3 ways 49ers were able to contain Aaron Rodgers, Packers

No. 1: 49ers kept Aaron Rodgers from easy scoring opportunities and countless possessions

The 49ers needed to command the clock and limit the offensive drives Aaron Rodgers had to score in this game. Even though the Packers narrowly won the time-of-possession battle, the Niners made enough plays to keep Rodgers from putting together long drives.

The Packers defended the run very well, keeping running back Elijah Mitchell from any explosive runs, but San Francisco stayed true to the game plan, dedicated to the run.

Mitchell was leaned upon heavily in this game, and his carries helped run enough time off the clock to give the defense a breather for the next drive. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel chipped in with 10 important carries of his own, and the 49ers collectively ran the ball 29 times.

Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t gift Aaron Rodgers any simple scoring chances

In the Week 3 contest, the Niners lost the turnover battle by a margin of minus-2, allowing Rodgers too many chances to score against a depleted secondary. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a deep pass that was picked off in the second quarter and then fumbled the ball away in the fourth, setting up the Packers with an easy field goal.

Saturday night, Garoppolo started off placing the ball in tight windows, but his team dropped several of his catchable balls. The Packers were after Garoppolo from the first drive, but he stayed in and delivered some nice passes, albeit to no avail.

It is common for Jimmy G to throw at least one inexplicable interception a game, giving the opposing team an easy opportunity to score points. As San Francisco was finally moving the ball at the end of the second quarter, Garoppolo decided to roll out to escape harm and saw tight end George Kittle open towards the sideline.

A pass thrown two seconds earlier might have resulted in a Kittle completion, but the ball arrived late and was picked off, giving the Packers possession at their own 4-yard line.

If there is a silver lining with this turnover, it is that Green Bay couldn’t convert the interception into any points, thanks to the blocked field goal by Jimmie Ward. There were not many offensive heroes on this night, but at least Garoppolo didn’t end up costing his team the game with his performance.