Packers Beat 49ers' B-Team on Thursday Night

Week 9 - Meeting for the first time since a blowout victory in the NFC Championship that punched a ticket to the Super Bowl for the San Francisco 49ers (4-4), the Green Bay Packers (5-2) would stroll into the Bay Area seeking revenge after being embarrassed not once, but twice a season ago. But any hopes of a slugfest would be shutdown rather quickly for one team. Having been ravaged by injuries all season long, a new enemy would emerge and make its presence felt on the 49ers roster, or at least the threat of it. Entering Thursday night's game with 13 players on Injured Reserve -- tied for the most in the NFL, the Niners would be dealt yet another blow after receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for COVID-19. With teammates Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams all considered, "high-risk close contacts," all four players would be ruled out of Thursday's game on Wednesday. But after a pair of subsequent negative Covid tests submitted by Bourne, including one several hours before kickoff, the initial positive test would be deemed a false positive. Unfortunately for the home team, the damage was already done as those players would still be placed on the NFL's Reserve/COVID-19 list and ruled out by the league, leaving 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan with even less to work with against one of the top teams in the NFC. To say the 49ers would be undermanned in their Thursday night affair would be an understatement. But as the saying goes: the show must go on. 

In what would be the 70th match-up all-time between the two historic franchises, backup QB Nick Mullens would make his third start of the season in place of the ailing Jimmy Garoppolo who re-injured his high-ankle sprain in last week's loss to Seattle. Even with the countless holes on offense, the 49ers would still have a sliver of hope before kickoff as Mullens' only other start on Thursday Night Football came during Week 9 of the 2018 season when he made his NFL debut and threw a career-high three touchdown passes in a blowout win against the Raiders. The main difference in this one, however, would be a guy named Aaron Rodgers. After being stymied and constantly pressured by the 49er defense in both games last season, the ghostly defense of San Francisco's past would like nothing like the team Rodgers faced on Thursday and he admitted it in his postgame interview. But that wouldn't stop him from turning up the heat and taking advantage of the situation. While the game would remain competitive until the final minutes of the second quarter, Green Bay took an early 7-0 lead after their first possession and never looked back. 

Needing only six plays to march 75-yards, Rodgers struck first by connecting with his Pro-Bowl receiver Davante Adams for a 36-yard touchdown. It would be the start of a big night from both players as they each registered impressive numbers in the box score. Biting into Green Bay's lead with a Robbie Gould field goal on San Francisco's second possession to make it a 7-3 ballgame, it would be the closest the Niners would get after kickoff. San Francisco nearly tied the game on a touchdown reception by the recently promoted River Cracraft who came down with a catch in the end zone from 4-yards out that was initially ruled a touchdown, but was eventually overturned after review showed he failed to maintain complete control of the ball when falling to the ground, forcing Shanahan to settle for a field goal. The absence of Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams would be felt virtually all night long on the 49ers offensive-line as Justin Skule had a tough time trying to fill in for the sidelined Williams, but especially on a pair of plays that resulted in a Nick Mullens interception in the second quarter and on a sack-fumble in the third, both of which leading to scoring drives for the Packers. By halftime, Rodgers had tossed a trio of touchdown passes as Green Bay took a 21-3 lead into the locker room. 

With the Green Bay lead increasing to 34-3 at one point, the 49ers were able to fend off a complete massacre on the scoreboard as they pieced together a pair of touchdown scoring drives in the fourth quarter to make it a 34-17 final score. The first of which would come on a 41-yard touchdown pass to receiver Richie James Jr. who served as one of the lone bright spots on what was a dismal night for San Francisco after hauling in career-highs with nine receptions for 184-yards and a touchdown. Running back Jerick McKinnon would supply the only other score as he struck pay dirt from a yard out in the game's final seconds. Both Rodgers and Adams would tally impressive numbers for Green Bay's offense as the Packers QB threw for 305 yards, four touchdowns and no picks, one of those touchdowns and 173 yards going to Adams who hauled in a game-high 10 receptions. In comparison, Nick Mullens threw for 291 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Turning back the clock, the 34-points scored by the Packers were the most they put up on the road against San Francisco since December 13, 1959. 

