Week 11: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers

(Image created by Samuel Lam)

This is it. The 49ers have found their way out of a four-game losing streak but now face the Green Bay Packers, a team also seeking to find consistency. With the Wild Card spot still in reaching distancefor both teams, this game is a make-or-break game. The 49ers still stand two games behind the division and with the way the Cardinals are playing, the 49ers probably have to win five or six more games to be serious contenders for the NFC West title.

The 49ers have lost 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Packers. Going into Lambeau Field isn't going to be easy either. The weather is expected to be really cold (no snow though). Two former first rounders will start under center in the game. Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers, both linked from that draft, will try to help their respective teams make that playoff push.

The 49ers will have to help Smith get in rhythm in the passing game as the 49ers have established a more pass-oriented offense. It will be a lot on the young wide receivers in Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree against veteran cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris. The 49ers running game must also continue its success, especially with ball control early on the game.

At 4-5, the 49ers are trying to fight their way into relevancy in the NFC. A loss might very well end any playoff hopes for the team. You can call this a "must-win" game. The team doesn't like to call it that, but everyone knows that this game will decide the season for the 49ers.

There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Packers:

1. Sack Rodgers
   If Rodgers gets sacked on average 4.6 times a game, then that must be a good sign for a 49ers pass rush that hasn't done too much this year. Getting to Rodgers will be the priority of the defense. If the offensive line is struggling to protect their quarterback, it might throw off some timing patterns for the Packers. In any case, pres
2. Ball control from turnovers
   The Packers offense can score in bunches. And seeing what the 49ers did to the Bears last week, forcing turnovers and preventing the Packers from scoring will be very important. The defense will once again be tested with a very good quarterback. Preventing the big score through turnovers will be a priority.
3. No field goals
   In a previous article, I talked about the 49ers success rate when in the opponent's 30-yard line. The 49ers cannot have field goals when given the opportunity to score touchdowns. In a game like this, field goals will not be enough for the 49ers to win. Touchdowns haev to be scored.

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Today's injury report:

49ERS
OUT
CB Nate Clements (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

PROBABLE
WR Isaac Bruce (ankle, elbow), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), WR Michael Crabtree (knee), DT Demetric Evans (shoulder), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (not injury related), S Mark Roman (knee), DT Justin Smith (back), T Adam Snyder (shoulder)

PACKERS
DOUBTFUL
T Allen Barbre (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE
G Evan Dietrich-Smith (ankle), RB Ahman Green (groin)

PROBABLE

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Quite simply, this game is the decider for the season. A win puts the 49ers in good position to make a run to the playoffs. A loss pushes them out of the picture. That's what's on the line.

Follow me on my Twitter for updates throughout today's game and check back here as I plan to update this page.

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1st Quarter

- GB starts on own 27...A 2 yard pass to Driver, then a 4 yard run by Grant...3rd & 3, a pass to Finley to SF 47...Grant with a 10 yard run on first down...Another Grant run takes them to the SF 12...A 4 yard run by Grant on first down...Jackson runs down to the 5...On 3rd & 4, incomplete to Finley and the Packers go for a field goal. GB leads 3-0.

- After touchback, incomplete to Gore...On 2nd & 10, Gore takes a run up the middle to the GB 37...1st & 10, Gore gets 1 yard on Wildcat formation...Morgan takes a reverse and is 1 inch short for 3rd down, Norris goes up the middle but is stopped...On 4th down, SF goes for the 46-yard field goal. Tied at 3-3.

- GB starts on own 23...Rodgers hits Finley for a 9 yard gain...Grant, is dropped for a -1 yard play...On 3rd & 2, Jennings makes a catch on the 43 yard line for a first down...Grant takes a pass to the 48 yard line followed by a 1 yard run by Grant...On 3rd & 3, Rodgers hits Jennings all the way to the SF 14...After a delay of game, on 1st & 15, Rodgers overthrows Grant...On 2nd down, a screen to Grant to the 10 yard line...On 3rd & 5, Rodgers throws incomplete...GB makes a 27-yard FG. 6-3 GB.

- SF starts on their own 15...Gore goes for a 3 yard run, followed by an incomplete pass to Morgan...On 3rd & 7, Smith gets sacked. 49ers to punt.

- GB starts on own 38, Grant runs it up to the 47...Grant gets 2 yards for a first down...and that ends the first quarter.

2nd Quarter

- On 1st down, Grant gets 1 yard...Finley gets a 3 yard catch and on 3rd & 6, a holding penalty on T. Brown gives GB a first down on 41...Jones with an 8 yard catch on first down...Rodgers is rushed by Sopoaga and throws it away for an intentional grounding...On 3rd & 17, Rodgers throws it away. Packers to punt.

- SF starts on own 20 on touchback...Smith is sacked for -1 yards...Gore takes it for 3 yards and on 3rd & 7, Smith throws the ball away. SF to punt.

