49ers sent packing in Green Bay: Rapid reactions

Once upon a time, the San Francisco 49ers had the Green Bay Packers number, especially in the postseason. Whether it was Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick, or Kyle Shanahan and Raheem Mostert, the 49ers always seemed to come out on top when they played Green Bay. That changed on Sunday.

On Sunday, the 49ers were embarrassed by the Packers, falling 38-10. Part of it was the many injuries the 49ers sustained, part of it was their own mistakes, and part of it was the Packers. Any way you look at it; it was ugly.


Here are my rapid reactions to the game. These are my live thoughts as the game unfolded, so if you're looking for happiness and optimism, this isn't the week. I apologize ahead of time.

• DeVondre Campbell is not good. He makes too many mistakes for a veteran linebacker.
• Penalties continue to hurt the 49ers.
• Brandon Allen fumbled on his first pass attempt. That's not a great way to start. By the way, in case you have no idea who I'm talking about, Allen is a quarterback, and he's playing in place of the injured Brock Purdy.

• Nick Sorensen looks half asleep, and we're only in the first quarter. Where's the fire?
• It doesn't help when the defense keeps missing tackles. According to Fox, they missed 10 in the first quarter, more than any defense this season.
• If the 49ers can't figure out how to stop the run, this game will not be close.
• Two drives, two Dominic Puni penalties. Who does he think he is? Jake Brendel?
• Malik Mustapha punishes people. Wow! At least one guy on defense came to play.
• This defense is bad. They're far from the ones DeMeco Ryans, Robert Saleh, and even Steve Wilks ran.
• I'm tired of seeing Isaac Yiadom on the field. Come back soon, Charvarius Ward.
• Even when the 49ers come up with a good play, a penalty negates it.
• Back-to-back plays with the 49ers defense having too many men on the field. This is nuts. Someone can't count.

• Isaac Guerendo fumbles too much. That may be one reason why he doesn't play much on offense.
• The 49ers offense picks up its first first down with about 6:19 left in the first half. That's not good.
• Finally, a positive play.

• For the "Fire Shanahan" crowd, he's not the one committing penalties and missing tackles. I'm not saying he doesn't need to be better, but at some point, the players must stop shooting themselves in the foot.

• The 49ers run game has been non-existent since Christian McCaffrey returned. I never expect to write that.
• George Kittle with a nice catch for the touchdown.

• The 49ers defense can't tackle. They're terrible.
• Ricky Pearsall did a nice job on his first punt return. He picked up 13 yards.
• Penalties and missed tackles have been the theme in this game.
• Play Jordan Mason more, please.
• So let me understand this: You pick up a couple of first downs on the ground, then drop back to pass four straight times to turn it over on downs.
• The 49ers special teams suck so bad they're making George Odum bad.
• Kittle is elite. He's been the 49ers best player today. He's a true team captain.
• Deebo Samuel just gave the momentum back to the Packers.

• Ji'Ayir Brown has regressed in his second season.
• Allen has thrown some nice passes today.

• Eric Saubert never does anything right.
• Jake Moody makes it a two-touchdown game. But I'm not optimistic the defense can do anything here.
• That's two interceptions that 49ers defensive backs have dropped so far. You can't do that in a game like this—missed opportunities.
• That's three straight kick/punt returns in which a penalty ruins a nice return. I know Shanahan won't fire Brian Schneider during the season, but I'd consider it if I was him.
• What's worse? The 49ers run game or the 49ers defense?
• Leonard Floyd has been good the past couple of games.
• The 49ers are playing like a young team with talent but keep making mistakes. The problem is, they're not young.
• Now McCaffrey fumbled the ball away. Even when they do something good, the 49ers find a way to screw up.
• Samuel looks like a different player this season. And that's not a good thing. And it's a bad look that, following a poor performance, Samuel refused to speak to the media.

It doesn't get any easier after this one. And it may get even harder as the 49ers travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. If the 49ers lose this one, and they probably will, their slim playoff hopes will be all but dead.

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