We hand out a pair of game balls to the San Francisco 49ers from the Niners’ heartbreaking last-second loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers under the lights on Monday Night Football.
On Tuesday’s Locked On 49ers Podcast, host Brian Peacock provided a rundown of the Niners’ game — including game notes and key takeaways — and handed out two game balls from the San Francisco 49ers’ near-upset of the Green Bay Packers in Week 6 of the 2018 NFL regular season.
After what will hopefully be the 49ers’ worst game of the 2018 season, San Francisco put up a fight during their Week 6 matchup at Lambeau Field, as the team held the lead over Green Bay from the second quarter until the two-minute warning. Unfortunately, the Niners allowed the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers to stay within a score in the closing minutes of the game. Two drives later, Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby finished the 49ers off as he booted his fourth field goal of the day through the uprights as time expired.
Although the 49ers weren’t able to pull off the upset, their players showed heart by rebounding after last week’s poor showing. Our weekly game balls go to two Niners who kept San Francisco in the game with their strong offensive performances:
49ers QB C.J. Beathard
After losing the game for his team in Week 5, 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard came to play against Green Bay on Monday Night Football, and outplayed Rodgers over much of the game. Beathard was nearly perfect in the first half of the contest, as the QB connected with wide receiver Marquise Goodwin on a pair of long touchdown passes.
Although he was in an obvious groove, Beathard wasn’t given the opportunity to continue at the same pace in the second half. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made an obvious attempt to milk the clock, although San Francisco only held a one-score lead. Then, at the end of a passive second half, Beathard picked the wrong time to take a risky shot downfield, after he was given great field position and had minimal yardage to gain for a game-winning field goal try.
On a crucial third down, instead of going with a high-percentage throw, Beathard elected to air it out deep to Goodwin. Unfortunately, the duo’s first-half magic was gone, as the poorly thrown pass was intercepted by Green Bay. Given one final opportunity, Rodgers — with a bit of help from the officiating crew — led the Packers down the field to victory.
Even though the 49ers weren’t able to leave Lambeau Field with a win, Beathard played near peak levels until the final drives of the game. When a backup quarterback hangs tough against a future Hall-of-Fame QB, he deserves a weekly game ball:
49ers WR Marquise Goodwin
As 49ers top wide receiver Marquise Goodwin returned to the field from injury on Monday, so did the explosiveness of San Francisco’s offense. A week after each of the Niners’ wideouts failed to average over 10 yards a reception, Goodwin averaged over 30 yards per catch against the Packers on Monday night.
A healthy Goodwin is the missing piece the 49ers’ offense has lacked in 2018, as his ability to stretch the field gives the Niners a true deep threat, while also opening up San Francisco’s intermediate passing game. Goodwin’s blazing speed combined with his improved route-running skills places cornerbacks into constant conflict; when corners try to keep pace with the wideout, he shows off his ability to score from anywhere on the field, but when defensive backs respect his deep game, Goodwin simply works his way open for easy receptions.
Goodwin finished the contest with 126 yards on four catches, including touchdown scores of 67 and 30 yards. If Goodwin remains healthy, expect more of the same from the San Francisco 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver:
Listen to Locked On 49ers host Brian Peacock’s review of the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football — including game notes and key takeaways from the Niners’ last-second loss — on Tuesday’s Rapid React podcast:
About the Author: Chris Wilson
