Coming off a rather ugly, but lopsided victory on Monday night against the division rival Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers traveled to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to face off against the Packers who wore their throwback uni's. With both teams trailing their respective division leaders by a game in the standings, a win would keep them in the thick of things, while a loss could decide their fate in the playoff hunt. With a staggering 261 rushing yards in their last outing, the San Francisco run game would be put to the test having to go up against one of the league's better defenses.
Getting on the board first, would be the 49ers who marched down field on offense. Coming up short on third down, the newly acquired Jeff Reed who was released just weeks prior to his 49er debut, took no time fitting in, splitting the uprights for a 44 yard field goal on San Francisco's opening drive. After compiling some 50+ yards led by Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby tried for a 33 yard field goal to tie it, but missed. Following a handful of harmless drives, Reed would connect for another field goal, giving the 49ers an early 6-0 boost. However, a six point lead wouldn't nearly be enough, as Rodgers began to set in.
A 49er penalty would give the Packers offense a free play, resulting in Rodgers finding his talented wide-out Greg Jennings 50 yards out in the end-zone overtaking the lead. Green Bay fullback John Kuhn would then tack on another seven points after a 49ers three and out. Trailing 14-6, Troy Smith took only 20 seconds to connect with his Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis, who dodged a tackle and scored on a 66-yard reception, as Green Bay hung on to a 1-point lead heading into the half. Starting the second half with the ball, the Packers offense would continue right where they left off, ignited by a catch and run by veteran wide receiver Donald Driver. A combination of nifty moves and shitty tackling would doom the 49ers, as Driver was able to stay in bounds and add to Green Bay's lead.
Troy Smith and company would respond with another Jeff Reed field-goal, but were unable to get anything else going on offense from there on. Meanwhile, a pair of Crosby field goals and another touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jennings padded Green Bay's lead, before a late Troy Smith interception sealed the deal. Unfortunately for the 9ers who dropped to a disappointing 4-8 record with the loss, both St. Louis and Seattle who are tied atop the division (NFC West), won on Sunday, dropping San Francisco in the standings. As for Green Bay, they trail the first place Chicago Bears by 1 game in the NFC North. The loss at Lambeau was the second in as many years, and has me wondering, what's up with the scheduling? I'm not trying to make up excuses, but two straight meetings on the road against a non-division foe is something I don't remember seeing. Not to mention in the blistering cold at Lambeau where teams not accustomed to the cold weather don't fare very well.
Noteworthy - Despite the loss, Vernon Davis finished with a career high 126 yards on 4 catches to go along with his lone touchdown reception. In week 14, the 49ers will get a chance to avenge one of their bigger defeats this year, when they took a loss on the road in week 1 to the division rival Seattle Seahawks, 31-6.
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