Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2021 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-26, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 30–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with +6.96 total EPA, and -2.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.63 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+38.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (:03) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +13.63 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Garoppolo · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +6.96 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Juszczyk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Valdes-Scantling · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +5.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Adams · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.81 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Lazard · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.81 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.81 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Lance · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.73 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Samuel · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Green Bay Packers — D. Adams (Q1 48:23)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Jones (Q2 31:05)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Lance (Q2 30:02)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Aiyuk (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q3 22:45)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Valdes-Scantling (Q4 13:32)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Sermon (Q4 7:51)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Juszczyk (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q4 0:43)

Field goals

• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q1 55:11)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q4 2:43)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 10–0. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the SF 36 (Q1 55:11) — (10:11) 2-M.Crosby 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 48:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass short left to 17-D.Adams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Caught on SF 1. 1-YAC; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 48:19) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q2 31:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 31:02) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 1 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 5-T.Lance in at QB (Shotgun) 5-T.Lance left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q2 30:00) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 8 (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 11-B.Aiyuk for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q3 22:41) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–13. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 12 (Q4 13:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass short left to 83-M.Valdes-Scantling for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 13:27) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 1 (Q4 7:51) — (7:51) 10-J.Garoppolo at QB. 28-T.Sermon left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q4 7:48) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the SF 20 (Q4 2:43) — (2:43) 2-M.Crosby 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 12 (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 44-K.Juszczyk for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 7. 7-YAC; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q4 0:37) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the SF 33 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez. [WPA +38.7% · EPA +1.09]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 5:08) — (5:08) 10-J.Garoppolo sacked at SF 46 for -10 yards (97-K.Clark). FUMBLES (97-K.Clark), RECOVERED by GB-59-D.Campbell at SF 41. 59-D.Campbell to SF 38 for 3 yards (69-M.McGlinchey). GB-97-K.Clark cred [WPA -29.9% · EPA -5.56]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 0:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass deep left to 17-D.Adams to SF 33 for 17 yards (29-T.Hufanga). Caught at SF 33. 0-YAC [WPA +29.6% · EPA +0.92]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 19-D.Samuel to GB 24 for 12 yards (23-J.Alexander) [97-K.Clark]. Caught at GB 24. 0-YAC [WPA +18.6% · EPA +1.55]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 44-K.Juszczyk for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 7. 7-YAC [WPA +17.9% · EPA +3.34]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 5:08) — (5:08) 10-J.Garoppolo sacked at SF 46 for -10 yards (97-K.Clark). FUMBLES (97-K.Clark), RECOVERED by GB-59-D.Campbell at SF 41. 59-D.Campbell to SF 38 for 3 yards (69-M.McGlinchey). GB-97-K.Clark cred [WPA -29.9% · EPA -5.56]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 43:51) — (13:51) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep middle intended for 85-G.Kittle INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Alexander [53-J.Garvin] at GB 38. 23-J.Alexander to SF 32 for 30 yards (85-G.Kittle). [WPA -4.9% · EPA -4.08]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 11:54) — (11:54) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass incomplete deep middle to 11-B.Aiyuk. PENALTY on GB-21-E.Stokes, Defensive Pass Interference, 35 yards, enforced at SF 15 - No Play. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +4.06]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 40:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass incomplete short left to 18-R.Cobb [97-N.Bosa]. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.97]

Quarterback report card

J.Garoppolo led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) · 48 dropbacks · 52.1% completion · -2.1% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +6.96 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 36 dropbacks · 63.9% completion · +15.7% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +13.63 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Green Bay Packers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs +0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +16.88 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, +11.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Green Bay Packers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Rodgers (GB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q1 55:11 · SF 36 · Score 3-0
   (10:11) 2-M.Crosby 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
2. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 48:23 · SF 1 · Score 9-0
   (3:23) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass short left to 17-D.Adams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Caught on SF 1. 1-YAC
3. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 48:19 · SF 15 · Score 10-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
4. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 31:05 · SF 3 · Score 16-0
   (1:05) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 31:02 · SF 15 · Score 17-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
6. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 30:02 · GB 1 · Score 17-6
   (:02) 5-T.Lance in at QB (Shotgun) 5-T.Lance left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · GB 15 · Score 17-7
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
8. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 22:45 · GB 8 · Score 17-13
   (7:45) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 11-B.Aiyuk for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 22:41 · GB 15 · Score 17-14
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
10. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 13:32 · SF 12 · Score 23-14
    (13:32) (Shotgun) 12-Aa.Rodgers pass short left to 83-M.Valdes-Scantling for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 13:27 · SF 15 · Score 24-14
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 7:51 · GB 1 · Score 24-20
    (7:51) 10-J.Garoppolo at QB. 28-T.Sermon left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 7:48 · GB 15 · Score 24-21
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
14. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 2:43 · SF 20 · Score 27-21
    (2:43) 2-M.Crosby 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
15. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 0:43 · GB 12 · Score 27-27
    (:43) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 44-K.Juszczyk for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at GB 7. 7-YAC
16. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 0:37 · GB 15 · Score 27-28
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
17. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · SF 33 · Score 30-28
    (:03) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.