Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn’t think the 29-point gap between his team and the San Francisco 49ers is based only on talent.
The Packers fell behind 23-0 at halftime and lost 37-8 on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, but Rodgers credited the difference on the scoreboard to individual execution.
“The gap is execution, it’s not ability, it’s not talent, it’s execution,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “On paper and lining up we feel really good about our squad against anybody. But execution is the main divider between teams that put that performance on the board like they did and the way we played. I think things would be a little different the next time, as far as the way we execute.”
Despite coming off the bye, the Packers struggled early and never really got into the game in San Francisco.
Rodgers lost a fumble on third down on the first series, setting up a one-play touchdown drive for the 49ers to start the game.
Another stagnant and uninspiring start on offense led to a big early deficit, and the Packers didn’t get on the scoreboard until the 49ers led 23-0 in the third quarter.
Rodgers attempted 33 passes and produced only 104 passing yards, and neither Aaron Jones nor Davante Adams – the team’s two best offensive playmakers – had a difference-making impact.
“Look at the game, we didn’t get the ball to 33 in space, we didn’t run the ball very well, we didn’t get the ball to Davante down the field. We didn’t really do any of what has been helping us win,” Rodgers said.
For the second time in three games, the Packers failed to avoid early-down mistakes and consistently faced difficult down and distances, which fed right into the way the 49ers wanted to play defense against Rodgers and the passing game.
Rodgers said better execution on first and second down, especially in the run game, would be important if the Packers get another chance to face the 49ers in the postseason.
Confidence doesn’t appear to be fading. Rodgers knows the Packers have go-to players in Adams and Jones, and he’s still confident others at the receiver position, such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard and Jake Kumerow, can get open and make plays, even as their production has flatlined over the last month.
Rodgers thinks a faster start and better execution on third down will solve most of the Packers’ problems.
“If you look at the two losses, we gave up a number of sacks, we had a lot of penalties, we started terribly in each game,” Rodgers said. “That just changes the whole dynamic of the football game.”