Packers Slip by 49ers on last-second Field Goal

Week 6 - C.J. Beathard and the 1-4 San Francisco 49ers on the road taking on Aaron Rodgers and the 2-2-1 Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field for a Monday Night showdown, sounds like a blowout, right? Instead, the Niners surprised virtually everyone by putting up a fight from start to finish and nearly pulling off the upset as Rodgers and the Pack were pushed to the brink. So much so that it would take a last-minute drive and some late-game heroics by a banged-up Rodgers who in a last-ditch effort would setup his friend and long-time teammate Mason Crosby for a game-winning field goal as time expired. An entertaining game from the opening drive, the ending albeit fitting, was almost something you'd expect to see in a script from Hollywood given the circumstances that took place just a week earlier for Crosby who redeemed himself in the biggest way possible.

A Monday night win at Lambeau would've been a huge step forward for Kyle Shanahan's Niners team who's still seeking their first win of the season since losing starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 3. Not to mention it would've continued San Francisco's streak of nine consecutive victories on Monday Night Football, the third longest streak in NFL history. But claiming Monday night win number ten was expected to be no easy task heading into the game as the Packers have not lost a home game with Rodgers under center in nine straight. Not to mention Rodgers has also been one known to bring his A-game on Monday Night as he entered the meeting against the team he grew up rooting for, owning a record of 5-1 in six career appearances on Monday Night. However, one thing we've grown to expect from a Kyle Shanahan coached team, is that he'll have his players ready to compete regardless of who they're playing or who's at quarterback. That much was very evident in this one against arguably the greatest quarterback in the league.

Like they've done in each of the past two weeks, the Niners once again came out swinging on offense to open the game. An impressive seven-play opening-drive touchdown would kick things off for the Niners as running back Matt Breida who entering the Monday Night affair as a game-time decision, began the scoring barrage that would take place in the first quarter. But the same issues that plagued San Francisco the week before in the home loss to Arizona, would once again appear on Green Bay's ensuing drive. It would almost seem like deja vu as the opposition answered with a big gain of their own just one play later. Similar to Josh Rosen's 75-yard bomb on the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage a week ago that answered an opening-drive touchdown by the Niners, the San Francisco defense once again fell victim to the big play as Rodgers connected with rookie receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 60-yard gain that would setup a Packers touchdown just three plays later. Then the nightmare that has been San Francisco's ball-handling or lack thereof this season, made its usual appearance. Rookie return man D.J. Reed who has already lost a fumble this season on kick returns, coughed up yet another one on the ensuing kick to give Green Bay the ball in scoring position. And though the Packers would be held to a field goal, it would only add to the laundry-list of fumbles San Francisco has already suffered this season. Unfortunately, the ball control woes wouldn't end there.

Before you knew it, the Niners and Packers went blow for blow and combined to score a total of 31-points in the first quarter alone, the second highest point total through an opening quarter in Monday Night Football history. After both teams exchanged touchdowns, a 9-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams and a 67-yard bomb from Beathard to Marquise Goodwin who returned to the field after missing the last game and being forced to watch most of this season from the sidelines while battling injuries, the Niners would gift the opposition with yet another generous fumble. One play into their next possession, a 21-yard reception from Beathard to Kyle Juszczyk would go up in flames as the Niners fullback fumbled the ball. The Packers would once again be held to a field goal following the turnover, but it would improve Green Bay's lead to six. But Beathard's second touchdown pass of the half to Goodwin, a 30-yard score coupled with a Robbie Gould field goal, gave San Francisco a 24-20 lead at the half. Holding a four-point lead heading into the third quarter, the Niners still had a long ways to go if they planned on logging their second win of the season, but had shown up to that point that they could pull this thing off if they played clean football the rest of the way.

Following a trio of field goals, San Francisco carried a 30-23 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation. Rodgers would have his team knocking on the door on their first possession of the fourth quarter before Packers head coach Mike McCarthy elected to go for it in the red zone on a 4th & 3 attempt as the Niner defense staved off Green Bay's chance to tie it, forcing a turnover on downs. Looking for another score to put the game out of reach or at the very least milk as much time as possible, Shanahan's offense suffered back to back three and outs and managed to only wipe off 3 minutes and 19 seconds from the clock on two possessions. As for Rodgers, the third time would be a charm as he began carving the Niners secondary like an expert surgeon. A 38-yard pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams would ignite the comeback as the two connected again just three plays later for the game-tying touchdown. Taking over at the two-minute warning, the 49ers were in perfect position to march down the field and at the very least setup Gould for a game-winning field goal once Richie James Jr. returned the ensuing kick to the 32 yard-line and was awarded an extra 15-yards at the Packers were hit with a late-hit. Several plays later, San Francisco found themselves facing a pivotal 3rd & 3, and instead of going for the short gain, Beathard went for the long-ball, taking a shot at the end zone to Goodwin. Only this time Beathard would be picked off as Packers cornerback Kevin King came up with the game-changing interception.

Taking over at their own 10-yard line with 1:07 remaining and no timeouts left, Rodgers went to work and reminded us all of his greatness. But not before catching a break on a key penalty that saved the day. Facing 3rd & 15 and pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Rodgers was sacked by DeForest Buckner for a 4-yard loss, but an illegal-contact call against Richard Sherman would give Green Bay new life with an automatic first down. Using his feet, Rodgers scampered for a 21-yard gain before utilizing the sidelines and connecting on passes of 8, 19 and 19 yards to setup Mason Crosby for the chance to send his team home with a win and redeem himself from missing four field goals and an extra-point that cost his team a win in Detroit the week prior. But thanks to his old buddy Rodgers, the 34-year old kicker who in his 11th season with the Packers, would be asked to make a 27-yard chip-shot to send his team home. And with time expiring, he would do just that as Green Bay pulled off the 33-30 win. Rodgers finished with 425 yards passing compared to Beathard's 245 as both QB's each logged a pair of touchdown passes through the air. Both Devante Adams who caught 10 passes for 132 yards and Marquise Goodwin who tallied 4 receptions for 126 yards, scored the only two touchdown passes thrown by their respective QB's. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert led all rushers with 81-yards on 12 carries, followed by another solid performance by a less than healthy Matt Breida who ran for 61-yards on 14 carries.

Week 7 Preview - For San Francisco and coach Kyle Shanahan, the loss is a tough one to swallow as they've come so close to victory yet again, only to fall in such heart-breaking fashion. But things won't be getting any easier in Week 7 as the Niners return home to face the last remaining unbeaten team in the league in the 6-0 Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco will once again be tabbed as underdogs as they get set to renew rivalries with their division foe while on short rest. If facing the best team in the NFC isn't frightening enough, the Niners will be given the daunting task of having to stop last year's reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Rams running back Todd Gurley who's coming off his first career 200 yard performance on the ground. The match-up against Gurley will be a true test for a Niner defense that has been surprisingly tough against the rush up to this point this season. Rams quarterback Jared Goff will also be a tough assignment as the Bay Area native and Cal alum has been playing great this season under second-year head coach Sean McVay, but is looking to rebound from a so-so performance in Week 6 against Denver. The folks at NBC aren't expecting the Niners to put up much of a fight as the game was flexed from the station's Sunday Night Football slot now that Jimmy Garoppolo won't be under center for San Francisco. Hopefully that'll be added bulletin board material for Shanahan to help rally his team in hopes of pulling off the upset.


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