SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- You can officially say the Green Bay Packers are off to a fast start. Coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t willing to concede that last week when his team was 3-0 after Monday night’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
He said he wanted to see his team start 4-0 before he would agree that one of the biggest focuses of this offseason had come to fruition.
Sunday’s 17-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers was more of a grind-it-out game – the Packers led only 7-3 at halftime – but they have nothing to apologize for. Starting fast has been a priority before but after starting 2-2 each of the last three seasons (and they had to win their fourth game each time to do it), it was a must this year.
What it means: The Packers have exorcised another demon. Just like they did two weeks ago against the Seahawks, they beat another NFC West foe that had given them all kinds of trouble. It was their first win over 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who had beaten them three times (including twice in the playoffs), and it should establish the Packers as the team to beat in the NFC.
What were they thinking? An offensive line that had been so good in pass protection all year had some trouble with the 49ers' front. Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked only three times in the first three games combined, was sacked twice. The line also was called for three holding penalties (two by Josh Sitton and one on David Bakhtiari). Guard T.J. Lang also had a false start.
One reason to be optimistic: The Packers' defense might have made more plays than their offense did. They sacked Kaepernick six times (two by Nick Perry and one each by Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Jayrone Elliott and Mike Neal). Then Sam Shields made a leaping interception on a deep pass intended for Anquan Boldin in the fourth quarter.
One reason to panic: The Packers had only one dropped pass in the first three games combined; they dropped a pair against the 49ers. Ty Montgomery dropped a deep ball, potentially an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage, and Randall Cobb dropped a ball on a short crossing route in the third quarter.
Fantasy watch: You can’t forget about John Kuhn when it comes to goal-line situations. The veteran fullback’s 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter marked the eighth straight season that Kuhn has scored at least one rushing touchdown.
Ouch: Cobb appeared to fall hard on his sprained right shoulder late in the first half when he tried to make a catch in the end zone. He went to the sideline but returned after missing only one play. He caught only one pass (for 3 yards) in the second half to finish with five catches for 44 yards. Safety Sean Richardson went to the locker room in the second half to receive treatment for cramps but returned.
What’s next: Rodgers puts his Lambeau Field interception-free streak on the line Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception at home since Week 13 of the 2012 season.