In a game where each team’s playoff expectations were high, the Green Bay Packers pulled off a 38-10 victory over the stumbling San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
With the win, the Packers improved to 8-3 to remain in full control of their path to the postseason. The 49ers fell to 5-6 and were in even more danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.
The Packers picked up the win against a 49ers team that was missing several key starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder), All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa (hip/oblique). the 49ers’ inactives.
With Brandon Allen at quarterback for the 49ers, the Packers took control early and took a 17-0 lead into the second quarter, while San Francisco managed just six offensive plays in the first 23:37 of the competition. The 49ers put together their first successful drive of the day to end the second quarter with a touchdown that raised hopes of a rally before the second half kickoff.
But Xavier McKinney dashed those hopes with an interception of Allen midway through the third quarter. McKinney returned the ball 48 yards to the San Francisco 26-yard line to put the Packers in scoring position.
Three plays later, Josh Jacobs ran for his second touchdown of the day to extend the Packers’ lead to 24-7. An Allen fumble on a sack in the fourth quarter allowed the Packers to extend their lead again to 31-10 after Jacobs’ third touchdown of the day.
Packers far removed from Jordan Love’s knee injury
Jordan Love’s touchdown pass to Malik Heath in the final five minutes punctuated the Packers’ outburst in front of a cheering Lambeau Field crowd. Injuries to the 49ers or not, it provided a decisive victory for a Packers team that had been on the rise since a 2-2 start, including a knee injury to Love that was initially feared might end the season. Instead, Love missed just two games.
Since Love’s return, the Packers have gone 6-2 while producing a top-five offense. Sunday’s win was a well-rounded effort, as the Packers forced three turnovers and scored 38 points against one of the NFL’s stronger defenses.
Love finished the day completing 13 of 23 passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. Jacobs added 106 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.
Green Bay limited San Francisco’s playmakers in an offense that struggled without Purdy under center. George Kittle was San Francisco’s most potent weapon on the day with six catches for 82 yards. Deebo Samuel caught just one pass for 21 yards and had an 87-yard kickoff to start the second half called back for a break.
Christian McCaffrey suffered another calf/Achilles injury in his third match. He gained 68 yards from scrimmage and averaged 2.8 yards on 11 carries. His fumble in the fourth quarter set up Green Bay’s final touchdown.
Allen completed 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble.
It made for another disappointing defeat in a once promising season that was partially derailed by McCaffrey’s early injury. Now the 49ers are at 5-6 and on the wrong side of the playoff picture with a remaining schedule that includes games against the Bills, Rams and Lions. They need a lot to sneak back into the playoff hunt. Purdy’s status for next week’s crucial game against the Bills is unclear.
The Packers remain behind the 10-1 Detroit Lions and 9-2 Minnesota Vikings in a loaded NFC North. But they are well ahead of the back end of the NFC wild card pack and are in prime position to make the postseason.
