49ers @ Packers Divisional Playoff Live Blog
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GREEN BAY -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
12:50: Here are the 49ers inactives --
CB Ambry Thomas
RB Trey Sermon
DB Jarrod Wilson
LB Marcell Harris
CB Deommodore Lenoir
OL Jaylon Moore
DT Maurice Hurst
The big shocker here is Thomas, who was listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his knee. Practically every player the 49ers have listed as questionable this season has played, so most people expected Thomas to suit up. Now, the 49ers will have to start either Josh Norman or Dontae Johnson -- not a good choice. I would go with Johnson. Norman was been awful the past couple months and gave up a catch on a fake punt just last week.
Expect Aaron Rodgers to focus his attack on Norman or Johnson -- whichever cornerback starts. Which means one of those two players will have to hold his own against All Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
The good news for the 49ers is that Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari is inactive, and Rodgers struggles big time when he's under pressure. The 49ers didn't generate much pressure against him Week 3, and the Packers scored 30 points and won. If the 49ers can pressure Rodgers in this game, it won't matter that Thomas is out, because Rodgers won't have time in the pocket to throw the ball down the field.
5:14 The 49ers win the toss and defer. The Packers will get the ball first.
FIRST QUARTER
5:17 Dontae Johnson is the 49ers starting cornerback.
5:23 On 2nd and 5 from the 49ers 6, A.J. Dillon powers straight ahead into the end zone. Easy touchdown drive for the Packers, who never faced a third down. Davante Adams caught three passes for 35 yards. He beat Dontae Johnson twice and K'Waun Williams once.
49ers 0, Packers 7.
5:30 Elijah Mitchell runs for 1 yard on first down, Deebo Samuel runs for 2 yards on second down and Laken Tomlinson gives up a zack to Zadarius Smith on third down. Pretty much the worst start imaginable. The 49ers wasted a 32-yard kick return by JaMycal Hasty. The Packers take over at their 25 after the punt.
5:36 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 42, Rodgers complets a pass in the flat to tight end Marcedes Lewis, who gets hit by Fred Warner, fumbles and Dre Greenlaw recovers at the 49ers 42. The 49ers looked asleep before that play. Now they're in the game.
5:40 On 2nd and 5 from the 49ers 47, Brandon Aiyuk catches a pass over the middle, fumbles, the Packers recover and return ito to the 49ers 40. This play is under review. The previous play, Deebo Samuel fumbled and the Packers recovered, the officials ruled his forward progress had been stopped.
5:44 The officials change their ruling and call it an incomplete pass. Aiyuk took just one step before fumbling.
5:45 On 3rd and 5 from the 49ers 47, Garoppolo stands there like a statue as Rashan Gary blows past Tom Compton and records the Packers' second sack of the game. They take over at their 16 after the punt.
5:48 On 3rd and 5 from the Packers 20, Rodgers scrambles to his right and throws a deep incomplete pass intended for his fullback, and the Packers go three and out. The 49ers take over at their 38 with 1:16 left in the first quarter.
5:54 On 2nd and 12 from the 49ers 36, George Kittle drops a pass over the middle that likely would have gone for a touchdown. Next play, Jauan Jennings drops a potential first down catch, and the 49ers go three and out. The Packers take over at their 17.
SECOND QUARTER
6:00 On 3rd and 8 from the Packers 19, Samson Ebukam beats the Packers third-string left tackle and tackle Rodgers, and the Packers go three and out. The 49ers get the ball at their 34 after the punt. The defense has played excellently the past two drives. Now it's time for the offense to do something.
6:05 On 3rd and 8 from the 49ers 36, Garoppolo freezes as Compton gives up his second sack, and the 49ers go three and out. The Packers take over at their 25 after the punt.
6:14 On 3rd and 11 from the Packers 37, the 49ers double cover Davante Adams, so Rodgers checks down to Aaron Jones, who gets tackled by Jimmie Ward after a gain of 9. The 49ers take over at their 23 after the punt.
6:30 On 1st and goal from the 9, Trent Williams commits a holding penalty. Then on 1set and goal from the 19, Garoppolo escapes a sack, runs to his right and gets intercepted. The Packers take over at their 4.
6:35 On 3rd and 3 from the Packers 11, Dontae Johnson stops covering Aaron Jones as he runs up the sideline and gives up a 75-yard catch. Next play, Nick Bosa strips the ball from Rodgers, but the Packers recover, then spike the ball.
6:36 Jimmie Ward blocks the freaking field goal. I interviewed that guy this offseason. The 49ers go into halftime down by seven.
6:40 Elijah Mitchell is averaging 3 yards per carry. Deebo Samuel is averaging 3.3 yards per carry. The Packers are selling out to stop the 49ers run game and succeeding. The 49ers have to make them pay with quick passes and play action.
THIRD QUARTER
6:59 On 2nd and 5 from the Packers 12, Elijah Mitchell commits a facemask penalty while rushing for six yards. This eventually sets up 3rd and 16. Garoppolo completes a short pass to Deebo Samuel, who gains 12 yards and gets injured. He walks off the field slowly.
7:01 Robbie Gould makes a 29-yard field goal.
49ers 3, Packers 7.
7:05 On 3rd and 10 from the Packers 32, Rodgers completes a check down pass to Jones, who gains just 6. Good tackle by Dre Greenlaw and Arik Armstead. The Packers go 3 and out. The 49ers take over at their 28 after the punt.
7:06 Samuel is back.
7:10 On first and 10 from the 28, Shanahan calls a play-action pass, and Garoppolo almost gets intercepted throwing a check down pass. No reason to pass, considering the run game is beginning to work.
7:11 After a five-yard gain by Mitchell on 2nd and 10, Garoppolo freezes and gets sacked on 3rd and 5, and the 49ers go 3 and out. The Packers take over at their 28 after a fair catch.
FOURTH QUARTER
7:29 On 3rd and goal from the 8, Arik Armstead sacks Rodgers for a 7-yard loss. Then Mason Crosby makes a 33-yard field goal. It's still a one score game. Armstead's sack saved the 49ers.
49ers 3, Packers 10.
7:40 On 4th and 1 from the Packers 19, Garoppolo hands off to Mitchell, who gets hit in the backfield and loses two yards. The 49ers turn it over on downs. The Packers get the ball at their 21 with 6:10 left.
7:44 That was the same exact formation and motion that the Niners ran earlier in the game. Trent Williams declared eligible and went in motion again, and everybody in the stadium knew he would lead you to the ball with only 1 yard to go. Terrible play call.
7:48 On 3rd and 8 from the Packers 23, Jordan Willis blocks the punt, Talanoa Hufanga recovers and scores a touchdown to tie the game at 10. I did not expect the 49ers special teams to save their season, but here we are.
49ers 10, Packers 10.
7:54 On 3rd and 11 from the Packers 28, Rodgers throws an incomplete deep pass intended for Adams, who's double covered, and the Packers go three and out again. The 49ers take over at their 29 with 3:20 and three timeouts left.
8:07 On the final play of regulation, Robbie gould makes a 45-yard field goal and the 49ers win 13-10. Stay tuned for their grades.
