The Packers did what they needed to against a severely undermanned 49ers team on Thursday night, beating San Francisco 34-17 at Levi’s Stadium.
With the win, Green Bay improved to 6-2 and remained in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. San Francisco fell to 4-5.
The Packers had a handful of players drop out with injuries but the 49ers were still the more banged-up unit, looking nothing like the team that won the NFC Championship last January. The score was 34-3 before San Francisco scored two late touchdowns.
QB Aaron Rodgers was both explosive and efficient, completing 25-of-31 passes for 305 yards with four touchdowns for a 147.2 passer rating.
WR Davante Adams had another huge game with 10 catches for 173 yards and a TD, while WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling overcame an early drop to contribute two touchdowns on passes of 1 and 52 yards. It was Valdes-Scantling’s first career two-TD game.
RB Aaron Jones, returning from a calf injury after missing the last two games, rushed 15 times for 58 yards and added five receptions for 21 yards. RB Tyler Ervin added 72 yards from scrimmage (24 rushing, 48 receiving).
Green Bay’s defense gave up a few big plays to WR Richie James, but the game was never really in doubt. James caught nine passes for 184 yards and a TD, but the Packers also forced two turnovers and got a turnover on downs with a fourth-and-short stop near the goal line.
A hit from LB Preston Smith led to an interception by S Raven Greene on a flutterball, and LB Za’Darius Smith later had a strip-sack for a second turnover. Both takeaways led to scores for the Packers.
Niners backup QB Nick Mullens was 22-of-35 for 291 yards with one TD and one INT for an 86.7 rating. RB Jerick McKinnon had 12 carries for 52 yards and a score with four seconds left in the game.
Here’s a recap of all the action:
