Game grades from 49ers resilient divisional round win over Packers

San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) scores a touchdown on a blocked punt during the fourth quarter of the Green Bay Packers 13-10 divisional playoff game loss at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.Packers 3881
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) scores a touchdown on a blocked punt during the fourth quarter of the Green Bay Packers 13-10 divisional playoff game loss at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.Packers 3881 /
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49ers, Arik Armstead
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Defensive Grades

After the Packers scored a touchdown in the first 6 minutes of the game, the 49ers proceeded to hold them to 3 points for the rest of the game. Down a starting cornerback against an elite offense, what the 49ers were able to do was nothing short of incredible.

49ers Defensive line

For a little bit, it seemed that the 49ers had no push on the defensive line. They couldn’t stop the run or get to Aaron Rodgers in time. But then things began to change as the game progressed. 5-yard runs became 2-yard runs, and some completions were no longer thrown as the pass rush got home. The 49ers finished with 5 sacks and held the Packers rushing attack to 3.4 YPC. That’s incredible play from an elite unit that has peaked at the right time.

Grade: A

49ers Linebackers

Fred Warner forced the 49ers defense’s only takeaway of the game with a classic punch-out of the football on Mercedes Lewis. Up to that point, the linebackers had been going through a rough patch, especially on the first drive by the Packers. But just like the defensive line, they became more apparent as the game progressed. Both Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw finished with six total tackles and Azeez Al-Shaair followed with 3 of his own.

Grade: B

49ers Secondary

With the corners the 49ers have, there was never a chance of “erasing Davante Adams.” But the 49ers secondary made do with what they had and held the Packers passing attack to only 225 yards in the air before you include sacks. They bracketed Adams and played strong coverage on the other receivers, bending but never breaking.

Grade: A-