akers 43 yd FG, 0:55 Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards in 3:45
San Francisco 13-7

David Akers 63 yd FG, 0:00 Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards in 0:18
San Francisco 16-7

3rd Quarter

Vernon Davis 4 yd pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 8:16 Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards in 5:09
San Francisco 23-7

4th Quarter

Randall Cobb 75 yd punt return (Jordy Nelson 2pt Pass from Aaron Rodgers), 11:16 Drive: 0 play, 0 yard
San Francisco 23-15

Frank Gore 23 yd run (David Akers kick), 8:41 Drive: 1 play, 23 yards in 0:09
San Francisco 30-15

James Jones 10 yd pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 6:05 Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards in 2:36
San Francisco 30-22

 Packers

Enjoy the Packers versus 49ers today. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

If you’re going to Lambeau Field for today’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, you will have ringside seats to the National Football League’s most-anticipated game – heck, even Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be there calling it.

However, if not, check out the preview below, as well as the map provided by http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2012/wk1.html.

Across the state, the game will be broadcast on FOX television stations, and if you like listening to Wayne Larrivee on the radio, check out the Packers Radio Network.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-previews/0ap2000000059209/Preview-San-Francisco-49ers-vs-Green-Bay-Packers

NFL on FOX: Week 1 Late Game – September 9, 2012 

UPDATES:
Fort Myers FL: SF-GB to CAR-TB

Aug 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Sunday’s, NFL Season opener for the Green Bay Packers has Aaron Rodgers facing Alex Smith as the Packers face the 49ers. Alex Smith beat out Aaron Rodgers to be the number one pick for San Francisco in the 2005 NFL Draft as Rodgers fell to the Packers with the 24th pick.

Rodgers has become a much better quarterback than Smith so in what ways is Rodgers better?

Arm Strength and Accuracy

Aaron Rodgers has had a huge arm with the ability to just sit back and fling the ball 50 yards for a touchdown. Rodgers can make just about any throw as he has the power to drive the ball and the accuracy to avoid making that one bad throw that Brett Favre would occassionally make.

Rodgers is one of a few quarterbacks to ever play the game that is extremely accurate and has a great arm. Meanwhile, Alex Smith’s best single season completion percentage is worse than Aaron Rodgers’s worst completion percentage rate in all the seasons Rodgers has started for the Packers.  Rodgers has also made more plays down the field and has averaged more yards per completion than Smith.

Mobility

Aaron Rodgers has always had great mobility as he knows how to get outside a collapsing pocket and make plays whether it be with his arm or with his feet. Rodgers has good enough speed to seperate from most defensive lineman which allows him to make plays down the field. Rodgers has also had more than 200 rushing yards in each of his four seasons as starting quarterback for the Packers. Smith has never had more than 200 rushing yards in a season and is fairly limited to the pocket as he has not had to scramble too much because of the 49ers protection.

Consistency and Success

Since Aaron Rodgers took over, he has established himself as the best quarterback in the NFL and has already had a career of a Hall of Fame quarterback, and he has only been a starter for four years. Rodgers already has a Super Bowl ring, an MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, an All Pro award, and two Pro Bowl appearances. Rodgers has also been the unqestionable starter in Green Bay while Alex Smith had struggled his entire career until Jim Harbaugh arrived as the San Francisco head coach last season. Still, Smith’s struggles led the 49ers to choosing Colin Kaepernick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Aaron Rodgers has been and is the better quarterback by a margin that’s bigger than the Atlantic Ocean.

If you’re making the journey to Lambeau Field for tomorrow’s game, be aware of road construction. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

If you’re heading to Lambeau Field for the 2012 season opener featuring the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers you should be aware that getting to the stadium may not be so simple – translation: road construction.

With that in mind, the Wisconsin State Department of Transportation so kindly issued its travel advisory, which you can see below. There are several areas where traffic slow-downs are being expected. Pay special attention to the areas along which you will be traveling and most importantly – leave a little early to be sure you arrive on time.

I would hate to have you miss that first touchdown pass that Aaron Rodgers throws!

So, take a look at the advisory below … and enjoy the game.

