San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers: 2012 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-09, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 30–22 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with +6.87 total EPA, and +6.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Smith (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+9.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (7:11) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 88-J.Finley to SF 24 for 16 yards (22-C.Rogers).

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. Smith · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +11.13 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +6.87 total EPA · 59 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
3. 3 Ja. Jones · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +6.41 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Cobb · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +5.88 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Crabtree · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.71 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
6. 6 F. Gore · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +5.18 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
7. 7 V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Moss · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.05 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

• San Francisco 49ers — R. Moss (A. Smith pass) (Q2 41:14)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Finley (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 34:43)
• San Francisco 49ers — V. Davis (A. Smith pass) (Q3 23:21)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Cobb (Q4 11:35)
• San Francisco 49ers — F. Gore (Q4 8:50)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Rodgers (Q4 6:09)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q1 49:58)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q2 30:59)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q2 30:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the GB 22 (Q1 49:58) — (4:58) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 13–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 14 (Q2 41:14) — (11:14) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 84-R.Moss for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 41:10) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 88-J.Finley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 34:40) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the GB 25 (Q2 30:59); San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the GB 45 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 2-D.Akers 63 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 4 (Q3 23:21) — (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 85-V.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 23:16) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 15–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 86 (Q4 11:35); Green Bay Packers registered a safety from the SF 2 (Q4 11:16) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 87-J.Nelson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the GB 23 (Q4 8:50) — (8:50) 68-L.Davis and 67-D.Kilgore reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 8:41) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the SF 10 (Q4 6:09) — (6:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-Ja.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 6:05) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

Turning points

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q2 37:11) — (7:11) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 88-J.Finley to SF 24 for 16 yards (22-C.Rogers). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +2.57]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:14) — (11:14) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 84-R.Moss for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +2.85]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle intended for 85-G.Jennings INTERCEPTED by 53-N.Bowman at GB 34. 53-N.Bowman to GB 23 for 11 yards (32-C.Benson). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.19]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 27:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 15-M.Crabtree pushed ob at SF 38 for 20 yards (51-D.Smith). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +2.57]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 37:40) — (7:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 89-Ja.Jones to SF 2 for 28 yards (29-C.Culliver). PENALTY on GB-89-Ja.Jones, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at SF 30 - No P [WPA -7.5% · EPA -1.63]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle intended for 85-G.Jennings INTERCEPTED by 53-N.Bowman at GB 34. 53-N.Bowman to GB 23 for 11 yards (32-C.Benson). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.19]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 11:35) — (11:35) 4-A.Lee punts 61 yards to GB 25, Center-86-B.Jennings. 18-R.Cobb for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA -6.8% · EPA -4.89]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 7:15) — (7:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 89-Ja.Jones pushed ob at SF 19 for 49 yards (53-N.Bowman). [WPA +2.6% · EPA +3.89]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 8:50) — (8:50) 68-L.Davis and 67-D.Kilgore reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.2% · EPA +2.86]

Quarterback report card

A.Rodgers led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 59 dropbacks · 50.8% completion · +6.3% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +6.87 total EPA
• A.Smith (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +12.3% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +11.13 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.18 vs +0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, +4.23 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, +15.38 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• San Francisco 49ers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Smith (San Francisco 49ers) 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.
• A. Smith (SF) 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. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 49:58 · GB 22 · Score 3-0
   (4:58) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
2. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 41:14 · GB 14 · Score 9-0
   (11:14) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 84-R.Moss for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 41:10 · GB 2 · Score 10-0
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
4. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 34:43 · SF 1 · Score 10-6
   (4:43) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 88-J.Finley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 34:40 · SF 2 · Score 10-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
6. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:59 · GB 25 · Score 13-7
   (:59) 92-W.Tukuafu, 67-D.Kilgore and 76-A.Davis reported in as eligible. 2-D.Akers 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
7. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · GB 45 · Score 16-7
   (:02) 2-D.Akers 63 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
8. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 23:21 · GB 4 · Score 22-7
   (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 85-V.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 23:16 · GB 2 · Score 23-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 11:35 · GB 86 · Score 23-13
    (11:35) 4-A.Lee punts 61 yards to GB 25, Center-86-B.Jennings. 18-R.Cobb for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds rulin
11. Green Bay Packers Safety (+2) — Q4 11:16 · SF 2 · Score 23-15
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 87-J.Nelson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 8:50 · GB 23 · Score 29-15
    (8:50) 68-L.Davis and 67-D.Kilgore reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 8:41 · GB 2 · Score 30-15
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
14. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 6:09 · SF 10 · Score 30-21
    (6:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-Ja.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 6:05 · SF 2 · Score 30-22
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.