Week 10 Preview - The 49ers' schedule will not get any easier in Week 10 when they make a trip to the Big Easy to face Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints (6-2) who are coming off an impressive blowout win against Tom Brady and the Bucs, 38-3. Following one of the best regular season games of the year a season ago when the 49ers left the bayou with a thrilling 48-46 victory that went back and forth in Week 14, it's unlikely we'll see anything remotely close to that shootout with all of San Francisco's missing pieces. With 13 players on IR, 45 different starters and 71 players used -- all the most in the NFL this year, coach Shanahan will do his best to try and piece together a team that can hopefully compete much better than they did against Green Bay. The Niners might also see the recently traded Kwon Alexander on opposite ends next week as he recovers from a high ankle sprain that has caused him to miss an extensive period of time. Another familiar face on opposite ends and one that helped play a key role in San Francisco's wild win against the Saints last season, is receiver Emmanuel Sanders who missed the last two weeks after being placed on the NFL's Reserve/Covid list. Two players the Niners are hopeful of getting back to assist their offense and their chances of pulling off the upset against the Saints are running back Raheem Mostert and receiver Deebo Samuel as the two have been dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively. 

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Defense backs 49ers in Opening Win in Tampa

Week 1 - Football season is officially upon us. And one team that was expected to make vast improvements a season ago before having their new franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo stripped from them some three weeks into the league year due to a knee injury, were the San Francisco 49ers. But the injuries didn't start or end with Jimmy G as the 49ers were ravaged by the injury bug which saw 13 players land on the injured reserve list including running back Jerick McKinnon who signed a big deal at the beginning of last season and has yet to play a single snap with his new team. Heading into the 2019-20 NFL season, the 49ers hope to have much better fortune on their side as it'll likely be needed in the competitive NFC Western division.

A season after forcing the fewest takeaways in NFL history with seven, the 49ers brain trust of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan made bolstering the defense a point of emphasis in both free-agency and the trade market, as well as in the draft. And with only two interceptions to their name in all of 2018-19, it would only take one week for the newly revamped 49er defense to surpass that mark to begin the new season. Opening the year on the road and facing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that welcomed a new head coach in Bruce Arians whom the Niners are quite familiar with dating back to his days with the division rival Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17, San Francisco would look to avenge a 29-7 Week 12 loss suffered in Tampa Bay a season ago. And with the way the game started, the 49ers had to have likened their chances early on. With the game time temperature in the 90's and the humidity a factor, coach Shanahan had his guys well prepared as his team worked out during the week in a sauna tent to simulate the sticky conditions.

Unfazed on defense, the 49ers forced a three and out on Tampa's opening possession and helped Jimmy G and company set up shop with prime field position thanks to a big play on special-teams by Mark Nzeocha who blocked a punt by ex-49er Bradley Pinion. Taking over at the Tampa Bay 33-yard line, the 49er offense would begin to march before having a George Kittle touchdown wiped off the board due to a penalty. It would be one of two San Francisco touchdowns nullified in the first half and three in total. Settling for a Robbie Gould field goal, the 49ers would take a 3-0 lead. The Bucs would also have a pair of touchdowns called back in the first half, both on a drive that ended with a fumble inside the red zone as 49ers linebacker Fred Warner punched the ball loose from the hands of tight-end O.J. Howard. The first forced turnover would be a sigh of relief as the San Francisco defense was dealt a blow a few plays earlier when the newly acquired Kwon Alexander was ejected from the game after being penalized for an illegal hit on Tampa quarterback Jameis Winston. As fired up as anyone after signing a new four-year, $54 Million contract and facing his former team, Alexander appeared to be poised for a big game after tallying three tackles and nearly coming up with an interception in the opening quarter before his departure.

