The Packers beat the 49ers in a crucial game for both teams’ playoff hopes

In a game with high stakes for each team’s playoff hopes, the Green Bay Packers rolled to a 38-10 victory over the limping San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

With the win, the Packers improved to 8-3 to remain in full control of their path to the postseason. The 49ers fell to 5-6 and in further danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

The Packers picked up the win against a 49ers team that was missing several key starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder), All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) were also among the 49ers’ inactives.

With Brandon Allen starting at quarterback for the 49ers, the Packers took early control and a 17-0 lead in the second quarter as San Francisco managed just six offensive plays in the game’s first 23:37. The 49ers put together their first successful drive of the day to end the second quarter with a touchdown that sparked hopes of a rally before receiving the second half kickoff.

But Xavier McKinney extinguished those hopes with an interception of Allen midway through the third quarter. McKinney returned the ball 48 yards to San Francisco’s 26-yard line to put the Packers in scoring position.

Three plays later, Josh Jacobs ran for his second touchdown of the day to extend the Packers’ lead to 24-7. A fourth quarter fumble by Allen on a sack allowed the Packers to extend their lead again to 31-10 on Jacobs’ third touchdown of the day.

Packers far from Jordan Love’s knee injury

Jordan Love’s touchdown pass to Malik Heath in the final five minutes punctuated the Packers’ blowout in front of a cheering Lambeau Field crowd. Injuries to the 49ers or not, it added up to a crucial victory for a Packers team that has been on the rebound since a 2-2 start that included a knee injury to Love that was initially feared as potentially season-ending. Instead, Love only missed two games.

Since Love’s return, the Packers have gone 6-2 while producing a top-five offense. Sunday’s win was a well-rounded effort as the Packers forced three turnovers and scored 38 points against one of the NFL’s stronger defenses.

Love finished the day completing 13 of 23 passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. Jacobs added 106 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Green Bay’s defense limited San Francisco’s playmakers in an offense that struggled without Purdy under center. George Kittle was San Francisco’s most potent weapon on the day with six catches for 82 yards. Deebo Samuel caught just one pass for 21 yards and had an 87-yard kickoff return to start the second half called back for a touchdown.

Christian McCaffrey struggled again in his third game back from a calf/Achilles injury. He tallied 68 yards from scrimmage and averaged 2.8 yards on 11 carries. His fumble in the fourth quarter set up Green Bay’s final touchdown.

Allen completed 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble.

It added to another disappointing loss in a once-promising season derailed in part by McCaffrey’s early injury. Now the 49ers sit at 5-6 and on the wrong side of the playoff picture with a remaining schedule that includes games against the Bills, Rams and Lions. They need a lot to go their way to sneak back into the playoff hunt. Purdy’s status for next week’s critical game against the Bills is unclear.

The Packers remain behind the 10-1 Detroit Lions and 9-2 Minnesota Vikings in a loaded NFC North. But they are well ahead of the back of the NFC wild-card pack and in the best position to make the postseason.