Packers vs. 49ers: San Francisco Grades, Notes and Quotes
The San Francisco 49ers were facing a major hurdle when they took on the undefeated Green Bay Packers in a Week 4 showdown at Levi's Stadium.
Green Bay is still undefeated after knocking off San Francisco 17-3.
The 49ers offense was flat. And that may be an understatement. In total, San Francisco mustered a mere 196 all-purpose yards against a Green Bay defense that, up to this game, ranked No. 27 in the league in stopping the run.
Establishing the run seemed like the right idea for the 49ers offense. Yet it didn't take too long for offensive coordinator Geep Chryst's game plan to go awry.
Defensively, the 49ers did a solid job limiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the high-flying Packers offense. Green Bay had a mere 7-3 lead at the half. Unfortunately, the lack of any offense meant the 49ers defense would eventually be worn down in the second half.
San Francisco falls to 1-3 and has seen its last-place offense only continue to falter.
Let's break down the matchup, and take a look at the highs and lows from the 49ers' Week 4 effort against their Green Bay rivals.
Position Grades for 49ers
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| Position | Grade |
| QB | F+ |
| RB | F |
| WR | C- |
| TE | D- |
| OL | F |
| DL | B- |
| LB | B+ |
| DB | A- |
| Special Teams | D+ |
| Coaching | D |
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn't toss four interceptions like last week. He only threw one, so let's suppose that is an upgrade. His 160 passing yards and 55.4 passer rating—both significantly better than last week, with some sarcasm added—continue to fuel discussions regarding whether or not Kaepernick should be San Francisco's signal-caller moving forward.
There was no running game, with running back Carlos Hyde netting a mere 20 yards on eight carries.
And, as has been the case in 2015, the 49ers' offensive line was permeable and terribly ineffective. The Packers managed six sacks for 41 yards and were constantly around Kaepernick as he struggled to make plays within the pocket.
Defensively, the 49ers did provide a commendable effort against a dangerous Packers offense. Green Bay managed 362 yards of offense during the game and had just seven points by halftime.
The secondary managed some nice coverage against the Packers receiving corps, and San Francisco's pass-rushers were able to get some pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the second half.
Linebacker Aaron Lynch had two sacks and three quarterbacks hits, which highlighted a solid effort from the 49ers defense.
But the 49ers offense continues to be worrisome.
Defense Shows Up
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The Packers had averaged 32 points per game entering this Week 4 contest. Granted, Green Bay was coming off a short week, having played on Monday Night Football the week prior. But slowing down quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense was a priority.
And, in large part, this was accomplished.
Green Bay got off to a quick start with a first-possession touchdown from Rodgers to tight end Richard Rodgers. Yet the 49ers defense managed to clamp down thereafter and keep it a close game.
Taylor Price of 49ers.com described San Francisco's defensive efforts:
"It was also the Packers lowest first-half scoring total of the year. Green Bay was 1 for 7 on third-down conversions in the first half. The Packers did, however, pick up a pair 4th-and-1 plays with runs by Eddie Lacy. The second of which helped set up a Mason Crosby field-goal attempt late in the first half. Fortunately for the 49ers, Crosby missed his 44-yard attempt to keep it a 7-3 halftime score.
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The Packers started to wear down San Francisco's defense in the second half. Ten points in the third quarter gave Green Bay a 17-3 lead.
And with San Francisco's offense in a stalemate, all the 49ers defense could do was hope to hold the line.
Linebacker Aaron Lynch had a nice two-sack effort, while fellow LB Michael Wilhoite led the team with nine tackles.
The defense may have to play like this all season if the 49ers offense continues its epic struggles.
The Offense Does Not Show Up
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Three points in any NFL contest is probably enough to suggest a completely disjointed effort from an offense.
And such is the case with the 49ers right now.
San Francisco's play-calling seemed to replicate the ultra-conservative, simplistic approach seen by 49ers offensive coordinators in the previous decade. A 3rd-and-long run right up the gut brought back memories of former offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, as CSN 49ers News noted.
One would have expected San Francisco to establish its ground game. But the Packers defense ensured this wouldn't happen by stuffing the box, which forced quarterback Colin Kaepernick into passing situations.
And Kaepernick did not equal the challenge.
Part of the problems were up front on the offensive line. The right side continues to be problematic, and right tackle Erik Pears and right guard Jordan Devey continued to give up pressure en route to a six-sack effort from the Packers defense.
The O-line's issues could be upsetting head coach Jim Tomsula, who declined to comment about this unit's issues to the media, per Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com.
