The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations took a significant hit on Sunday as they were thoroughly dominated by the Green Bay Packers in a 38-10 rout at Lambeau Field. With several key starters sidelined, including quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers looked nothing like the NFC powerhouse fans have come to expect.
Backup quarterback Brandon Allen, making his first NFL start since 2021, put up respectable numbers (17/29, 199 yards, 1 TD) but couldn’t overcome a cascade of team-wide failures. The 49ers‘ typically stout defense crumbled, allowing Packers running back Josh Jacobs to become the first player in 55 regular-season games to eclipse 100 yards rushing against San Francisco – a streak dating back to 2021.
The injury-plagued 49ers were missing crucial playmakers, with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), defensive star Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), and quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) all watching from the sidelines. Even Christian McCaffrey, their dynamic running back, appeared hampered by ongoing Achilles tendinitis, managing just 31 yards on 11 carries.
The game’s turning point came early in the third quarter when a potential momentum-shifting 87-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel was nullified by a holding penalty. From there, the wheels came off as San Francisco committed three turnovers in five possessions, each leading to Packers touchdowns.
“That’s about as bad as it can get,” admitted 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, referring to a first half where the team missed 15 tackles and committed nine penalties. “It was probably the worst I’ve been a part of.”
Despite the crushing defeat, the 49ers remain just one game out of first place in the NFC West, thanks to Arizona’s loss to Seattle. However, with a crucial matchup against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills looming next week, head coach Kyle Shanahan faces urgent questions about Purdy’s availability, his team’s sudden vulnerability, and his job performance.
For the proud San Francisco franchise, this loss serves as a stark reminder that even the most talented teams can look ordinary when missing key pieces.
The road ahead looks challenging for the 49ers, but in the unpredictable landscape of the NFL, one brutal loss doesn’t define a season. The bigger question now is how quickly they can get healthy and recapture the dominant form that made them Super Bowl favorites.
