The Packers defense had trouble containing the 49ers passing game in the first half, and that trend continued as Colin Kaepernick and Anquan Boldin connected three times on San Francisco's opening possession of the second half. A play-action toss to Vernon Davis in the end zone put the 49ers up 21-14 with 9:46 remaining in the quarter, and the Packers defense looked gassed and outclassed.
Mike McCarthy seemed determined to get the Packers running game in gear, but after inconsequential carries from Eddie Lacy and a clutch tackle on Randall Cobb from Eric Reid (who had come up with the earlier interception), the Packers were forced to punt.
The Packers D was finally able to shut down the 49ers offense for a series, forcing two Kaepernick incompletions and a limited Frank Gore run. The ensuing possession saw a slightly more positive result from the running game. Two Lacy runs set up a 3rd-and-short, and Aaron Rodgers drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Navarro Bowman on a short scramble.
Two excellent catches by Randall Cobb set up a vintage Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson, and just like that, the game was tied up at 21. In all, Rodgers pushed the Pack upfield 69 yards in just seven plays, taking just 2:48 to get to the end zone.
Green Bay's ability to contain San Francisco's passing game was short-lived, but on the next drive their ability to stop the run kept Kaepernick and co. at bay. The 49ers drove into the red zone, but with time running down in the quarter Clay Matthews exploded into the backfield, bringing down Kaepernick for a huge sack. Time expired with the game still tied at 21.
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