SAN FRANCISCO DEFENSE STIFLES GREEN BAY RALLY
The 49ers come up with a big road victory after making key late stops against Aaron Rodgers.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Randy Moss found his way back to familiar turf, celebrating a touchdown at Lambeau Field in his new uniform.
The San Francisco 49ers defense kept Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers out of the end zone for most of the day — then made sure they didn’t give the game away.
Showing the same brand of dominant defense that powered them to the NFC championship game last season, the 49ers smothered Rodgers and the Packers offense, then made one last stand to stop a late rally in a 30-22 victory Sunday.
49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks said the 49ers’ win could be an “eye opener” for the Packers, and a sign that the 49ers are poised for another big playoff run. “Maybe we’ll see them again in the NFC championship,” Brooks said.
Facing a Packers team that lost only once in the 2011 regular season was a tough opening road test, but the 49ers were more than ready.
“We were just tremendously on it today, and that was a big part of our victory,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Things went so well for San Francisco that when David Akers tried a 63-yard field goal at the end of the first half, it bounced off the crossbar and then kept going through the uprights to tie an NFL record.
“When you hit the goal post at any part it usually makes that horrific noise and then it usually bounces back,” Akers said. “This time it got there. It was a sweet bounce. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type of a deal.”
The Packers came into their opener with hopes that a rebuilt defense and improved running game could help get them back to the Super Bowl after coming up short in the playoffs last season.
“They’ve got a great defense,” Rodgers said. “You’ve got to give them credit. They’ve got some of the top guys in the league at their position.”
Rodgers finished the game as the Packers’ leading rusher, with new addition Cedric Benson gaining just 18 yards on nine carries.
The Packers don’t have long to prepare for their next game, Thursday night at home against the division rival Chicago Bears.
Asked if he at least was pleased that his team put together a comeback, Packers coach Mike McCarthy held his tongue. “Boy, I’d like to answer that truthfully,” McCarthy said. “We’re 0-1. We have some work to do. We’re up in 96 hours.”
Rodgers cautioned against blowing one loss out of proportion.
“It’s one game,” Rodgers said. “This is a team that was in the NFC championship last year. It’s a good team. Hopefully we see them down the road in the playoffs.”
Rodgers finished 30 of 44 for 303 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but the 49ers held him in check until late the in the game. Jermichael Finley had a 1-yard touchdown for the Packers.
Alex Smith was 20 of 26 for 211 yards and two touchdowns while Frank Gore rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Moss scored a 14-yard touchdown in the second quarter, a familiar — and painful — sight for Packers fans. Moss turned his back to the crowd and pointed to the name on his jersey, opting for a subdued celebration.
Linebacker Patrick Willis said the 49ers made a statement. “You turn on the TV or you hear people say, ‘No, the Packers are going to beat them by two or three touchdowns,’ and you hear everybody saying all this and that,” Willis said.
“But we know what we have and we have complete confidence in one another here across the board, offense, defense and special teams. As long as we have that and we’re still together, I think we’re capable of doing anything.”