SANTA CLARA, CA (WTAQ) – The Cinderella slipper didn’t fit after all. The NFL’s youngest team took on the prohibitive NFC favorite at Levi’s Stadium in the rain on Saturday night and gave it a run, but they were unable to hold a 4th quarter lead, giving up the decisive touchdown with just over a minute to play. The San Francisco 49ers ended a remarkable season for the Green Bay Packers 24-21 in the NFC Divisional Round Playoff. It’s the third time in a row the 49ers under Head Coach Kyle Shanahan got the better of his close friend Matt LaFleur in the post-season.
The Green Bay Head Coach couldn’t hide his disappointment and was ready with praise for his young squad for the exciting ride they carried fans on in 2023.
Many games are won by the plays that are made but in losses, it’s often the plays that aren’t made. That certainly was the case as the Packers went toe to toe with the NFC’s top seed on their turf. The Packers won the opening toss and received, just like they did in Detroit on Thanksgiving and in Dallas at last week’s Wild Card game. The offense chewed up 7:38 of the first quarter and put up the first points of the game, although it was just 3 on a 29 yard Anders Carlson field goal. Jordan Love drove Green Bay to the 11 before stalling.
The defense had a real shot to deliver a big play on their opening series. Brock Purdy’s deep shot for Brandon Aiuyk was nearly intercepted by Darnell Savage. He made a perfect break on the ball, had a clear opportunity to deliver his second pick six in as many weeks, he just dropped the ball. A combined sack from Preston Smith and Kenny Clark forced a punt.
Series number reached the San Francisco 14 thanks to a 38 yard catch and run from Romeo Doubs. On third and one, Aaron Jones couldn’t squeeze out a yard and on 4th down, a Love push sneak was measured and came up a link short.
The 49ers got a break when Purdy wasn’t called for grounding after throwing a ball away to no one downfield while very close to, if not still in the pocket. The non-call hurt when Purdy found a target, tight end George Kittle running away from Savage for a 32 yard touchdown with 8:42 left in the second quarter.
Big plays from Doubs and Jayden Reed got the Packers to the Niner 9 but three plays went nowhere and they settled for a second 29 yard kick from the Auburn rookie. The special teams kept it a one point game at intermission as rookie Colby Wooden reached up and got his left hand on Jake Moody’s 48 yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the half.
The game got a bit crazy with off and on drizzle and even steady rain falling throughout. The defense got a quick 3 and out and the Packers got a 41 yard pass interference penalty to reach the red zone for a 4th time. This time, Love got it done, firing to a wide open Bo Melton in the end zone. After Tashaun Gipson Sr., stumbled, Melton took off and pulled in the over the shoulder catch right at the back line for a 19 yard score that gave the Packers 13-7 lead.
It took San Francisco 4 plays to go back on top. They covered the 75 yards thanks to shaky tackling. George Kittle broke loose from Jonathan Owens for 32 yards and on the next snap, Christian McCaffrey found a hole off right guard and made Savage miss which cleared the way for a 39 yard touchdown scamper and a 14-13 San Francisco lead.
The best kickoff returner did his thing next and got some help. Keisean Nixon got loose up the left sideline into 49er territory and when he tried to cut back to his right, the ball was knocked out by Jordan Mason. After rolling forward a few more yards, Eric Wilson pounced on it for the Pack at the San Francisco 20. Nixon was credited with a 73 yard runback.
The Packers cashed in with Love finding another rookie, Tucker Kraft, open in the right flat for a two yard touchdown and the Packers converted the two point conversion with Aaron Jones getting free for a similar catch.
With a 21-14 lead late in the third, the offense would come up empty on their final four possessions. The first ended with Love getting picked for the first time since the New York Giants game in October. A pass for Kraft was high and behind him, Tucker got a hand on it but the tipped was gathered in by Dre Greenlaw. The defense limited the damage to just three as Jake Moody connected from 52 yards.
The next series, now in the 4th quarter was a three and out. Purdy was off target on throws and San Francisco punted with under 10 minutes to go. Starting from their own 10, Jones ripped off the biggest play of the night, taking a toss around left tackle and then hitting a hole for a 53 yard run. It pushed him over 100 yards rushing for the 5th straight game and he became the first back to hit 100+ against the San Francisco defense in a remarkable 51 games. The drive stalled at the 23 however and Carlson came on for a 41 yard field goal attempt. The inconsistent season of the rookie finished that way when his kick veered just left of the upright.
San Francisco was able to drive the 69 yards in 12 plays, the biggest was a diving catch by Aiyuk on third and five with Nixon right on him. McCaffrey finished the march by going over from 6 yards out with just :67 left to go.
The offense was able to pick up one first down and from the 36, Love got flushed to his right and tried to hit Christian Watson downfield requiring an across the body throw. There wasn’t nearly enough on it, late down the middle as they say and Greenlaw was able to run in front of it and then run another 20 seconds of clock off before finally going down.
Purdy took a knee and the the Packers took another punch to the gut.
What is it about season ending interceptions? Brett Favre’s last pass as a Packer was picked in the 2007 NFC Championship game and Aaron Rodgers was intercepted on his last shot in the Lions’ elimination of the Pack in the regular season finale a year ago. Now Love, finishes his first year as the first string QB with a pick. Shouldn’t take anything away from a game where he threw two more TD’s and from a season where he left no doubt the Packers’ future at the quarterback position looks awfully bright. Unfortunately had to explain a couple of turnovers to put a sad cap on the season.
Love finished 21 of 34 for 194 yards with the two scores, two picks, without getting sacked, good for a passer rating of 72.4. Doubs was the top receiver with 4 catches for 83 yards, Reed had 4 for 35.
Jones capped a tough year (hamstring, MCL sprain) with a magnificent effort, going for 108 yards on 18 carries and adding three receptions for 8 more yards.
Purdy’s stat line was 23 of 39 for 252 yards, the 1 touchdown and a rating of 86.7. McCaffrey was the focal point as usual with 17 carries for 98 yards and the two scores along with a team high 7 catches for 30.
Star receiver Deebo Samuel was checked for a concussion and was cleared only to get knocked out of the game later with a shoulder injury.
The Packers lost Zach Tom to a concussion but that appeared to be the only significant injury. Quay Walker left with cramps but returned later.
San Francisco outgained Green Bay 356-330, converting 10 of 16 third down plays. The Packers were 7 of 13 but going 2 for 5 in the red zone proved ominous.
The locker room was obviously somber and quite. Preston Smith addressed the team after LaFleur and talked of understanding as hard as the team worked this year to reach the round of 8, they all understand even more how much harder they’ll have to work to go a step, or two farther.
The 2023 Packers won 10 games, lost 9, hardly Super Bowl worthy at first glance, but how they came together and grew together has set the stage for a future with unlimited promise.
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