Packers: Five standout performances from Week 9 win vs. 49ers
By Jesse Fry
Who were the top performers from the Packers’ win versus the 49ers?
On a short week with weird circumstances, the Green Bay Packers were able to pull out a blowout win versus the wounded San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers, down 11 of 22 starters, didn’t put up much of a fight. Without just about every preferred starter at the skill positions, San Fransisco couldn’t keep up with Green Bay.
In a surprise, Aaron Jones was back on the field after missing the last two games with a calf injury. Thought to possibly be on a rep count, Jones had 20 touches and the first four in the game.
What was clear from the first drive the difference Jones makes for the Packers offense. This is no slight to Jamaal Williams as he did a fine job replacing Jones but the offense is much different when #33 is in the lineup.
The team moved easily down the field for an opening drive touchdown, then seemed to bog down just a bit when Jones was resting his calf. Hopefully the injury is behind Jones and the Packers will have him without interruption for the rest of the season.
It wasn’t all good for the Packers. The team lost a few key players to injury. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander was lost with a concussion, right tackle Rick Wagner to a knee injury, and the reason for Jones taking handoffs deep into the fourth quarter of blowout game, Dexter Williams may have suffered a serious knee injury.
There isn’t much that can or should be taken from this game. The 49ers were down to second- and third-string players and not at all the same team that was on the field last January. But, this is the NFL and no one should apologize for a win. The Packers went out there and did what they were supposed to do and beat a lesser team.
The Packers are now 6-2 and leaders in the NFC North. They can take a mini bye week and get key players back and healthy.
But before we head towards Week 10, here are my top performers from Week 9.