Packer travel advisory – Road construction update in Northeast Wisconsin

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 9 for the Green Bay Packers/San Francisco 49ers football game that the road construction season continues on most major roads in Northeast Wisconsin. While most projects will stop and two lanes of traffic will be open, drivers might still encounter road conditions in the work zones that could cause backups.

WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations.

Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling and the road conditions they should anticipate:

US 41

·        Brown County – Drivers will encounter 11-foot travel lanes and reduced shoulders in multiple locations along a 10-mile segment of highway. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph from just south of Scheuring Road to I-43.

·        Winnebago County – A majority of 12 miles of highway, from 9th Avenue to Breezewood Lane, has restricted shoulders, 11-foot travel lanes and speed limits reduced to 55 mph in both directions.

WIS 29

·        Brown County – Motorists traveling on WIS 29 will have to drive on 11-foot traffic lanes with reduced shoulders on five miles of highway from County FF to US 41. These restrictions affect both eastbound and westbound traffic lanes.

WIS 32

·        Brown County – Motorists traveling southbound on WIS 32/Ashland Avenue following the game are advised to use WIS 172 to access US 41 and avoid using the temporary ramp from WIS 32/Ashland Avenue directly to US 41.

WIS 54

·        Brown County – The WIS 54 and Seminary Road intersection has been reconfigured during roundabout construction that could slow traffic and cause backups at this location.

I-43/Leo Frigo Bridge

·        Brown County – traffic on I-43 at the Leo Frigo Bridge is reduced to a single lane with speeds reduced to 55 mph in both directions over a 3.5-mile segment of the highway. In addition, the following ramps are closed to traffic:

o   Southbound I-43 off-ramp to Webster Avenue

o   Northbound I-43 on-ramp from Webster Avenue

o   Southbound I-43 on-ramp from Atkinson Drive

WIS 57

·        Sheboygan County – WIS 57 is closed between WIS 144 and WIS 23. The posted detour includes I-43 and WIS 23.

Oneida Street – City of Ashwaubenon

·        City of Ashwaubenon – Oneida Street will now have two lanes open in each direction for all home Packer games.

With temperatures right around 70 degrees and partly cloudy skies, it looks like the game will be played in even better conditions than those forecast for San Francisco tomorrow.

The forecast for the Bay area calls for a high of around 64 degrees and partly cloudy skies.

Only on the opening day of the NFL season could it be more seasonable in Green Bay than it is in San Francisco.

Go here to see the complete story or read the story below.

This team was similar to the 2012 squad because of the prolific offense they brought to the field.

Enjoy …

Alumni from 1982 team to be introduced on the field at halftime

The Green Bay Packers game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 9, is the annual alumni game and will feature halftime introductions of 31 players from the Packers’ 1982 team, one of the most prolific offensive groups in club history.

Members of the 1982 team scheduled to be in attendance include Rich Campbell, Allan Clark, Paul Coffman, George Cumby, Lynn Dickey, Gerry Ellis, Phillip Epps, Johnnie Gray, Leotis Harris, Maurice Harvey, Harlan Huckleby, Eddie Lee Ivery, Ezra Johnson. Terry Jones, Greg Koch, Larry McCarren, Casey Merrill, Mark Merrill, Del Rodgers, Randy Scott, Ray Stachowicz, Jan Stenerud, Tim Stokes, Karl Swanke, David Whitehurst, Rich Wingo and 1982 head coach Bart Starr.

Also, two alumni, Lynn Dickey and Jan Stenerud, are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations, per home game custom.

Dickey came to the Packers from the Oilers in a 1976 trade. As the starting quarterback, Dickey led the Packers to the playoffs in 1982 where they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round when Dickey went 17-of-23 for 260 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-16 triumph. Dickey had a career year in 1983 when he powered the Packers’ offense to a then-team record 429 points. He threw for 4,458 yards and an NFL-best 32 touchdowns, and was named second-team All-NFC.

Stenerud came to the Packers as a free agent in 1980 after 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. In three seasons with the Packers, he played in 45 games and scored 292 points on 59 field goals and 115 extra points. Overall with 1,699 career NFL points, he ranked behind only George Blanda in all-time scoring at the time of his retirement. His 373 career field goals and seven seasons of scoring 100 or more points were also NFL records.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, both Dickey and Stenerud will be visiting with fans and signing autographs in the Packers Pro Shop from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Also on gameday, from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., Dickey will be visiting with fans and signing autographs in the Tundra Tailgate Zone. More information on the Tundra Tailgate Zone can be found by clicking here. During that same time, Stenerud will be in the Legends Club on the Associated Bank Club Level, an area accessible to game attendees with suite or club seat tickets, as a guest of the ‘Alumni Meet and Greet.’

