San Francisco 49ers: Revisiting the Franchise’s NFL-Leading Week 1 Winning Streak
By Peter Panacy
2012 — at the Green Bay Packers
49ers 30, Packers 22
Through the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Green Bay Packers owned the 49ers in almost every meaningful contest, with the exception of “The Catch II.”
All that stopped in 2012 though. And even with quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Niners turned the table on Green Bay in what became an impressive, albeit brief, domination of the green and gold.
Keep in mind, the days of quarterback Colin Kaepernick running over the Packers hadn’t quite happened yet. The playoffs were a ways down the road when the Niners knocked off the Packers 30-22 at Lambeau in Week 1.
Quarterbacks Rodgers and Alex Smith each exchanged two touchdown passes, and Rodgers even managed to throw for 303 yards against a stalwart San Francisco defense.
But Rodgers’ one interception, picked off by linebacker NaVorro Bowman, and three sacks taken proved to be the difference.
San Francisco never trailed in the game. And running back Frank Gore continued his storied red-and-gold legacy with a 112-yard, one-touchdown effort.
The 49ers were well on their way to a Super Bowl berth with this victory over one of the NFL’s best.
Next: 2013 versus the Green Bay Packers