Packers outplayed on both sides of the ball in loss to 49ers

The Green Bay Packers lost their first season opener since 2006 on Sunday, 30-22 to the San Francisco 49ers.

The loss ended a string of 13 regular season home victories for the Packers, who were outplayed on both sides of the ball.

A tight San Francisco defense held Green Bay to just 45 rushing yards. The Packer defense gave up 186 rushing yards and 49ers quarterback Alex Smith completed key passes when he needed to.

Many regarded the contest as a preview of the NFC Championship Game, after Green Bay had 15 wins and San Francisco 14 before they both lost to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in last season’s playoffs.

Packers corner Tramon Williams said the 49ers got their win, and he promised they’d see each other in the post-season.

David Akers booted three goals for the Niners, including an NFL record-tying 63-yard shot that hit the crossbar and bounced over to end the first half.

The Niners were up 23-7 early in the final period when Randall Cobb ran back a 75-yard punt for a touchdown and Jordy Nelson caught a two-point conversion to get the Packers to within eight.

But the game’s only turnover, an interception by Aaron Rodgers, resulted in a 23-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore which put the Niners up by 15 again.

Rodgers then led the Pack on a 76-yard drive capped by a 10-yard scoring pass to James Jones. The 49ers’ defense and running game took control the rest of the way.

San Francisco ended a string of nine straight losses to Green Bay, which will regroup quickly and host the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.

Last in NFC North

The Packers are in last place in the NFC North Division after the other three teams all won their openers yesterday.

The Chicago Bears crushed the sluggish Indianapolis Colts 41-21 at Soldier Field. Newly signed Brandon Marshall had 119 receiving yards and a score for the Bears. Top draft pick Andrew Luck tossed three interceptions with a fumble, while throwing for 309 yards and a score for Indy.

Minnesota topped Jacksonville 26-23 in overtime at the Metrodome. Blair Walsh booted a 38-yard field goal.

Detroit beat St. Louis at home, 27-23. Matthew Stafford threw a five-yard T-D pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds left.

Replacement refs

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said it was difficult to overcome nine penalties his team committed in the first half.

A team of replacement officials threw 18 flags for the game, including 10 against Green Bay. McCarthy said it made it hard for his offense to get in a rhythm.

Rodgers completed 30 of 44 passes for 303 yards and two scores, including a one-yarder to Jermichael Finley in the first half. Rodgers was also Green Bay’s top rusher with five scrambles for 27 yards, but he was sacked three times.

Cedric Benson was held to just 18 yards as the Packers’ starting running back. Cobb caught nine passes without a drop for 77 yards.

Gore ran for 112 yards on 16 carries for San Francisco.

Michael Crabtree led the 49er receivers with seven catches for 76 yards. Smith was 20 of 26 for 211 yards and two scores, including a 14-yarder to Randy Moss who was wide open in the end zone.

Moss, who returned after a year of retirement, caught four passes for 47 yards.

Green Bay had converted just one of 11 third downs going into the fourth quarter before the offense stepped up.

The 49ers converted just two of 9 third downs for the game, as the Packers sacked Smith four times.

Clay Matthews had two and a half sacks. Still, the 49ers outgained the Pack in total yards, 377 to 324. They held the ball six minutes longer.