In a high-stakes game for each team’s playoff hopes, the Green Bay Packers cruised to a 38-10 victory over the reeling San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
With the win, the Packers improved to 8-3 to be in full control of their path to the postseason. The 49ers fell to 5-6 and in further danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.
The Packers won 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) were also among the 49ers. inactive.
With Brandon Allen starting at quarterback for the 49ers, the Packers took early control and went on a 17-0 run in the second quarter as San Francisco managed just six offensive plays in the first 23:37. The 49ers put together their first drive of the day to end the second quarter with a touchdown that raised hopes of a rally before getting kicked off in the second half.
But Xavier McKinney extinguished those hopes when he intercepted 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. Allen’s fumble in the fourth quarter on the sack allowed the Packers to extend their lead again to 31-10 on Jacobs’ third touchdown of the day.
Packers are far from Jordan Love’s knee injury
Jordan Love’s touchdown pass to Malik Heath in the final five minutes broke the Packers’ streak in front of a cheering Lambeau Field crowd. Injuries to the 49ers or not, it made for a decisive win for a Packers team that was on the rise from a 2-2 start that included a knee injury to Love that was initially feared to be potentially season-ending. Instead, Love only missed two games.
Since Love’s return, the Packers have gone 6-2, making the top five. Sunday’s win was an all-around effort as the Packers forced three turnovers and scored 38 points against one of the NFL’s more potent defenses.
Love finished the day by 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 strongest 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 return to start the second half and called for a possession.
Christian McCaffrey struggled again in his third game with a calf/Achilles injury. He amassed 68 yards from scrimmage and averaged 2.8 yards per 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, an interception and a lost fumble.
It added another disappointing loss to a once-promising season derailed in part by an early injury to McCaffrey. Now the 49ers sit 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 get back into the playoffs. Purdy’s status for next week’s crunch game against the Bills is unclear.
The Packers remain behind the 10-1 Detroit Lions and 9-2 Minnesota Vikings in the loaded NFC North. However, they are well in front of the back of the NFC wild card pack and in prime position to make the postseason.