Packers: Three takeaways from NFC Championship loss to 49ers
Three takeaways from the NFC Championship Game.
It couldn’t have gone much worse for the Green Bay Packers. The Week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers was embarrassing, but the home team showed this was no fluke in the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers matched the 49ers’ 13-3 regular-season record, but after two games against them, it’s clear there’s a big gap between these two teams.
What were the biggest takeaways from the NFC Championship?
1. Packers’ struggles against the run return
Stopping the run has been an issue for the Packers for much of the season. But this was on another level entirely.
San Francisco’s run game was so dominant that Jimmy Garoppolo only needed to attempt eight passes. His team still put up 37 points. Green Bay’s defense couldn’t stop Raheem Mostert, who carried the ball 29 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns.
If you can’t stop the run, you can’t win in the postseason.
Perhaps the Packers overrated their defensive line before the season. Kenny Clark is a star, but the Packers need to get better up front on defense.
2. Slow start the issue again
A slow start put the Packers immediately behind the eight ball in the first meeting, but for a brief moment it looked like they’d avoided that this time around.
The defense forced a three-and-out on the 49ers’ opening possession, then the Packers moved the chains to start their first drive of the game. But facing a third-and-3 at their own 48-yard line, Jamaal Williams was stopped after a two-yard gain. Matt LaFleur opted to punt on fourth-and-short, and all momentum was lost.
The Packers gave up a touchdown on a six-play drive and the 49ers began to grow in confidence. On the first play of the second quarter, San Francisco led 10-0.
3. Packers have a long way to go
Overall, this was a very successful season for Green Bay. A team that had failed to reach the playoffs two years running and entered 2019 with a new head coach managed to secure a first-round bye before advancing to the NFC Championship.
But this game proved how far away this team is from the very best in the NFL. The 49ers are a step ahead, and the same is likely true of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
GM Brian Gutekunst has a busy offseason ahead. He’s done a great job in his first two years rebuilding this roster. He needs another strong offseason to help this team take the next step.