- GB starts on their own 22...Driver with a catch on the 26, followed by a pass to Finley for no gain...On 3rd & 5, Jennings with first down catch on 35...Rodgers hits Jennings down the middle for a touchdown...13-3 GB leads.

- After touchback, Smith sacked at the 11 yard line...Incomplete to Crabtree and on 3rd & 19, a pass to Crabtree to the 17. SF has to punt.

- After penalty, GB starts on own 19...Incomplete pass to Driver, followed by a -1 yard loss by Grant...On 3rd & 11, a screen to Jackson to the 34 for a first down...A pass to Driver at the GB 49 for another first down...A short pass to Nelson for 6 yards followed by a pass to Driver to the 33 yard line for another first down...Grant runs all the way to the 18 for another first down...Rodgers incomplete to Finley, followed by a Rodgers scramble to the 7 yard line for a first down...Nelson gets a pass and breaks tackles for a touchdown...20-3 GB leads.

- SF starts on their own 19...Screen to Gore goes for -5 yards...Gore runs up to the 20 yard line for a 3rd & 9...2 minute warning...Davis with a catch to the 24 and GB calls a timeout. SF has to punt.

- GB starts on SF 45 yard line...Jackson for a 3 yard catch, followed by a pass to Jackson to the 25 yard line...A pass to the 18 yard line, followed by an incomplete...3rd & 3 on 18 with :18 seconds, hits Jones with a catch out of bounds...Incomplete to Finley...Rodgers steps out at the 9, GB kicks a field goal and take a 23-3 lead at halftime.

3rd Quarter

- Morgan returns kickoff to the 22...Hits Davis for a 7 yard gain, followed by an incomplete...On 3rd & 3, Smith runs for 3 yards for first down...Gore goes for no gain, then Davis gets a huge catch to the 36...Incomplete on first down, followed by another incomplete...3rd & 10, Hill gets 8 yards...On 4th & 2 after SF timeout, incomplete to Gore.

- GB takes over at 28, start off with incomplete...holding call puts GB back to 2nd & 20, hits Nelson for an 8 yard gain..On 3rd & 12, Jackson is 2 yards short on the screen... GB punts.

- SF starts on 32 after Reggie Smith returns punt for no gain...Pass batted down...Smith hits Davis for 10 yards for a first down...Hits Davis all the way to the GB 28 yard line...Incomplete to Davis, and on 2nd down, pass interference on Davis sends SF 10 yards back...Incomplete pass to Bruce...3rd & 20, Smith hits Crabtree for a touchdown. GB now leads 23-10.

- Touchback by GB...Jennings with a 5 yard gain, followed by a 5 yard run by Grant for a first down...A 9 yard run by Grant on first down, followed by a 2 yard run for a first down...Jackson down at 45 for a 3 yard run...an incomplete to Driver, makes it 3rd & 7 and GB has an incomplete. GB to punt.

- SF starts on the 12...4 yard pass to Gore, followed by a false start... On 2nd & 11, Gore runs for 3 yards...3rd & 8, Smith is pressured and throws it away. SF has to punt after a three and out.

- GB on 35 yard line...Grant takes it to the 47 yard line with a first down...Grant for -2 on first down, followed by a pass to the SF 46...3rd & 2, GB calls a timeout... After timeout, pass to Jackson on the 37 for a first down.

4th Quarter

- On 1st down on 37, Haralson sacks Rodgers to the 49 yard line...2nd & 22, incomplete pass to Lee, and on 3rd down...pass to Jackson to SF 39...GB to punt...

- SF on own 2 yard line...Collins intercepts Smith to 11 yard line.

- Grant picks up 1 yard, then Rodgers hits Jones for a 3rd & 8...Finley then gets a catch at the 1 yard line for a first down...Grant up the middle for a TD. 30-10 GB leads.

- Morgan takes kickoff all the way to the GB 24...Incomplete to Gore on first play, followed by a throw away by Smith... On 3rd & 10, Smith hits Davis down the middle for a touchdown. 30-17 GB leads now.

- GB on 24, 2 yard run by Grant...a completion to Driver to GB 31 making it 3rd & 2...Rodgers sacked on 25 and GB punts...

- SF on their own 17, a horsecollar moves SF to the 30...Bruce with a catch midfield...Crabtree to the 15 yard line (GB challenges, but play stands)...Incomplete to Davis, then 5 yard pass to Morgan...3rd & 5, pass batted down at the line...On 4th down, Gore out in the flat for at touchdown! GB leads 30-24.

- GB on own 9, gets 4 yards on Grant run, then a 2 yard run by Grant...On 3rd & 4, Finley gets 5 yards on a catch...Then Grant runs all the way to the 42 yard line for another first down...1 yard run by Jackson (SF timeout)...Jackson runs for 8 yards...3rd & inches (Singletary challenges spot of the ball)... Play stands (team loses last timeout)....3rd & short, Rodgers gets first down...2 minute warning...GB takes all knees and that ends the game.

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