The members of the 1982 team will take the field and serve in Sunday’s Ambassador Line during pregame festivities, and then be introduced from the field during halftime. Other Packers alumni will be in town as well, and be on the sidelines during the game.

Jordy Nelson scores a touchdown versus the 49ers back in 2010. Packers fans hope Nelson and the other Packers receivers come up big against the 49ers Sunday. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In a bit more than 24 hours we will all be transfixed on Lambeau Field and the opening of the 2012 National Football League game for both the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Many feel this is a preview of the the National Football Conference Championship Game … to me, that’s a bit premature. Both of these teams will look a lot different in December and January than they look now, but as we enter the season, this is as big as it gets. No doubt, this game trumps all others this first week – even the Cowboys vs. Giants and Broncos vs. Steelers, in my opinion, aren’t as sexy as this one.

You’ve got offense versus defense; Aaron Rodgers versus Alex Smith; the Packers offensive line versus the Smith boys on the 49ers defensive line; Randy Moss versus the Packers secondary – and a whole lot more.

And so, with that in mind, we here at Lombardiave.com have caught up with Eric Melendez, the lead editor at our Fansided.com fellow blog site, NinerNoise.com. We asked him a few questions about his outlook for Sunday’s game. In kind, we also answered a few questions he threw our way – we will feature our answers right here on our site tomorrow morning, so be sure to stop back prior to the game to see our exchange.

In the meantime, here’s our questions and Eric’s responses:

With new addition Perrish Cox and second-year player Chris Culliver at cornerback behind the starters, the secondary appears to be in good hands. Cox showed in the preseason he makes the correct reads of what the quarterback is going to do. Culliver has the size and speed to keep up with the Packers receivers.

Lombardiave: The 49ers defense has been hailed as one of the best to hit the field in many years. The question I have going into Sunday’s game is this: Can they really slow down the Packers’ offense?

The 49ers defense will pose a huge challenge to the Packers offense. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Niner Noise: The 49ers’ secondary looked sluggish in the preseason, especially the first-stringers, which was not encouraging.  However, the 49ers have Pro Bowlers Carlos Rogers at cornerback and Dashon Goldson at safety leading and directing what the secondary needs to do on Sunday. What is key to the 49ers slowing down the Packers’ offense is applying constant pressure on Rodgers and forcing him to make mistakes, something the defensive line and linebackers did well last season. If the 49ers defense cannot get pressure on Rodgers, there is no way they will slow down the passing game.

Lombardiave: Given that the Packers’ pass defense was pathetic last season and considering that the Packers have had injuries to their defensive line (Pickett and Raji) will the Niners try to exploit the Packers through the air or on the ground?

Niner Noise: Expect the 49ers offense to exploit the Packers through the ground more than the air. The 49ers upgraded their passing game with the new additions at wide receiver, but the running game will still be the focus of the offense. The 49ers offensive line will win the matchup against the Packers defensive line, allowing them to march down the field. The real question is can the 49ers score touchdowns and not field goals after entering the red zone. This is something they struggled with last season which is why kicker David Akers set multiple kicking records. The 49ers need to score a touchdown on every possession if they want to keep up with the Packers prolific passing offense and have a chance to win the game.

Moss is second on the receivers depth chart, so Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff knows he can and will be valuable on the field as well. If Harbaugh did not think Moss could start and would do damage to opposing defenses, he would not be one of the starting receivers. Look for Moss to be a favorite target for Alex Smith in the back of the end zone.

Niner Noise: The 49ers and Packers will get off to a slow start as it is opening week and we will see some turnovers from both teams in the first half. The second half will be faster paced with both teams making plays they should on offense and defense. As much as the offenses will be highlighted, both defenses will be what everyone will be talking about after the game. It will be a close game throughout with 49ers edging out the win, 25-23, in the final minutes with a turnover.