Pinned deep near their own end zone, Garoppolo would make a mistake of his own when he threw a pass near the sideline intended for the running back Tevin Coleman who was lined up outside and beaten on the play that Vernon Hargreaves II took to the house for an easy pick-six. After cutting into the deficit with another Gould field goal, San Francisco found themselves a golden opportunity to take a lead when Mark Nzeocha added an interception to his already stellar afternoon resume. But the ensuing possession which saw the 49ers reach field goal range with under a minute remaining in the first half, ended as rookie receiver Deebo Samuel fumbled the ball after running into his own teammate which jarred the ball loose. Thankfully, whatever Shanahan said to his team in the locker room at the half, helped awaken the offense as Garoppolo found a streaking Richie James Jr. who freed himself for a 39-yard touchdown reception to give his team a 13-7 lead. Inspired by their first touchdown of the season, the 49er defense would get in on the fun as Richard Sherman made a house-call two plays into the Bucs' ensuing possession as he intercepted a pass from Winston and returned it for a touchdown. His first interception as a member of Niners would be a memorable one as it was also the fourth touchdown of his career.

Tampa would answer with a touchdown of their own the very next drive as Winston capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin. Looking to make it a two-possession game again, Robbie Gould who missed only one field goal all of last season, attempted a 57-yarder that doinked off the middle crossbar and bounced out. Living dangerously, Bucs coach Bruce Arians would make a gamble of his own after his team took over near midfield before marching in the red zone as he elected to go for it on a 4th & goal from the 2-yard line. Bending but not breaking, the 49ers got the much needed goal-line stop as second-year cornerback Tarvarius Moore jumped out in front of a pass intended for Godwin to force the turnover on downs. After exchanging field goals, the 49er defense came through one final time to put the icing on the cake and seal the win with a pick-six interception by Ahkello Witherspoon as Bosa applied the pressure on the quarterback that led to the errant throw, their second pick-six and third interception on the afternoon as San Francisco made out with the 31-17 win. While the offense wasn't very impressive in their first bit of action, the defense was every bit as good as projected as Tampa Bay was out-sacked three to one, including sacks from newcomers Dee Ford and rookie Nick Bosa.

In his first regular season game since the knee injury suffered at Kansas City in Week 3 last year, Garoppolo completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 166 yards and a touchdown to go along with the interception. The ever so reliable George Kittle led both teams with eight receptions for 54-yards receiving and Raheem Mostert who split the carries with Matt Breida following an injury to Tevin Coleman, led the 49ers in rushing with 40 yards on nine carries. As for the defense, Winston was held to 194 yards passing on 20 of 36 attempts. In a game plagued by 19 penalties in all, 11 by San Francisco, the 49ers prevailed to win their first road game since December 31, 2017, snapping an 8-game road losing streak.

Week 2 - Continuing their season on the road in Week 2, the 49ers will head north to face the (0-1) Cincinnati Bengals who are coming off a 1-point loss to the Seahawks in Seattle. With Cincy nearly pulling off the upset win in Week 1, the 49ers will look to contain quarterback Andy Dalton who displayed an aerial assault of 418 yards passing and two touchdowns. A pair of players who will likely be sidelined for the meeting are the starting running backs as both Joe Mixon of the Bengals and Tevin Coleman of the Niners saw limited action in Week 1 after suffering ankle injuries. While coach Shanahan has already ruled Coleman out for Week 2 with a high-ankle sprain and called his running back, "week to week," the Bengals have not yet decided on Mixon's status as he'll likely be a game-time decision. Even with Coleman ruled out, I'd expect a much stronger performance from the Niners run attack in Week 2 than the one we saw in Tampa with Matt Breida carrying a bulk of the load.


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49ers Win in OT to Overcome Rival Seattle

Week 15 - Entering Sunday's game between the (3-10) San Francisco 49ers and (8-5) Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers had dropped ten straight games to Pete Carroll and their NFC West rival, including playoffs. And after being embarrassed by a final of 43-16 just two weeks earlier in the pacific northwest, the 49ers would have a chance at redemption while also looking to put a dent in the playoff hopes of a Seattle team that had plans of celebrating a Wild Card berth on enemy territory. Something Niners cornerback Richard Sherman would take great pride in against his former team after a war of words ensued in the days leading up to the game between Sherman and current Seahawk defensive-end Frank Clark.

