SANTA CLARA, California – Aaron Rodgers took advantage of the understaffed San Francisco 49ers instead of sympathizing with the team that dominated its Green Bay Packers twice last season.
Rodgers threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and the Packers overwhelmed the exhausted 49ers 34-17 on Thursday night.
“They’re definitely a different team on paper,” Rodgers said. “They seriously injured some really important players, but nobody in this league feels sorry for anyone.” That’s how it goes. Nobody is sorry. We are dealing with injuries. “
Rodgers combined with in deep shots Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantlingand a short throw too Marcedes Lewis in the first half to bring the Packers (6-2) to a 21-3 lead over the Niners (4-5).
It was quite a reverse of last season’s two encounters with San Francisco beating Green Bay 50-0 in the first half en route to one-sided wins in the regular season and the NFC title game.
The rematch didn’t look like these games in part, as the Niners were missing almost all key pieces from the game due to injuries and a positive coronavirus test for the recipient Kendrick Bourne That also pulled three of his teammates out of circulation because of “high risk” contacts.
That left San Francisco without a quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Ankle), all-pro tight end George Kittle (Foot), NFC title game star runs back Raheem Mostert (Ankle), recipient Deebo Samuel (Hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (COVID-19 list), left device Trent Williams (COVID-19 list) and key defenders Nick Bosa (Knee), Dee Ford (back and Richard Sherman (Calf).
“We knew it was going to be a challenge,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. “We knew at the beginning of the week that it would be a challenge. Losing these three guys yesterday would be more of a challenge. I still thought we could have a game. … I know we could have done better. “
Rodgers and the Packers, missing three players on the COVID-19 list, took the opportunity.
Rodgers finished the inaugural drive with a 36-yard shot at Adams, who scored an acrobatic hit Emmanuel Moseley in the end zone for his league-leading eighth TD reception of the season.
Nick Mullens had an obvious TD litter too River Cracraft wiped out on rerun for San Francisco and then thrown an interception Raven Greene go to the left after the backup Justin Skule was hit for a print of Preston Smith.
That mistake resulted in Rodger’s 1-yard throw against Lewis and the Packers took control when Valdes-Scantling stepped behind the defense towards the end of the first half for the 52-yard catch.
“I know they were missing some creatures on either side of the ball, but that’s one of the better defenses we’ve played despite missing some of these guys,” said Packers manager Matt LaFleur. “It’s always difficult to take action against Kyle and this staff on the offensive.”
Rodgers added a second TD pass to Valdes-Scantling and the router was on.
Adams ended up with 10 catches for 173 yards, making it the first Packers player to have three 150-yard games since Donald Driver in 2006.
“We’re definitely in a groove right now,” said Adams. “I don’t have much to say, I don’t want to sound conceited or nothing, sounds bad, but obviously when you start getting into a rhythm it becomes a lot easier. “
FAST STARTER
Rodgers’ TD pass for Adams gave the Packers an opening score for the eighth straight year to open the season. The only other team to do this since 2000 was New England in 2007. The Patriots series broke up after eight games. The Packers have four TDs and four field goals on the opening drives for the top 40 points in the league.
JONES ‘STATUS
Packers Star is running back Aaron Jones returned with a calf injury after missing two games. He made an instant impression, touching the ball in the first four games to win 37 yards. He finished with 15 runs for 58 yards, along with five catches for 21 yards.
BIG DAY
The only bright spot for the 49er was the performance of the receiver Richie James Jr., who had nine catches for 184 yards and a TD. James entered the game 295 yards in 32 career games.
DEPLETED ROSTER
The string of injuries and coronavirus rules left a number of rosters on the 49ers, especially on the offensive. They were the first team since the 1970 merger to play a game with no starting QB and six of their top seven players in yards before scrimmage outside of the 1987 substitute games.
INJURY REPORT
Packer: CB Jaire Alexander (Concussion), T. Rick Wagner (Knee), LB Cross Barnes (Calf) and RB Dexter Williams (Knee) Everyone left the game and never returned.
49ers: CB K’Waun Williams (ankle) and S. Jaquiski Tartt (Toe) left the game and did not return.
NEXT
Packer: Hosted Jacksonville on November 15th.
49ers: Visit New Orleans on November 15th.
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