San Francisco 49ers: Revisiting the Franchise’s NFL-Leading Week 1 Winning Streak
By Peter Panacy
2013 — versus the Green Bay Packers
49ers 34, Packers 28
Wouldn’t you know it? The 49ers opened back-to-back seasons against the Packers. And it was more of the same results.
Albeit with some different contributors.
By 2013, quarterback Colin Kaepernick had taken over the primary signal-caller duties. Former QB Alex Smith had been sent off to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Niners looked to be en route to another deep playoff push after a tough loss in Super Bowl XLVII.
Kaepernick torched Green Bay in the playoffs the year before. And he did so again in Week 1, although it was with his arm and not his legs.
Kap finished the contest with 412 passing yards and three touchdowns. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had a commendable 333-yard, three-touchdown performance as well. But this contest was Kaepernick’s to brag about.
Even if Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews took a late shot at Kap, which drew ire from left tackle Joe Staley.
Oh, and we can’t forget about wide receiver Anquan Boldin, whom the Niners acquired via a trade earlier that offseason.
Boldin’s 208-yard performance was another note of accolade — one which 49ers fans could only hope for in 2016.
Next: 2014 at the Dallas Cowboys