After forcing a three and out on San Francisco's opening possession, Seattle would strike first with one of two touchdown connections thru the air from Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin. But a missed extra-point by kicker Sebastian Janikowski would leave the door open and allow the 49ers to jump ahead as rookie return man Richie James Jr. returned the ensuing kick 97-yards for a touchdown. Robbie Gould would add the point-after to follow up the Niners' first kick returned for a touchdown since 2011 when Ted Ginn Jr. took a 102-yarder to the house against Seattle. Rookie running back Jeff Wilson Jr. who rushed for a career-high 90-yards in the win against Denver a week ago, would register another strong 46-yards on just seven carries, but would suffer his second fumble in as many games against Seattle in the first quarter. Determined to put the mistake behind them, San Francisco's next drive would be their longest of the season as quarterback Nick Mullens and company marched 96-yards to pay dirt which would be capped off by a 41-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Celek. However, the 14-6 lead would be short-lived as Doug Baldwin beat former teammate Richard Sherman to find the end zone for a second time to cut the lead to one before a Robbie Gould field goal made it a 17-13 49er lead at the half.

Following another Gould field goal in the third quarter, Seattle running back Chris Carson who was quiet in the early part of the game as Seattle was held to a season-low 31 rushing yards in the first quarter, had a busy rest of the day for the Seahawks' stout rushing attack as he powered his way into the end zone on a 4th & goal attempt from the 1-yard line to tie the game at 20-all. Both teams would exchange field goals in the fourth quarter before heading to their first overtime period of the season. With Seattle winning the coin toss in OT and electing to receive, the 49er defense held its ground and forced a three and out to give the offense a shot at winning the game. Aided by a 15-yard pass-interference penalty, one of a season-high 14 fouls committed by Seattle on Sunday and some nifty running by the tandem of Wilson Jr. and Matt Breida, the 49ers put themselves in prime position to allow Robbie Gould to be the hero. Setting up for a 36-yard field goal, Gould would answer the call and deliver the heroics by splitting the uprights for his 15th career game-winning kick and denying Seattle's attempt at clinching a Wild Card berth.

San Francisco's 26-23 victory would be their first over Seattle since December 8, 2013 when Jim Harbaugh was still coaching the team. Seattle's win in the NFC Championship just over a month later, would be the first of ten straight wins for Pete Carroll's Seahawks team against the 49ers. Since San Francisco's last win over Seattle, the 49ers have undergone three head coaching changes, have started six different starting quarterbacks, and have only two players remaining on their 2013 roster in Joe Staley and Garrett Celek. Though it would take them until Week's 14 and 15, the 49ers have finally strung together their first winning streak of the season, not to mention against two teams vying for a playoff spot while playing the role of spoiler. Throwing for 275 yards and a touchdown, QB Nick Mullens out-dueled Russell Wilson who finished with 237 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns as Seattle's franchise quarterback remains one win away from becoming the first QB in NFL history to have a winning record in his first seven seasons. Looking to rebound from the upset loss, Wilson and company will need to bounce back down the stretch if they plan to fend off other Wild Card hopefuls such as the Vikings, Eagles, Redskins and Panthers.

Week 16 Preview - With back to back victories under their belt for the first time this season, the 49ers who have pushed their way out of position to land the first overall pick in next year's Draft, will once again have their hands full when they host arguably the NFC's biggest surprise team this year in the (10-4) Chicago Bears. Playing stellar football under first-year head coach Matt Nagy and a stout defense under former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Bears have already won more games this season than they have over the last two years combined and are coming off a similar victory to San Francisco's as they managed to beat the hated rival Green Bay Packers who had won nine of the last ten meetings between the two teams prior to Sunday. Chicago's 24-17 victory at Soldier Field clinched their first playoff berth since 2010 as second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky looks to keep their winning streak alive in Week 16 against the 49ers. But with the 49ers looking to keep their own streak alive, coach Kyle Shanahan who has coached his team to a 7-1 record in December games since 2017, will likely throw everything but the kitchen sink at Chicago offensively to keep his guys motivated and continue their winning ways in the final calendar month of the season.


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