49ers knock Packers out of playoffs again

NFC Wild Card Round
January 5, 2014 - 3:40 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 20 - 49ers 23

For the second consecutive season, the San Francisco 49ers have knocked the Green Bay Packers out of the playoffs.

The Packers started extremely slow in this football game.  The Packers started the game with three consecutive 3-and-outs and managed only six yards of offense in the first quarter.  Give credit to the 49ers, the offense was so out of rhythm, they did not even complete a pass in the first quarter.  The last time that happened to the Packers was in 2004.  Despite the struggles, the Packers only trailed the 49ers at the conclusion of first quarter by a pair of Phil Dawson field goals.  The 49ers moved the ball well against the Packers defense.  However, the Packers, who are famous for their 'Bend-Don't-Break' defense, didn't break in the red zone and held the 49ers out of the end zone.

Photo credit: packers.com

Early in the second quarter, Colin Kaepernick had the 49ers moving the ball again seeking for an early dagger in the Packers.  On a second and seven from the Packers 29-yard line, Tramon Williams intercepted Kaepernick on a pass intended for Vernon Davis.  The turnover was crucial as it fired up the crowd and the Packers offense.  Aaron Rodgers, with the help of Eddie Lacy, dinked and dunked the Packers down the field for a 14-play drive ending with a Jordy Nelson touchdown.  Thanks to the defense not breaking in the first quarter, the Packers somehow had the lead 7-6.

The 49ers responded quickly.  Frank Gore found the end zone capping a 5-play drive for the 49ers giving them the lead right back 13-7.  Kaepernick gashed the Packers defense for a 42-yard rush and brought back nightmares of last year's playoff game in San Francisco.  Rodgers lead the Packers right down the field again, but the drive stalled inside the red zone and they settled for a Mason Crosby field goal cutting the 49ers lead at halftime to 13-10.

The third quarter was a defensive battle in the trenches.  Neither offense could find a rhythm.  The 49ers and Packers combined for a total of five punts in the third quarter.

The Packers opened the fourth quarter finding the end zone.  John Kuhn pounded it in from 1-yard out to complete a 12-play drive giving the Packers the 17-13 lead.  The drive also consisted of an unbelievable fourth down conversion as Rodgers escaped a sack and found Randall Cobb.  Once again, the 49ers responded quickly.  This time, the 49ers only needed four plays to get into the end zone to recapture the lead 20-17.  Twice in this football game, the Packers took the lead, but gave it up minutes later.  The Packers went on another long drive.  The Packers had a first and goal from the 9-yard line.  Sadly, just like the regular season, they could not find a way to get into the end zone.  A Crosby field goal tied the game with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

Photo credit: 49ers.com

The Packers never got the ball back.  The defense could not find a way to get off the field.  A third and ten, Kaepernick found Michael Crabtree for seventeen yards.  A critical third and eight, Kaepernick escaped the pocket and rushed for eleven yards and another first down.  A third and three to preserve time and give Aaron Rodgers a chance, ended with a Frank Gore 3-yard run.  49ers kicker Phil Dawson hit a 33-yard field goal as time expired and the Packers season was over.

The Packers finish the season 8-8-1.

Aaron Rodgers finished the day 17/26 for 177 yards and a touchdown.  177 passing yards is the lowest postseason total for Rodgers in his career.  Eddie Lacy rushed for 81 yards on 21 carries in his first playoff game in his career.  Jordy Nelson led the team in receiving with seven receptions for 62 yards and touchdown.  Colin Kaepernick played well again against the Packers passing for 227 yards and a touchdown.  Kaepernick hurt the Packers on the ground again rushing for 98 yards.  Frank Gore rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown.  Michael Crabtree had another big game against the Packers hauling in eight balls for 125 yards.

The 'Frozen Tundra' lived up to its name for this postseason matchup.  Kickoff weather conditions at Lambeau Field were a balmy 5 degrees with a wind chill of negative 10 degrees.  With the temperature dropping slowly throughout the game, both teams were playing in one of the coldest games in NFL history.

Photo credit: packers.com

I'm very proud of this football team.  This team easily could have given up weeks ago with injuries left and right.  But they didn't.  And kept fighting.  Incredible resilient team.  I love that this team never gave up.  They never lost hope, even when most people did.  We got to witness the rise of a star in Eddie Lacy.  We got to witness the magical comebacks by Matt Flynn.  We got to witness the comeback from Aaron Rodgers and the remarkable victory for the NFC North Championship.  A lot of people believed the Packers were going to lose to the 49ers because they were on 'borrowed time' anyways.  I have to tell you folks, despite the 8-8-1 record, despite the long list of injuries, the Packers were right there.  A play or two different in this ballgame and the Packers are moving on.

A very disturbing note: the Packers started their playoff history at Lambeau Field 13-0.  Since then, the Packers have suffered playoff home losses to the Falcons, Vikings, 49ers, and Giants twice.  The Packers have lost five of their last eight playoff games at Lambeau Field.  All-time the Packers are 16-5 on the 'Frozen Tundra' during the playoffs.  Have the Packers lost their Lambeau Field intimidation advantage?  Sure seems that way.  No one is afraid of coming to Green Bay in January anymore.  And that is very alarming.

The Packers will be faced with a lot of decisions in the offseason.  Will Dom Capers be back as defensive coordinator?  Will the Packers address personnel depth at the linebacker and safety position?  Which free agents will the Packers bring back: B.J. Raji, Johnny Jolly, C.J. Wilson, Sam Shields, Mike Neal, Ryan Pickett, James Jones, James Starks, Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, John Kuhn, Evan Dietrich-Smith?  Will Ted Thompson sign any outside free agents?

In order for the Packers to return to the Super Bowl, they once again, have to address the defense in the offseason.  This will mark the third straight offseason the Packers have to address defensive woes.  This team could go so far if the Packers actually had a decent defense.

Till next season... #gopackgo