The Green Bay Packers were upset by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the 2012-13 NFL season
on September 9, 2012. The 49ers won 30-22. The 49ers used a balanced
offensive attack and a suffocating defense to overwhelm the Packers at
Lambeau Field.
Here were some observations from that contest.
Defense: Pass Rush
The most-encouraging sign from this game was that Clay Matthews had
2.5 sacks. Charles Woodson added another 1.5 sacks. Alex Smith had to
scramble away from a couple sacks.
Defense: Conservativeness
The Packers' defensive backfield was a mess. There was so much
miscommunication. How is Randy Moss uncovered in the red zone?
Throughout the first half, the defensive backs were far too
conservative. The 49ers were dink-and-dunking their way with no
challenge whatsoever. The 49ers also had 186 rushing yards.
Offense: Run Game
Cedric Benson had nine rushes for 18 yards. The Packers were unable to
create running lanes against the NFL's best run-defense in 2011.
Offense: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
completed 30-of-44 passes for 303 yards with two touchdowns and one
interception. Rodgers got away with some bad decisions. Receivers
continue to drop passes (looks at Jermichael Finley). Randall Cobb had
nine receptions for 77 yards. He also had a 75-yard punt return for a
touchdown (that should've been called back).
Coaching
The Packers should've gone into the locker room with a 13-7 halftime
deficit. However, Mike McCarthy was aggressive against a stout 49ers'
defense. The 49ers eventually got the football back with enough time to
get David Akers in range for a 63-yard field goal. The 49ers would take a
16-7 lead.
This clock mismanagement was one of the instances where the Packers were out-coached by the 49ers.
Officiating
That was the most-poorly officiated football game that I've ever witnessed. Correction: it was the most-poorly officiated sports
game that I've ever witnessed (boxing excluded). The only positive
thing about the officiating was that it was horrendous for both teams. A
double negative equals a positive?
With that said, the majority of bogus penalties went against the 49ers.
The missed block in the back by Terrell Manning (#56) was a momentum
changer. Without Cobb's punt return, the 49ers might have blown this
game wide open.
Here's an irony: immediately after this game was finished, FOX zoomed into the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals contest. Due to an officiating error, the Seahawks were rewarded a fourth timeout. The Cardinals held on to win.
Summary
The 49ers are the better team. A football team just beat a gimmicky
team. Jim Harbaugh and Vic Fangio out-coached Mike McCarthy and Dom
Capers. I'm amazed when I see the 49ers' defense swarm to the football.
As a fan of defensive-minded football, they're a pleasure to watch.
For the Packers, they won't have to deal with the media attention from
"16-0." The defensive backfield is a work-in-progress. It was
frustrating to see them play so far off the receivers. I was encouraged
with the pass rush. Then again, the 49ers' offensive line is suspect in
pass protection.
It's Week 1. I'm not too concerned with it. The Week 2 game is
much-more important because it's a divisional opponent. That's a
must-win game. The defensive backs must tighten up their coverage. Dom
Capers needs to get this straightened out.
Run Offense: F
Pass Offense: C
Run Defense: D
Pass Defense: F
Officiating: YF (You're Fired)
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/green-bay-packers-upset-san-francisco-49ers-30-013100642--nfl.html
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