49ers vs. Packers Live Blog
SANTA CLARA -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 3 home game against the Green Bay Packers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
3:39 The 49ers reportedly have benched rookie cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, and will start Emmanuel Moseley and Josh Norman at corner. This decision might come as a surprise, because Lenoir has gotten so much positive press the first two weeks of the season, but it shouldn't be a surprise if you've seen the coaches' tape.
Last week, the Eagles receivers burned Lenoir deep repeatedly. Only one long catch was completed against him -- the 91-yarder -- but others were available if the Eagles had a better quarterback.
A quarterback like the one the 49ers will face tonight -- Aaron Rodgers. He surely saw Lenoir give up those deep routes last week and most likely planned to attack him down the field in this game. Now, barring injury to Norman or Moseley, Rodgers won't get the chance.
Lenoir is a solid rookie cornerback who plays with tremendous confidence and aggressive -- he gets right in the wide receiver's face at the snap. He's afraid of no one, and carries himself like he's the best cornerback in the league. Like's Jason Verrett. But he's not Verrett, doesn't have his make-up speed. Which means, until Lenoir improves, he is a big-play waiting to happen for the other team.
The 49ers made the right decision.
3:54 Here are the 49ers' inactives:
1. Cornerback Ambry Thomas.
2. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
3. Running back Elijah Mitchell.
4. Guard Aaron Banks.
This means that the active running backs are Trey Sermon, Kerryon Johnson, Trenton Cannon and Jacquez Patrick.
4:05 Packers cornerback Kevin King is out tonight with an illness.
5:20 The 49ers win the toss and defer. The Packers will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
5:28 On 3rd and 4 from the Packers 31, DeMeco Ryans calls Cover 1 with no blitz -- that's a single-high safety -- and Aaron Rodgers makes him pay with a 42-yard deep throw to wide receiver Allen Lazard, who beat K'Waun Williams. Bad coverage call by DeMeco Ryans in that situation. He should play split safeties and force Rodgers to throw short. After the play, the Packers make a series of mistakes and go backward, fortunately for the 49ers. The Packers kick a field goal and let the 49ers off the hook.
Packers 3, 49ers 0.
5:35 On 3rd and 6 from the 49ers 41, Jimmy Garoppolo throws in an incomplete pass to Mohamed Sanu. Next play, Mitch Wishnowsky punts the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
5:45 On 1st and goal from the 1, Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown pass to Davante Adams, who beats Josh Norman. Earlier in the drive, Rodgers completed a 47-yard pass to Marques Valdez-Scantling, who ran right by Jaquiski Tartt. This 49ers secondary gives up huge plays.
Packers 10, 49ers 0.
5:48 On 3rd and 1, Garoppolo throws a pass right to Packers linebacker DeVondre Campbell, who drops the pick. Horrible footwork by Garoppolo on that throw. He stepped to his left and threw high and to his right. This game could get out of hand quickly. The 49ers currently have no offense.
5:59 On 3rd and 8 from the Packers 43, Arik Armstead sacks Rodgers for a loss of 9, and the Packers punt. The 49ers take over at their 14.
6:01 On the first play of the drive, Jimmy Garoppolo overthrows George Kittle deep and gets intercepted by Jaire Alexander. That's why Kyle Shanahan typically doesn't let Garoppolo throw deep.
6:07 On fourth and goal from the 49ers 3, Rodgers throws incomplete and the Packers turn the ball over on downs. Big break for Santa Clara.
6:22 On 4th and 1 from the Packers 49, Sermon runs up the middle and gains no yards. SO far, he has negative 1 yards on 3 carries and a drop. Impressive. The 49ers punt. They need to play Trey Lance.
6:34 Josh Norman has a chest injury and is questionable to return. K'Waun Williams has a calf injury and also is questionable.
6:36 On 2nd and goal from the 3, Aaron Jones prances into the end zone untouched and scores. The 49ers still haven't shown up to their home opener. Somone text them.
Packers 17, 49ers 0.
6:40 Trenton Cannon returns the kickoff 68 yards to the Packers 32.
6:51 On 3rd and goal from the 1, Trey Lance enters the game and runs around the left end for an easy touchdown. He should start the second half. Enough messing around.
49ers 7, Packers 17.
THIRD QUARTER
7:14 On 3rd and goal from the 7, Garoppolo throws a touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk. Two clutch drives in a row for the 49ers. The Packers haven't had the ball for a while.
49ers 14, Packers 17.
7:19 On 3rd and 2 from the Packers 31, Davante Adams drops a pass, and the Packers go three and out. The 49ers have all the momentum.
7:20 Brandon Aiyuk returns the punt 9 yards. That's almost a first down. Smart to let him play special teams.
7:24 On 3rd and 3 from the 49ers 35, Garoppolo gets hit by Preston Smith, who was unblocked. Garoppolo's pass sails incomplete, and the 49ers go 3 and out. The Packers take over at their 14.
FOURTH QUARTER
7:38 On 3rd and 4 from the 49ers' 12, Rodgers throws a perfect pass to Marques Valdez-Scantling. That drive was made possible by a 24-yard pass interference penalty by Fred Warner. The 49ers have committed 81 yards worth of pass interference penalties. That's a full drive.
49ers 14, Packers 24.
7:54 On 1st and goal from the 1, Trey Sermon dives into the end zone for the touchdown. This drive was made possible by a 35-yard pass interference penalty against Brandon Aiyuk on 3rd and 14. Huge break for the 49ers.
49ers 21, Packers 24.
8:04 On 3rd and 10 from the Packers 25, Rodgers overthrows an open Adams down the right sideline, and the Packers go three and out. Then Brandon Aiyuk returns the punt 14 yards. Fabulous return.
8:11 Jimmy Garoppolo fumbles and the Packers recover at the San Francisco 38. That's a game loser, most likely.
8:15 On 3rd and 4 from the 49ers 20, Emmanuel Moseley breaks up a pass for Adams in the end zone, and the Packers kick a 38-yard field goal. There is 2:39 left, and the 49ers have all three of their timeouts. Garoppolo has a chance to atone for his sin.
49ers 21, Packers 27.
8:25 On 1st and 10 from the 12, Garoppolo throws a touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk. What a clutch drive. There are 37 seconds left and the Packers have no timeouts.
49ers 28, Packers 27.
8:31 The Packers make a 51-yard field goal to win the game. The 49ers left Rodgers too much time, and that's what happens. Stay tuned for grades.
49ers 28, Packers 30.
