San Francisco 49ers: The Good And The Bad From Sunday’s Win vs. Packers

Aug 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws a pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during the first quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off an impressive victory over the Green Bay Packers, 34-28 in front of a soldout crowd at Candlestick Park. Colin Kaepernick threw for over 400 yards, Anquan Boldin had over 200 receiving yards, and Vernon Davis caught two touchdowns. All in all, a very impressive Week 1 victory against a high-caliber team in the Packers.

The 49ers victory in Fox’s version of “America’s Game of The Week” showed to the national audience that Kaepernick is no fluke and that the 49ers squad is as capable of any team in the NFL of getting to the Super Bowl in February at Metlife Stadium.

The schedule only gets harder, as San Francisco travels to the intimidating CenturyLink field to take on the Seattle Seahawks, their stingy defense and deafening croud. The Seahawks will have a lot on their plate with the 49ers, but San Francisco can iron out a few things this week in preparation for their Sunday Night showdown with Seattle.

San Francisco’s open field tackling was below average at many points during the game. Green Bay receivers got many yards after their receptions, most notably a 5 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers that Jordy Nelson made into a 15 yard gain for a first down. San Francisco’s defenders have got to improve on wrapping up their defenders and giving them minimal yards after catch (YAC).

However, one of the most important plays of the game came when San Francisco’s defense kept Nelson from getting out-of-bounds in the final seconds of the game, setting up a desperation play for Green Bay to win.

There was also more than a few occasions in which the play clock would run out on Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense, resulting in either a five yard penalty, or the need for Jim Harbaugh to burn a timeout. Luckily, the used timeouts did not backfire on the 49ers offense.

This is clearly the part of Kaepernick’s game that needs the most practice, and it will be as hard as ever against the extremely loud 12th man in Seattle. Let’s see if Kaepernick has trouble in getting any plays off.

Let’s not get crazy here, though. The 49ers will gladly take a 1-0 start and not be in danger of falling two games behind Seattle for the division lead. There were also many outstanding players and moments that cannot go unnoticed.

Joe Flacco, thank you for taking your overpaid contract – without that, Baltimore would still have the cap space to keep Anquan Boldin, who EXPLODED with 208 receiving yards and a touchdown. So much for taking some time to click with Kaepernick. Plus, every 49er fan at somepoint was asking the question “What if Crabtree and Manningham were HEALTHY!?!?!”

(P.S. Trent Balkee – sign Kaepernick long term for cheap now before his value skyrockets – he is the real deal, and the more time you wait for him to prove that, the more money he will be getting.)

Aldon Smith sack #1 – check. Sack #2 – check. Pressure to avoid Aaron Rodgers to make a throw into the end-zone to win the game (while also picking up his third sack) – check. Ladies and gentlemen, he is good.

The other half of the Smith Bros, Justin, looked recovered from his triceps injury nicely, which should be noted.

Don’t worry Eddie Lacy, it will only get easier from here. The 49ers run defense is the best in football, and expect to see some more openings against the Redskins, and get more than 41 yards. Before I say goodbye, thanks for that fumble that probably cost your team the game.

Eric Reid, the 18th overall pick by the 49ers, earned his starting spot in training camp, and after an interception and a series of brutal hits, it brings up the question, Dashon who?

It was said that Vernon Davis would have to have a connection with Kaepernick to help make up for the absence of Michael Crabtree. Two touchdowns and 98 yards receiving should temporarily silent some of the skeptics.

Sorry, this isn’t the winning article in the game show “Find a 49ers article that doesn’t highlight Colin Kaepernick.” Green Bay has learned that there is no way to defend  the third year quarterback out of Nevada. In the NFC Divisional playoff game last season, they took away the pass (well, sort of – he still threw for 263), but he ran for 181. This offseason, they couldn’t shut up about how they will not let Kaepernick get anything on the run.

Well, congratulations  Green Bay. You sacked him a couple times and there was not one designed run play for Kaepernick in which he gained positive yardage, and you only held him to 22 yards on the ground.

Pat yourselves on the back. You did it. You stopped the run.

But the three minutes and forty-three seconds you spent all offseason on how to defend the pass hurt you, big time. Kaepernick threw for 412 yards with no interceptions, thanks in large part to many Packers defenders so zoned in on whether or not number seven would run the ball.

Try to give him a cheap shot to take him out? (cough cough Clay Matthews). “If intimidation is your game plan, then get a new one.” That line could go down in history. He has played in the biggest spotlight, nothing will fear the franchise quarterback.

Run. Pass. He can do it all, and you can’t stop both. Pick Your Poison.

Good Luck, NFL.