5 takeaways from Packers’ win over 49ers

GREEN BAY – The Packers pulled away in the second half for a 38-10 victory over the 49ers on Sunday at Lambeau Field to improve to 8-3.

Here are five takeaways from the triumph:

1. The 49ers were really banged up, and the Packers made it look like it.

San Francisco was missing not just four starters to injury, but four major pieces to the squad, two on each side of the ball in QB Brock Purdy, left tackle Trent Williams, edge rusher Nick Bosa and cornerback Chavarius Ward.

Forgive the Packers, who have played multiple games without QB Jordan Love, top corner Jaire Alexander, and others, if they weren’t feeling sorry for their opponent.

“They were down a lot of pieces,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s the reality of this league. I think for us, you have to take advantage of those opportunities.”

The Packers did, putting together three straight scoring drives to start the game, sandwiched around a pair of San Francisco three-and-outs with QB Brandon Allen starting his first NFL game in three years.

“It was critical,” LaFleur said of the fast start. “Especially when you’re playing a team with a backup quarterback, to build a lead and kind of put them in a tough spot.”

On the third scoring drive, for a touchdown, Love hit receiver Romeo Doubs to convert three consecutive third downs covering 54 yards on his way to a 107.7 passer rating (13-of-23, 163 yards, two TDs, no INTs).

“That’s the way we want to start the game,” Love said.

2. Green Bay’s ground game was dominant.

The Packers pounded their way to 169 rushing yards on 42 attempts, led by Josh Jacobs with 109 yards and a career-best three TDs on 26 totes.

Green Bay faked end-arounds on some runs and went straight at San Francisco on others. Jacobs was an absolute beast, leaving the game for a stretch with cramping and going to the locker room before later returning to the game.

“You know that No. 8 out there?” LaFleur said, referring to Jacobs’ jersey number. “Did you see how many tackles … how many people he made miss? It was pretty impressive. I think early on that got us going.”

If not for the brief absence, Jacobs probably would’ve topped 30 carries for the second time this season, and he looked so strong it wasn’t a concern for LaFleur even with another game coming up right away Thursday night.

“That’s one guy that I don’t worry about is Josh Jacobs,” LaFleur said. “That guy is an animal. He is a dog and a dog competitor. He definitely relishes those opportunities.”