It was the season many proclaimed as the “Last Dance.” The season where it seemed like the Lombardi Trophy might finally come home. The season where quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers might finally get over the hump in the NFC.

And… it all came to an utterly disappointing end after the San Francisco 49ers stunned the Green Bay Packers 13-10 on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.

The 49ers won the toss and deferred, so the Packers were the first to take the field. They opened up the game with a picture-perfect drive that never even consisted of a third down play. On 2^nd and 6, Rodgers connected with wide receiver Davante Adams for 14 yards to move the chains. Then, on 2^nd and 11, Rodgers hit running back Aaron Jones off a short pass and, with help from several blockers along the way, Jones rumbled and stumbled for a 19-yard gain.

From there, on 2^nd and 10, Rodgers and Adams continued to cook, and they picked up 10 yards off a pass play to move the chains. After that, 12 and 17 connected again for 11 yards to propel the Packers into the red zone. Then, running back AJ Dillon took over and, on 2^nd and 5, rushed for 6 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Mason Crosby’s extra point was good, and the Packers took an early 7-0 lead.  

Green Bay’s defense came out with the same intensity their offense did on their first drive, too. They quickly earned a three and out against San Francisco and linebacker Za'Darius Smith was back on the field for the first time since week and came up with a monster 9-yard sack on third down to force the punt.

At this moment in time, it seemed like the Packers would absolutely control this game. The offense drove down the field with ease and the defense looked locked in. However, what unfolded the remainder of the game was pure and almost really unfathomable disappointment.

On the offense’s next drive, they started off hot again with two first down rushes from Jones and Dillon for 14- and 3-yard pickups to move the chains, respectively. However, the offensive momentum was quickly squashed after tight end Marcedes Lewis fumbled and the 49ers recovered it their own 42-yard line.

After that, the 49ers continued to go nowhere against the Packers defense and Green Bay’s offense just kept on stalling. On the next five possessions (three from San Fran and two from Green Bay) both teams went three and out.

With about twelve minutes remaining in the first half, the Packers finally converted on third down after Rodgers and Adams connected for an 8-yard pass play. However, Green Bay couldn’t move the chains on the next set of downs and was, once again, forced to punt.

The 49ers responded with a spark of their own on offense, embarking on a drive that stretched 11 plays, 58 yards and ate up almost six minutes off the clock (EPSN stats). However, that momentum came to a screeching halt after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s pass was intercepted by safety Adrian Amos in the red zone with just one minute left in the half.

With a little luck back on their side, the offense did what they could to take advantage of this unexpected gift. And, for a minute there, it seemed like things would continue to work in their favor. On 3^rd and 3 pinned at their own 11, Rodgers connected with Aaron Jones who was left wide open and took off for what resulted in a 75-yard gain for the Packers. However, Crosby’s 39-yard field goal was blocked, and the big play resulted in zero points for Green Bay. What none of us knew was that this was only foreshadowing for the special teams nightmare that was about to unfold.

San Fran started with the ball to open the half and finally started to break down Green Bay’s feisty defense. On 3^rd and 1, running back Elijah Mitchell rushed for 5 yards to move the chains. Then, on 2^nd and 9, Jimmy G connected with wide receiver Deebo Samuel for a big 18-yard pickup to move the chains and put the 49ers in the red zone. However, a defensive hold later in the drive really killed San Fran’s rhythm and they were forced to settle for a field goal. Their 29-yard attempt was good, and they cut the Packers’ lead to 7-3.

Both teams would go three and out on their next possessions. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark had a big 6-yard sack on third down that forced the 49ers to punt. At this point, Green Bay just needed to desperately get points on the board, and, whether it was 3 or 6, I don’t think anyone cared as long as it wasn’t another three and out. Luckily, the Packers came through and started to find a little something on offense again.

On 3^rd and 1, Jones pushed his way up the middle for a 2-yard gain to move the chains. Then, on 3^rd and 1 again, the Packers looked to Jones to get the job done. After that, on 1^st and 10, Rodgers connected with Adams for a big 25-yard gain to move the chains for a first down. On the next play, the 49ers were flagged for defensive holding which resulted in 5 free yards for the Packers and an automatic first down.

