Packers given reality check by 49ers in heavy defeat
The Green Bay Packers were given a reality check by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.
The loss to the Los Angeles Chargers was written off as just one of those days. Now it’s becoming a habit. The Green Bay Packers were beaten — well beaten — by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football, and have been given a serious reality check in the NFC race.
The Packers were supposed to be a healthy team coming off its bye. They looked anything but. Outclassed by the class of the conference, the 49ers showed just how far ahead they currently are of Matt LaFleur’s team.
Green Bay’s first possession set the tone for the rest of the game.
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Davante Adams cost the Packers 15 yards after picking up a first down. Moments later, Aaron Rodgers was pressured, sacked and fumbled the football. The 49ers took over possession on the Packers’ two-yard line and Tevin Coleman ran in for a 49ers touchdown.
The game had many similarities to the embarrassment against the Chargers three weeks ago. The offensive line (without Bryan Bulaga for much of the game), struggled to control the 49ers’ dominant defensive line. The 49ers sacked Rodgers five times and had 10 QB hits.
The 49ers also stopped Aaron Jones, limiting him to just 38 yards on 13 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt.
The Packers averaged 2.8 yards per play and 1.9 yards per pass. It was a statement victory for the 49ers and a worrying sign for the Packers. They have a lot of work to do moving forward.
They can kiss the number one seed goodbye. San Francisco is now two games ahead and effectively three as it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The number two seed is also that much further away now. Green Bay’s focus needs to be on getting the job done in the final five weeks, with four very winnable matchups against the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
A matchup in Minnesota in between will be the biggest game, but winning the other four could be enough to secure the NFC North title. And that’s the number one goal from here on out.