San Francisco 49ers kick off season with a win, overcome Green Bay Packers 30-22 – NFL Recap
San Francisco 49ers marked beginning of their 2012 National Football League (NFL) season impressively as they overcame one of the most threatening units in the league Green Bay Packers, 30-22, on Sunday, September 09, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay.
49ers, who were exceptional last season, were even better this time as they displayed improved offensive performance with their veteran Randy Moss, who marked his NFL return after missing an entire season, scoring a touchdown.
Their defence, as expected, controlled the dominating Packers offence led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers who despite playing well could not penetrate the 49ers defence all the time.
The visitors maintained their grip over the game right from the start and gave almost no chance to the Packers in the first three quarters to progress.
Packers finally managed to accelerate in the final quarter, but the 49ers offence ensured increasing lead to maintain the advantage till the end.
David Akers, the 49ers reliable kicker, once again lived up to the expectations and scored three field goals including a massive NFL record-tying 63-yard successful attempt. He said after the game:
“It was kind of one of those miracles, I think to be a part of. I didn’t think I hit it great enough. I made 61 in pregame and it felt pretty good if I could just get it there and strike it right.”
The game started on a low note and only one scoring move came in the first quarter as Akers got a field goal.
49ers quarterback Alex Smith found Randy Moss in the end zone early in the second quarter as both players combined for a 14-yard touchdown.
Rodgers and Jermichael Finley connected for a touchdown later in the quarter, but the 49ers added two more field goals to enter halftime carrying the lead, 16-7.
Smith and tight end Vernon Davis combined in the third quarter for a four-yard touchdown, taking the score to 23-7.
Packers’ special team supported them in the final quarter as Randall Cobb managed a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown to reduce the lead. However, 49ers got another touchdown when running back Frank Gore managed a 23-yard run.
Rodgers and James Jones connected for a 10-yard touchdown in the quarter to further reduce the deficit, but Packers could not provide more scoring opportunities.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy appreciated the 49ers defence and hoped that his team would bounce back in the next game. He said after the game:
“I’d like to have more production in the run game. I thought the 49ers defence played with favourable sticks more than we did, as far as the down and distance. But with that, I thought Aaron did a good job of handling the distortion, particularly in the
first half.”
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