But the focus of the offensive ineptitude continues to fall upon Kaepernick.
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News described how Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and the defense reacted to all the 49ers could not do:
"Perhaps symbolizing the 49ers’ offensive ineptitude, Clay Matthews produced a third-down sack of Kaepernick in the third quarter and celebrated by “Kaepernicking,” with Matthews kissing his own right biceps. Bradley Pinion followed with a 30-yard punt, barely better than a 21-yard shank earlier in the game.
With three minutes remaining, a “Go Pack Go!” chant rang out among the strong contingent of Packers fans at Levi’s Stadium.
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If there is any positive emanating from San Francisco's offense, perhaps it's the knowledge that the only direction from here is upward.
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Colin Kaepernick's Woes Continue
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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick's line from Week 4 read like this: 13-of-25 for 160 yards, with zero touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 10 times for 57 yards but was also sacked six times for a net loss of 41 yards.
The days of Kaepernick defeating the Packers are over. Those 49ers teams are infinitely different in comparison to the one taking the field in 2015. And Kaepernick's former success against Green Bay is little more than a distant memory.
One would have hoped Kaepernick would have a rebound after enduring a four-interception, 16.7 passer-rating effort against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.
Statistically, there were improvements. But, in reality, the numbers weren't much better.
Packers linebacker Clay Matthews took liberty in mocking San Francisco's signal-caller on multiple occasions. After sacking Kaepernick in the third quarter, Matthews kissed his right bicep in similar fashion to Kaepernick's own touchdown celebration—one rarely seen from the quarterback these days.
But Matthews also tossed a verbal insult at Kaepernick as well, per SB Nation.
Matthews yelled, "You ain't Russell Wilson." Sound of the words was picked up by the microphone.
Kaepernick doesn't have much of a comeback at this stage of his career.
Anquan Boldin Refuses to Speak to the Media
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One of many 49ers players visibly frustrated in Week 4 was wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Boldin posted just three receptions for 12 yards during the contest but was targeted seven times. Many of quarterback Colin Kaepernick's throws to Boldin were simply off-target by a long shot.
And Boldin didn't have to come out and say he wasn't pleased with the effort. His body language said it all.
Following the game, Boldin refused to speak with the media, per John Dickinson of 95.7 The Game.
"I don't want to be rude, but I've got nothing to say," Boldin said as he made his way past a large contingent of the media.
Boldin's frustrations were just a part of everything that went wrong on offense. This unit's lack of continuity and efficiency is beyond problematic, especially given the defense's commendable effort.
Carlos Hyde on the Offense
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Last week, running back Carlos Hyde was critical of his quarterback's efforts against the Cardinals in Week 3.
"I mean, it’s not that you can’t throw that," Hyde said (via Sports Illustrated), "It’s just that you can’t make that turnover. There was guys open. The ball just dropped down to the other person."
This week, Hyde could look at the offensive line with some critical points of view. The 49ers tried to get Hyde into the mix early considering the Packers ranked No. 27 in the NFL with 383 yards allowed on the ground prior to Week 4.
But Hyde managed just 20 rushing yards of his own during the game and averaged just 2.5 yards per carry after Green Bay stacked the box in defense of this approach.
"It's on us as the players to go out and execute," Hyde later said, per the team's website. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to help this team win."
The plan for opposing teams appears to be pretty simple: take Hyde out of the equation and force quarterback Colin Kaepernick to make plays with his arm.
It's worked for three out of the four 49ers' 2015 games.
Jim Tomsula Trying to Absorb the Blame
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"We came up short," head coach Jim Tomsula stated, per 49ers.com. "Green Bay played a heck of a game. Offensively, we've got to get some things ironed out, and that starts with me."
Such comments were heard following the 49ers' ugly losses against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. And it's starting to become clear Tomsula is trying his best to keep the widespread criticism of his team from reaching his players.
But Tomsula can't take the blame for improper execution—there was plenty of that. And he can't readily solve issues with the offense without some substantial changes.
And Tomsula isn't leaning towards any drastic measures just yet.
When asked if he would make a change at quarterback, Tomsula responded, per Taylor Price of 49ers.com, "Won't even go into the discussion. That's not even on my mind."
"Colin Kaepernick gives us the best chance to win."
As stated previously, Tomsula was mum on the offensive line—a unit which saw plenty of its own problems throughout four quarters in Week 4.
Yet, that is only a portion of the issue.
Tomsula's task of running this team may be too much for even the most likable of head coaches to handle. But this is the guy CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke asked for.
And Tomsula will likely continue to absorb blame if the 49ers continue such embarrassing efforts.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.
Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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