Packers come out with three straight runs. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the best strategy for them and they were punting after the Niners stopped Eddie Lacy on third down.
49ers attempted a 4th and 6 from the Packers 35. Kaepernick found Michael Crabtree for 31 yards. It might have been a touchdown if Kaep had hit him in stride, but it got the Niners to the Packers’ 4 nonetheless. For some reason, the 49ers kept opting to pass from the goal line. On first down, Kaepernick rolled right then forced a ball back to the middle of the field and was fortunate not to be intercepted. It was so dumb, the Niners just had to do it again. San Francisco had to settle for a field goal. Still nice to have a 3-0 lead though Jim Harbaugh probably could have stood not to blow two of their timeouts six minutes into the game.
After another Green Bay three and out, San Francisco took over near midfield and drove to the Packers 7. Michael Crabtree was mugged in the end zone on a third down pass but no flag was thrown. Phil Dawson’s 25-yard field goal made it 6-0, though probably should have been 10-0 at that point.
San Francisco’s defense continued to shut down the Packers offense and quickly got the ball back. The Niners had the ball on the Packers’ 32 with a chance to really take control when Kaepernick had a pass to Vernon Davis hang too long in the air and was intercepted by Tramon Williams.
After being allowed to hang around so long, it was only natural the Packers would come to life, as has been their wont this season. A 14-play, 70-yard drive ended with a Jordy Nelson touchdown reception to give the Packers a 7-6 lead.
A 42-yard run by Kaep set the Niners up to answer. Two plays later and Frank Gore was taking it into the end zone from 10 yards out. The Packers still has two and a half minutes with which to work. Green Bay moved the ball and got within the Niners’ 20 but a 3rd and 2 dumpoff to James Starks fell at hid feet so Green Bay couldn’t take the lead back, making it 13-10 at half.