Official Packers vs. 49ers Game Day Thread

[pbmax]

Ouch.

I thought Justin Harrell was crazy for suggesting that McCarthy would insist on running at the 9ers defense.

CedBen was the only player with carries beside Rodgers. Benson carried the ball 9 times. And there were 44 passing attempts.

[denverYooper]

I have no problem with the bomb on 3rd and 1. They had it beat and just didn't make the play. That would have changed the tone of the game, IMO, and we've seen them successfully pull off that kind of play a lot in the last few years. Really, it's part of this team's bread and butter, so when those flop then they look bad but that's who this team is: they're going to go for those at least once a game.

As far as playcalling goes, I have far more issues with the end of half sequence leading to the field goal. They had breakdowns in all 3 phases, from the O handing the 9ers 30 seconds by running the anti 2 minute offense (timeout w 3rd and long, Rodgers throwing the ball OB), to the ST letting up a 20 yard return, to the D looking totally oblivious to the 17 yard draw. The 63 yard field goal was only natural at that point.

[denverYooper]

In some ways, this game reminded me of the Atlanta game from 2010. The Packers came in and got beat down by a more physical team playing ball control.

[Packers4Glory]

I have no problem with the bomb on 3rd and 1. They had it beat and just didn't make the play. That would have changed the tone of the game, IMO, and we've seen them successfully pull off that kind of play a lot in the last few years. Really, it's part of this team's bread and butter, so when those flop then they look bad but that's who this team is: they're going to go for those at least once a game.

there are times to do that. IMO, that was not one of them. I was thinking please please don't launch a long pass here...and they did. maybe a better throw works, but it was double covered and we needed to move the sticks and get a score. 1st downs and scoring was going to be at a premium vs that team. get the first down in that situation unless you plan on going for it on 4th.

[mraynrand]

Sure. On the road and missing Clark and Harrison. This Steeler D is old and not as good as it used to be, but their D line is not the problem.

The O line, on the other hand, showed its true colors at the end.

That's a little unfair. I recall way back in the '95 NFCC game that the Packer O-line gave up four straight sacks to end the game, because the team knew the game was over and the Cowboys didn't have to defend runs or short passes - send everyone on 5-7 step drops and you get instant sacks. Big Ben threw the unforced error and ended the game on the previous set of downs. The Steelers O-line was sorta OK for losing their LT and playing a rookie there. now back to your regular programming!

[mraynrand]

Merling probably only played as much because it was the 49ers, and they were expecting run, run, run. Wonder if he'll be active and/or get as many snaps against Chicago. Chicago still runs, but they were absolutely pass-happy yesterday, even up by three + scores late.

[mraynrand]

Bomb on a 3rd and one? Shit. I saw that coming. And I am a football retard. M3, you Dumb-shit, hand it to CB. No-one, and I mean no-one, will see that coming..........

I'm OK with that play call, but not at that moment. It's the first series of the second half. You're down my two scores. You need to keep your offense on the field. You haven't made a first down yet, so if you don't get it, you're giving good field position to an O that's pushed you around. Get the first down, get over at least the 40 yard line. Don't pull that crap when you are down more than one score.

[LEWCWA]

Any guesses as to how many picks Favre would have tossed up had he been behind Center today???

What does that have to do with anything? I know our qb threw up a pretty big one with the game on the line. Tough play as that stuff happens, these qb assume where a player is going to be alot and that is what arod did that play. He was just wrong....Rodgers didn't seem to be under a bunch of pressure yesterday. He had time to make plays and didn't.

[mraynrand]

Rodgers had poor recognition of the 3-man pass rush. When he saw that, he should have tucked and run immediately.

[mraynrand]

What does that have to do with anything?

+1 No need to say more

[mraynrand]

My biggest concern is the defense. I really thought the secondary would be much better this year. The front seven wasn't perfect, but looked pretty good. Alex Smith didn't beat this defense because he had all day in the pocket. He beat us because the secondary was playing with their head up their asses. The constant miscommunication is getting old. I know Bush is the consistent scapegoat and he deserves most of the blame, but I'm really starting to question Burnett. I think he has his head up his ass just as much as Bush does.

M.D. Jennings was brutal

[LEWCWA]

I'm sorry to say it, but arod looked like a pussy to me on the last play.....he didn't have the stones to stand and take the hit. He just lofted the ball up with a hope and a prayer. Stand there till the last second and throw the back shoulder. Jordy had the cb turned, back shoulder throw was there.....

[denverYooper]

there are times to do that. IMO, that was not one of them. I was thinking please please don't launch a long pass here...and they did. maybe a better throw works, but it was double covered and we needed to move the sticks and get a score. 1st downs and scoring was going to be at a premium vs that team. get the first down in that situation unless you plan on going for it on 4th.

I feel your point and don't disagree but I understand why they took the shot there. They wanted to score, which you place a premium on, but they also wanted to attempt to change the comlexion of the game that was slipping away. Jordy may have been double covered but he was on top of both guys so the play call had the effect it was intending.

I, like you, would rather have seen them march it down but I can see why they took the shot.

[denverYooper]

I'm sorry to say it, but arod looked like a pussy to me on the last play.....he didn't have the stones to stand and take the hit. He just lofted the ball up with a hope and a prayer. Stand there till the last second and throw the back shoulder. Jordy had the cb turned, back shoulder throw was there.....

I don't know that he had much more time there.

[rbaloha1]

I'm sorry to say it, but arod looked like a pussy to me on the last play.....he didn't have the stones to stand and take the hit. He just lofted the ball up with a hope and a prayer. Stand there till the last second and throw the back shoulder. Jordy had the cb turned, back shoulder throw was there.....

A-rod panicked too much yesterday.