On 3^rd and 4, for the first time all game a receiver not named Davante Adams caught a pass for Green Bay after Allen Lazard converted for 6-yards. But, all that still wasn’t enough and the Packers had to look to Crosby again and hope and pray special teams wouldn’t mess up. This time, they pulled through, and Crosby’s 33-yard attempt was good and Green Bay extended their lead to 10-3.

With a quarter of football left in this one, the 49ers were doing anything and everything they could to stick around and crush the Packers’ dreams. On 2^nd and 2, fullback Kyle Juszczyk pushed his way up the middle for a 13-yard gain to move the chains. Then, on 3^rd and 11, Jimmy G connected with tight end George Kittle for a 24-yard reception and the first down to put San Fran at the edge of the red zone. Then, after coming up short a yard on third down at Green Bay’s 19, San Fran decided to go for it. But, just as they did all night long, the Packers defense came through and Rashan Gary and De’Vondre Campbell were there to make a huge stop and force a turnover on downs.

Despite a stellar performance from the defense, the offense and special teams decided to continue to make life difficult. Rodgers and company went three out again and, special teams finally made a mistake costly enough to ruin the Packers’ entire season. What unraveled next was truly soul sucking. Green Bay’s punt was blocked at their own 12-yard line and San Fran recovered it for a touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 with just under five minutes left.

After that, the Packers offense, you guessed it, went three and out and the 49ers would have the final chance to win it Saturday night at Lambeau Field.

On 1^st and 10 with the clock ticking away, Jimmy G connected with Kittle for 12 yards over the middle to move the chains and put the 49ers just short of mid-field. After that, on 2^nd and 6, Samuel picked up 14-yards off a pass play to move the chains and creep into field goal territory. And, on 3^rd and 7 with one minute remaining, Samuel delivered yet another sucker punch to the Packers after rushing for 9 yards to move the chains and put the 49ers in position to win it with a field goal.

With four seconds remaining, the 49ers attempted a 45-yard field goal and drilled it right down the middle of the uprights to end the Packers’ season with a 13-10 win as time expired. Oh… and Green Bay only had 10 guys on the field for the last play.

What we learned: New year, same heartbreak

In a lot of ways, it felt like this was the year the Packers finally had all of the pieces they needed to be a championship team. Yet, here we are again, staring a disappointing home playoff loss in the face wondering “how did this happen?”

What went right: Defense

God bless Green Bay’s defense and what they did Saturday night. The 49ers have an electric offense and the Packers absolutely dominated them on defense. If only the offense and special teams did their part.

What went wrong: Special teams and offense

If you’ve been following my recaps all season long, you’ve seen “special teams” under “what went wrong” probably more than eighty percent of the time. And, I repeatedly said if Green Bay never fixed their issues with this third phase it could cost them their entire season. Well, that surely came to fruition Saturday because they (along with the offense which I’ll touch on in a second) really choked this one away.

First, Crobsy’s field goal was blocked. I let it slide and hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite the Packers. Then, the blocked punt that turned into a touchdown happened and my body actually went numb, and I thought I was going to puke. Then, Green Bay only sends tens guys out on the field for the game-winning field goal play. At that point, I just started laughing because the pain hurt so much. I mean… I don’t have the words. It was just a whole clown show.

Then there’s Aaron Rodgers and the offense who, apart from the first drive, couldn’t do anything. It was just so uncreative and forced. I’ll never understand it. You can’t win a playoff game with 10 points.

Offensive MVP: Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones did all that he could on Saturday night. I just wish it was enough.

He finished the night leading the team in both rushing and receiving. According to ESPN stats, Jones had 12 carries for 41 yards and 9 receptions for 129 yards.  

Defensive MVP: Rashan Gary

The whole defense was electric, but Rashan Gary really was the center piece for a lot of it. He finished the night with 4 tackles, all of which were solo, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss and 3 QB hits (ESPN stats).

Thanks for following along with my game recaps another season at CheeseheadTV.