Packers @ 49ers Recap - Offense Non-existent

It’s only the preseason.

It’s a phrase Packers fans will need to utter for at least the next week in order to circumvent the reality of how the Packers have played thus far.

Thankfully, it truly is the pre-season, and just as Aaron Rodgers’ candidacy for the Hall of Fame cannot rest solely on his performance against the Bengals, his candidacy for second string cannot rest solely on his performance Saturday night, a game which the Packers lost 34-6 to the San Francisco 49ers.

To his credit, Rodgers was again solid, finishing 9 for 16 without an interception. A dropped touchdown pass could have bumped his completion percentage up to 62.5% and would have given the Packers a 7-0 lead at the time. However, that touchdown would not have negated the fact that the first team offense was not able to move the ball. In fact, the only time the first team offense was even in 49er territory was after Charles Woodson picked off a J.T. O’Sullivan pass inside the San Francisco 20 yard line near the end of the first quarter.

Additionally, Rodgers had some mental breakdowns in his performance. On more than one occasion he spent too much time trying to scramble out of a collapsing pocket when he should have thrown the ball away. With two rookie quarterbacks behind him on the bench it is especially important for him to stay upright whenever possible.

Rodgers also made a mistake late in the first half, scrambling to the sidelines on a 3rd and four, running out of bounds just before the first down marker. Coach Mike McCarthy immediately approached his quarterback following the play seeking an answer to a question many of Packers fans probably had at that point: Why did you not dive for the first down? Still, it’s a mistake better-suited for August than January.

Flynn and Brohm did not fair much better, combining for 9 completions on 15 passes for a total of 66 yards, along with one fumble a piece. Kregg Lumpkin led the Packers in rushing with 51 yards on ten carries. Vernand Morency's only catch on a 20-yard gain was enough to lead the Packers in receiving.


Report Card:

Offense: F – Offensive line play was weak. Quarterback play was weak. Skill position productivity was weak. The offense had three turnovers on fumbles. In the words of Mike McCarthy, “I’m not pleased with it at all.”

Defense: B – After allowing San Francisco to approach the Green Bay 30 yard line on the opening drive, the defense was fairly solid in the first quarter. The second quarter exposed some weakness in the depth of the Packers secondary with some long pass plays, including passes of 22, 27 and 59 yards. In the second half, the 49ers only offensive touchdown came after a Packers’ turnover gave San Francisco the ball on the Packers 16 yard line.

Special teams: B+ - Jordy Nelson was superb on two kick returns. Mason Crosby was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder. Crosby also kept Allen Rossum in check with touchbacks on two of three kickoffs. The punt coverage was solid for most of the night but allowed Rossum to squeak through for a late touchdown.