NFL Week 6: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers Recap

Mike Morbeck via Flickr

NFL

Aaron Rodgers Does It Again

Monday Night Football saw the San Francisco 49ers travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers played better than most had expected, putting up some stiff competition for the Packers.

In a game where the lead changed several times, it came down to the wire to decide the winner. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat like he so often does, leading the Packers to victory in the final seconds of the game 33-30.

San Francisco 49ers

Offense

The San Francisco 49ers offense had a total of 227 passing yards and 174 rushing yards for a combined total of 401 yards. Quarterback CJ Beathard completed 16-23 for 245 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

The 49ers continued their trend of scoring on the opening drive of the game. Beathard marched the offense down the field resulting in a three-yard rushing touchdown to Matt Breida.

For the majority of the game, Beathard looked like a different QB when compared to his effort last week against the Arizona Cardinals. He appeared more decisive and confident in the pocket, releasing the ball quickly and with improved accuracy. Beathard made several big plays, showcasing his comfort with the deep ball.

However, the old Beathard returned late in the fourth quarter. Under pressure, he reverted to his bad habits of holding onto the ball for too long. He was sacked resulting in the Niners losing valuable field position and threw his only interception of the game with less than one minute of game time remaining.

Beathard threw a dime to Marquise Goodwin for a 67-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

The 49ers’ final touchdown would come in the second quarter with a 30-yard reception to Goodwin.

Goodwin led the 49ers in receiving yards with four receptions for 126 yards. He was a welcome addition to the offense after missing the previous two games with injuries.

Due to ongoing injuries with Breida, Raheem Mostert received his biggest amount of game time this season. He shared snaps with Breida, leading the Niners in rushing yards with twelve carries for 87 yards.

Robbie Gould was instrumental yet again, kicking three from three field goals to keep the 49ers in the game.

Defense

The defense started poorly and improved as the game progressed. Early on they looked somewhat lost and unprepared. They allowed a 60-yard play on the Green Bay Packers’ first touch of the ball. A throw from Rodgers to a wide open Marquez Valdes-Scantling put the Packers into great field position which would end in a touchdown just a few plays later.

Their zone coverage was inadequate, to say the least. Rodgers was able to exploit the poor defense with some big plays to unmarked Packers players. While they struggled at times with zone, their man coverage was tight throughout the game. Putting pressure on Rodgers to find an open player.

Reuben Foster led the defense with nine tackles, while DeForest Buckner, Ronald Blair and Sheldon Day would each come away with one sack each.

There was an improvement on missed tackles, with the defense making some important stops late into the fourth quarter. They were also able to close out the Packers’ run game.

Rookie Greg Mabin was targeted by Rodgers in the final stages of the game, with the Packers picking up much-needed yardage. Mabin was unable to cover his man, ultimately resulting in the game-winning field goal.

Another loss for the Niners continues to add pressure to head coach Kyle Shanahan as well as defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Green Bay Packers

Offense

The Green Bay Packers offense had a total of 405 passing yards and 106 rushing yards for a combined total of 521 yards. Aaron Rodgers completed 25-46 for 425 yards and two touchdowns.

Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a come from behind victory. He showcased his incredible abilities throughout the game, proving why he truly is one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game. He dissected the 49ers’ secondary early in the game and again in the fourth quarter.

The Green Bay Packers offense started strongly. After completing a 60-yard opening play downfield, a 17-yard run by Aaron Jones almost resulted in a touchdown. However, the officials ruled it to be short. The Packers would soon get points on the board with Ty Montgomery running in a two-yard touchdown pass.

A fumble from 49ers DJ Reed on the San Francisco 34-yard line would mean more points for the Packers. Mason Crosby would kick the field goal to put them ahead. Another fumble from Kyle Juszczyk resulted in a further field goal for the Packers. Crosby vastly improved from his 1-5 effort last week, kicking all four field goals, including the game-winning kick with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Davante Adams led in receiving yards with ten receptions for 132 yards. The wide receiver would also score two touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers with a nine-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and a 16-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Jones led the team in rushing with eight carries for 41 yards. Jimmy Graham also contributed with five receptions for 104 yards including a huge 54-yard gain in the first quarter.

Defense

Much like the 49ers defense, the Green Bay Packers struggled to contain the offense at times during the game. They were ineffective at stopping the Niners’ run game with Mostert and Breida both picking up considerable yards.

The secondary was also sloppy on occasion, allowing Beathard to drop the deep ball twice to Goodwin which resulted in touchdowns as well as giving up other big plays.

They did well to limit the 49ers to a field goal just prior to halftime. The Packers also had another great defensive series late in the fourth quarter, stopping the 49ers inside their own 20-yard line. A punt from Bradley Pinion would give the Packers the ball back around the halfway line.

Kevin King came away with a vital interception in the fourth quarter courtesy of a Beathard pass intended for Goodwin.

Blake Martinez led the defense with a total of twelve tackles while Clay Matthews and Kenny Clark each came away with one sack each.

Nick Perry performed well with three pass breakups throughout the game.

The San Francisco 49ers now move to 1-5 while the Green Bay Packers move up to 3-2-1.

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of Mike Morbeck

Follow Matt Stephenson on Twitter: @Matt_Stevo49ers

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