Divisional Round Post Match Review: 49ers at Packers

By Scooter_McG 

Incredible. Unbelievable. Amazing. Name the incredulous superlative and that describes the unlikely come from behind victory for the 49ers over the Packers in the Divisional Round. 

Here's what stood out to me.

Defensive resolve. The 49ers were outplayed by the Packers for the majority of the game. Out muscled for large stretches of it. But despite producing one of their worst offensive performances since Kyle Shanahan has been in charge, the 49ers showed a steely resolve on defense that prevented the game from getting away from them and keep the game within one score at all times. 

The defense was led by Arik Armstead and Fred Warner, who put in tremendous displays. Armstead continued his exceptional play during the second half of this season, recording another pair of sacks in this one, making it 5.5 sacks in his last three games (all of which were win or go home situations). He is proving to be a big game performer for the 49ers. Fred Warner was also everywhere in this one and made a number of big plays. 

The defensive line was able to harass Rodgers just enough in this one to prevent him from keeping many drives alive, with the Packers only passing halfway four times all game. Impressively, the Packers were only able to come away with 10 points on those four drives. 

The defensive performance was all the more remarkable given how easily the Packers moved the ball on their first two drives. They never looked troubled on the opening drive as Rodgers and Adams repeatedly hooked up, leading to a TD run for Dillon. On that second drive they were well on their way to another score, but a peanut punch by Warner turned the tide for the defense as they were able to force the fumble and get the ball back for the offense. The Packers would only pass halfway twice more on their remaining eight drives of the game, as the defense started taking Adams away and held up against the Packers run game. 

One of the critical sequences of the game came during the second half on the Packers FG drive. The Packers offense had been sputtering for some time, but got going on that drive with some tough running and finding ways to get the ball to Adams. They got down to the San Francisco 5 yard line and looked like scoring a TD, but Armstead stepped up on third down to record his first sack of the game and keep the game within one score. In a close game like this one, that play was crucial to maintain striking distance and keep the pressure on the Packers. 

Special teams were special. And for a change, in a good way. If it was the defense that kep the team in the game, it was the special teams that won it. The specialists were rock solid, and Robbie Gould was once again nails in the post season, despite the inclement weather. He kicked two FGs and an extra point, including the game winner as time expired from 45 yards.

But more importantly, the 49ers came up with some massive, game turning plays on special teams throughout the game. First, Jimmie Ward blocked a FG attempt at the end of the first half to keep it a one score game at the half. Then Deebo started the second half with a big kick return to set the 49ers up at halfway, which led to the 49ers first points. 

But the real hero of the game was Jordan Willis, who knifed past the center on a punt deep in Packers territory with just under 5 minutes to go to block the punt, which was scooped up by Talanoa Hufanga for the game tying TD. 

In a game where the offense repeatedly found ways to not score (more on that below) the contribution from the special teams was crucial to the win. And for one week at least Richard Hightower can feel good about his unit. 

Offense was inept. As outlined above, the offense produced one of their worst performances under Kyle Shanahan, especially in the first half. In fact the first four drives were three and outs, three of which were ended by sacks on third down. The running game was going nowhere while the receivers were letting Jimmy G down by continually dropping passes or not getting open. The blocking was also sub-par in both the run and pass game, as the Packers defensive line consistently overwhelmed them at the line of scrimmage. 

It wasn't until their last drive of the first half that the 49ers got moving on offense. And even that drive looked like it was going to stall quickly, until an exceptional one handed catch by Kittle on the sideline gave them their first first down of the game. The drive would get them all the way down to a first and goal, but a Trent Williams holding penalty would back them up then Jimmy G threw a very late pass while on the move to Kittle that was intercepted by Amos. 

The second half started with more promise, as the 49ers drove down the field to start the half relying heavily on Deebo Samuel and got within the five yard line. However, Mitchell was penalised for a face mask which backed them up, then Aiyuk lined up incorrectly. In the end the 49ers had to settle for a FG. 

After the Packers kicked a FG to extend their lead back to 7, the 49ers got going on offense again with a couple of nice runs and a big third down conversion to Kittle for 24 yards. However, the 49ers would eventually turn the ball over on downs after it looked like Elijah Mitchell made an error by cutting the ball back inside instead of following Trent Williams on the outside run on 4th and 1. 

The offense found ways to shoot itself in the foot the entire game. But in the end the defense and special teams did enough to overcome those mistakes.

Big Picture. NFC Championship Game! After starting the season 2-4 then 3-5, who would have thought this team could make it to the NFCCG? It's a remarkable display of perseverance and self belief by the players and coaches to have made it this far. The team is far from perfect, but they play hard and play for each other, with just enough skill thrown in, and that combination can prove difficult to beat.  

The 49ers will no doubt be sweating on a few injuries this week, as a number of players looked hobbled by the end of the game. Hopefully none of the injuries are serious and the players are able to recover in time for next week. Now we wait to see which team the 49ers will be facing.

Go 49ers!