Packers thump 49ers leaving playoffs in doubt
QB2 Brandon Allen #17 top left of the San Francisco 49ers is ready to pass the ball while being chased by the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
2024.11.24 – 49ers journeyman quarterback Brandon Allen didn’t get enough help from teammates, leaving playoffs in doubt, as the Green Bay Packers thump San Francisco 38-10 on Sunday.
Allen did a decent job Sunday filling in for the injured Brock Purdy before losing a fumble on a strip-sack by Lukas Van Ness in the fourth quarter. But on a day when San Francisco’s regulars had to be sharp in Purdy’s absence, the 49ers were sloppy.
Now, the defending NFC champions find themselves at 5-6 and last in the NFC West.
Allen threw a 3-yard pass to tight end George Kittle for San Francisco’s lone touchdown.
“I thought he played well,” Kittle said. “We just have to play better.”
That will be necessary if the Niners want to get back to the playoffs. And it would help if they could get healthier.
Right now, San Francisco looks like a team missing many of its biggest stars.
Purdy didn’t play Sunday because of a shoulder injury. An ankle injury sidelined three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. Four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa was out with a hip/oblique issue. And All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey still appears slowed by Achilles tendinitis.
Coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have any immediate update after the game on Purdy’s potential availability for next week, when the Niners visit AFC East-leading Buffalo.
2024.11.24 (49ers vs. Packers) Game Highlights
QB2 Brandon Allen #17 right of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball while being chased by Xavier McKinney #29 of the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
2024.11.24 (49ers vs. Packers) Game Highlights – (CD-Highlights)
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (NBC Sports Post Game)
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (NBC Sports Post Game)
Allen went 17 of 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. He fumbled twice, losing one. The interception went through the hands of Deebo Samuel before Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney picked it off.
The 49ers didn’t use the injuries as an excuse.
San Francisco committed three turnovers, had nine penalties and missed 15 tackles in the first half alone. McCaffrey was limited to 31 yards on 11 carries and three catches for 37 yards.
Asked to name the most disappointing part of the game, Shanahan saw no need to limit himself.
“The whole game was,” Shanahan said. “So to label the biggest one — just the first half, the run defense was just real disappointing. I thought we got out of our gaps a number of times. I thought we had way too many missed tackles. Just them being able to control that clock the first half was one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of as far as a half.”
2024.11.17 – Seahawks vs. 49ers (LOCKED ON Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) avoids a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (LOCKED ON Post Game)
2024.11.17 – Seahawks vs. 49ers (LOCKED ON Post Game)
San Francisco struggled to bring down Josh Jacobs, who finished with 106 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He became the first player in the past 55 regular-season games to rush for 100 yards or more against the 49ers. It was the longest a team had gone without allowing a 100-yard rusher since 1955.
Then-Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 103 yards against the Niners on Oct. 31, 2021.
Jacobs had 91 yards rushing by halftime.
“That’s about as bad as it can get,” Niners linebacker Fred Warner said of the first half. “It was probably the worst I’ve been a part of.”
The Niners trailed 17-7 and got the ball to start the second half. That’s when they had their costliest penalty.
Eric Saubert was flagged for holding to wipe out Samuel’s 87-yard kickoff return that would have given the 49ers first-and-goal. They ended up turning the ball over on downs at Green Bay’s 39-yard line.
The Niners then turned the ball over on three of their next five series, including McKinney’s interception and fumbles from Allen and McCaffrey. Green Bay scored touchdowns after each of those turnovers.
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs past San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (94) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)Mike Roemer/Associated Press
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2024.11.24 – 49ers vs. Packers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
“We started to build some momentum there at the end of the half,” Allen said. “The second half, had some drives going and just penalties and turnovers really killed us.”
PACKERS REVENGE
The Green Bay Packers earned a measure of revenge against the team that ended their season last year.
It hardly mattered to them that the 49ers squad bore only a passing resemblance to the group that beat the Packers in last season’s NFC divisional playoffs.
“It’s the NFL,” said Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who went 13 of 23 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. “They’ve got other good players. We’ve had injuries. Guys are banged up. You’ve got to go find a way to win, no matter who’s out there. It’s tough for them, but we’ll take the win.”
The Packers scored on each of their first three series. With 6 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter, the 49ers trailed 17-0 and had run just six offensive plays.
As bad as things look for the Niners, they’re still in contention to win the NFC West. Thanks to Arizona’s loss at Seattle, San Francisco remains one game out of first place.
“It’s one game at a time,” McCaffrey said. “Each day you’ve got to wake up, look yourself in the mirror and get better, whether you win or lose. Speaking for me personally, that’s what I’m going to do.”
INJURIES
49ers; DT Jordan Elliott was evaluated for a concussion. … LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles hurt his knee and CB Renardo Green injured his neck. … G Aaron Banks left with a concussion.
Packers; WR Romeo Doubs left with a concussion. Green Bay played without CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring).
UP NEXT
49ers: At Buffalo next Sunday night.
Packers: Host Miami on Thursday night.
Related: 49ers blow late lead in loss to the Seahawks
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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