SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers massacred the Packers 45-31 on Saturday night. Here is the grade for the 49ers defense and special teams.
Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith played 53 snaps, 91 percent of the defensive snaps. That alone is impressive. He couldn’t use his injured left arm, but the Packers still double teamed him, and he was disruptive bull rushing. And he was effective against the run, finishing the game with five tackles. I can’t give this group an ‘A’ because it did not get much pressure on Rodgers and it gave up 6.5 yards per carry.
Linebackers: B+. I downgrade the linebackers for the same reason I downgrade the defensive limeman – subpar run defense and pass rush. But NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith each covered very well. Bowman knocked away two passes. And Patrick Willis was the best rusher on the night. He was the one 49er Aaron Rodgers couldn’t run away from.
Secondary: B+. Tarell Brown was dominant. He gave up just two catches for 16 yards according to Pro Football Focus. He also intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the first half.
Carlos Rogers gave up four catches in five targets, but none of those completions were consequential.
Chris Culliver gave up five catches in six targets for 84 yards. He was hindered by leg cramps.
Donte Whitner gave up two touchdowns. He’s been a liability in the red zone.
Dashon Goldson played very well. Aaron Rodgers avoided throwing his way the entire game.
Special teams: A. C.J. Spillman recovered the key fumble early in the game, the one that gave the 49ers all of the momentum and touchdown a few plays later. David Akers made a field goal. The 49ers special teams hasn’t played this well since Blake Costanzo was on the team.
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Willis is the man.
will quibble by saying that some unit probably deserves an A, and I’d give it to the secondary. Rodgers had decent time and yet he didnt carve us up – i think that means our guys did a good job in coverage.
There was a relatively early moment when I noticed that GB had a guy playing LB who was a free agent or relative unknown – the contrast to Willis and Bowman, who run like RBs and have surer hands than I did with my high school girlfriend, was pretty comforting.
The secondary did do a tremendous job considering the lack of pressure on Rodgers.
Justin is a warrior. And as much as I have criticized him at times, Joe Staley was a stud. He neutralized Clay Matthews all night despite playing in severe pain. Clay got one sack, but Staley had him stopped on that play, CK just had nowhere to go with the ball and no avenue to get out of the pocket. Nothing but props for these two.
And your grade? How about an F? You called the score on both games wrong, you smirked and squirmed throughout your shot on the teevee and you generally completely missed on the whole playoff picture. F…
I poop daily too, what’s your problem?
The 9ers got more pressure than you think they did Grant. Rodgers was constantly having to move away from the pocket and throw off-platform. And they mostly did it with four rushers allowing them to drop 7 in coverage and cover all the receivers.
Texas Toast. Brady advances.
Brady looked really good today. As beat up as the Ravens D is I wonder if we’re looking at a 49ers-Pats Super Bowl.
What’s the statistic for teams that lost to their eventual opponent during the reg. season and then in the big game?
I thought the Defense played very well.
The Pack had 2 good plays the whole 1st half, being the bomb to Jones (well covered by Culliver anyways) and the subsequent TD run.
They may have given up a big average per rush, but from what I saw they were in nickel and dime the vast majority, even on 1st downs. They gave the run to the pack, and focused on taking away the passing game (Rodgers 5 for 10 in the 1st half). And they may not have gotten lots of sacks but Rodgers felt the pressure.
49ers-Pats Superbowl. Look out!
One thing scares about the Falcons is those Hail Mary like bombs they do on the outside to White & Jones. Our small corners like Rodgers and Brown have been susceptible to those type of plays.
You could add Culliver to that too.
Pass rush once again will be a factor as Ryan can be rattled into mistakes. We owe these boys from a couple of years ago when they crushed us but then again that was the Singletary days.