With the start of the 49ers season just days away, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed.
The following is the second installment of From the Stands. I'm not just sharing my memories but inviting you to be part of this journey, making this a collective recollection of our shared love for the 49ers. See the bottom of this article with instructions on how you can participate.
Most pro football fans have a list of games they'd like to see and places they would like to see them before they perish or "kick the bucket." Please share the bucket list games you've attended and those you still hope to see.
I have been fortunate to watch the Niners play at several stadiums: Kezar, Candlestick, Levi's, the Oakland Coliseum, SoFi, Allegiant, Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, and AT&T Stadium, aka Jerry World, in Arlington, Texas.
Two years ago, my adult son and I made a pilgrimage to Green Bay for a playoff showdown on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field against the NFC's top-seeded Packers. It was the best bad-weather I've attended. And, yes, the venue and the epic finish made it a bucket list moment.
San Francisco 49ers 13
Green Bay Packers 10
NFC Divisional Playoffs
January 22, 2022
The weather was dreadfully cold, with the wind chill dropping to minus 10 degrees by the game's end. So, we did our best to dress accordingly, wearing three layers of clothing: a pair of long johns, jeans, a sweater, a ski bib, a wool coat, a scarf, and a ski mask. Plus, we put hot hand warmers in our boots and gloves. And I promise you we were not overdressed, nor did my feet ever feel warm.
We got to our seats well before kickoff, which gave us ample time to view and comprehend Lambeau Field, pro football's hallowed ground. At some point, my son hatched the hair-brained idea that it would be cool if he removed his clothes and posed bare-chested in the sub-freezing cold as evidence that he visited Lambeau. Surprisingly, he reached that conclusion clear-eyed and alcohol-free. I couldn't wrap my mind around what he was about to subject himself to, but I appreciated his moxie. So, we shot the photo, meaning he took off three layers of clothes, and I pointed and shot the camera on my iPhone.
Game On
The 49ers came into the game fresh off back-to-back road wins against the Rams and Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Packers were undefeated at home and coming off a bye as the conference's top-seeded team.
On their opening drive, Green Bay marched down the field for 69 yards and a touchdown, as Devonte Adams made three catches, all for first downs. A J Dillion capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Packers outplayed the 49ers in the first quarter, outgaining San Francisco 109 yards to minus-seven and holding the Niners to three "three-and-outs" to start the game.
Fortunately, Fred Warner kept the contest close by punching the ball loose from Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis for a turnover. Soon after, George Kittle got open over the middle but dropped a would-be touchdown.
Jimmy Garoppolo's first completion came 23 and a half minutes into the game. Finally, the Niners got their offense untracked but blew a scoring opportunity when an indecisive Garoppolo threw a red zone interception at the Packer's 4-yard line.
It appeared the half would close with a whimper. However, on a third and three from the Packers' 10-yard line-- with just 40 seconds remaining before intermission—Aaron Jones got behind the 49ers' secondary on a busted coverage. He went down the right sideline 75 yards on a catch and run. Jones would have scored if not for the hustle of Jaquiski Tartt, who sprinted from the far side of the field and caught Jones from behind at the 16-yard line.
On the next play, Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass, looking to add to the lead, but he nearly fumbled the ball away when Nick Bosa hit him. The Packers recovered. They lined up and spiked the ball, and Mason Crosby came out to attempt a 39-yard field goal. But Jimmy Ward broke through the line and blocked the field goal try to end the frame.
So, despite gaining a sizable statistical advantage, the Packers led just 7-0 as the first half ended.
The hustle plays by Tartt and blocked field goal by Ward would loom large in this game.
This article is the second installment in a series we call From the Stands. I'm not just sharing my memories, but I'm also inviting you to be part of this journey. What are your recollections of the Packers/ Niners 2021 Division Playoff Game and Robbie Gould's game-winning field goal. Reach out to me via email (jjopelt@gmail.com) or a tweet at (from_the_stands@#49ers). Remember to leave your name and city of residence and check in because your comments may feature in a future article, making this a collective recollection of our shared love for the 49ers.