Legacy Play

by Louis aan de Wiel

Revenge is a dish best served cold and that certainly applies to this game for the Packers. Ten months after the heartbreaking loss in the playoffs, the Packers get their revenge at frosty Lambeau Field. They routed the injury-plagued 49ers 38-10.

The game could not have come off to a better start as the Packers quickly jumped to a 10-0 lead by the start of the second quarter. Josh Jacobs was unstoppable as he amassed 58 yards on the ground in the first quarter only. Tucker Kraft also got another receiving touchdown as he continues to be one of the Packers most overlooked and dangerous weapons in the passing game. On the other side the 49ers could not get anything going as their first possession was a 3 and out.

The Packers prolonged their fast start into the second quarter as Josh Jacobs continued to run over numerous defenders and combined with penalties for the 49ers the Packers marched into the end-zone and Jacobs picked his first of three rushing touchdowns. At this stage the frozen San Fran fans who made the long trip to Green Bay were starting to fear the game becoming a blowout. Still, just before halftime the 49ers put together a strong drive with backup QB Brandon Allen marching the offense into the red zone and finishing the drive with a pinpoint strike to the effervescent George Kittle.

With the momentum starting to swing back in the favor of the 49ers along with the ball starting the second half, the Packers looked to restore their large lead. With under a minute left in the first half after a strong run by Jacobs, Love delivered a precise 40 yard missile to Christian Watson who dropped it just before entering the end zone. Returning to the huddle with his head in his hands, Watson knew just how big of a chance that was to essentially put the game out of sight. Following this, the 49ers defense forced a 3 and out and entered the half with confidence to turn the game around.

Entering the second half, the 49ers offense had a huge opportunity. They could reduce the deficit to only a field goal. The tension among the Packers fans was audible. However Jeff Hafleys men made a stand and made a huge stop on 4th down. This was the momentum the Packers needed to close out the game they could not exploit the excellent field position as following a sack the Packers were forced to punt. The onus was once again on the Packers defense to make a stop. Who else but Xavier McKinney as he intercepted a pass thrown off target to Kittle and the McKinney mania train continues to ride through Green Bay. This pick was the dagger in the heart of any 49ers chance to make a comeback and following a defensive pass interference call on Renardo Green in the end-zone, Josh Jacobs dove in like a dolphin to record his second touchdown of the game.

This essentially wrapped up the game for the 49ers as both sides struggled to get anything going on offense and penalties for both sides hampered any potential progress. The cherry on the cake for the Packers defense that had suffocated the 49ers offense all game was the Lukas Van Ness strip sack deep inside the 3rd quarter. The Packers capitalized off excellent field position again by guess who? You guessed right as Jacobs barrelled his way into the end-zone to complete his trifecta of touchdowns on the day. Later on in the 4th quarter the Packers defense forced yet another turnover as Christian McCaffrey fumbled and now it was Loves turn to make his impact on the game. Following 2 pinpoint throws to both Wicks and Heath, Love found Heath in the end-zone for his second touchdown pass of the year. The game was now out of sight for the 49ers as the Packers got another 4th down stop and Malik Willis got a few snaps at QB to end the game.

There was always going to be an asterisks on this game for both sides due to the injury crisis ravaging the 49ers and ruling out starting QB Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa for this game. However it was crucial the Packers to take care of business here in order to keep up with both the Lions and Vikings in the NFC North battle. The most important thing for the Packers was to see another strong and crucially clean game from Jordan Love along with Jeff Hafleys defense continuing to improve game on game and become a real game changer for the Packers.

For the 49ers , this result creates a serious dent in their bid to make the playoffs in a competitive NFC West and their horror show of a season continues. They were always gonna be up against it having to come to Lambeau field to face a strong Packers team alongside playing without their star QB and defensive player.However, they still should have done better considering the face they still had McCaffrey, Kittle and Deebo Samuel along with Fred Warner on defense. This loss is a snapshot of their season as costly penalties and turnovers sealed their fate. Stars like Deebo and McCaffrey just could not get going and the depth on the d-line was exposed today. Another loss like this and Kyle Shanahan could for the first time in his 49ers career be on the hot seat.