The Green Bay Packers blew out the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field, 38-10. The loss was expected. San Francisco was without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, edge rusher Nick Bosa, and All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams. Still, our NFL Week 12 recap goes beyond this game and considers the value of the 49ers pushing to make the playoffs when they are unlikely to go very far.
Last Place and a Tough Schedule
San Francisco is in last place at 5-6, but they can still win the NFC West. The problem is their schedule. Next week, they travel to Buffalo. Then it’s Chicago, the LA Rams, Miami, Detroit, and Arizona.
Under normal circumstances, San Francisco would be favored in each game except for Buffalo and Detroit. But with their injuries and the lingering questions about the health of star running back Christian McCaffrey, they are vulnerable in every game.
It’s irresponsible to discuss injuries, particularly when there have been few specifics. However, for Purdy to sit out a key game against a fellow playoff contender, it’s natural to wonder if the team is being intentionally covert.
Bosa has a hip injury, which is always worrisome. Williams is 36. They are already without Brandon Aiyuk, lost for the year after knee surgery. It’s reaching the point of diminishing returns and weighing the wisdom of moving on to 2025.
Brandon Allen is Not the Answer
The 49ers did not lose to Green Bay solely because of backup QB Brandon Allen, but he is a journeyman for a reason. Tom Brady was in the broadcast booth for the game and he could have suited up after not setting foot on the field in two years, drawn a few plays in the dirt, and done a better job.
That is not a criticism of Allen.
If Purdy is out for an extended period, expect San Francisco to sign Daniel Jones. New York Giants fans will scoff, but he would be the latest in a long line of players who escaped their teamwide dysfunction and found a home where he could be competent. And he’s better than Allen.
Still, that is a short-term bandage. In Green Bay, Allen was running for his life and had issues with ball security. Jones faced those same issues in New York.
Acknowledgement is Not Capitulation
There is a difference between outright giving up and accepting reality. San Francisco will not quit in the last six weeks of the regular season — they can still make the playoffs.
But there comes a time when the team needs to weigh the pros and cons of using Purdy with an injured shoulder, Bosa with an injured hip, Williams at his advanced age, and McCaffrey after he missed the first half of the season with Achilles tendon issues.
These factors must be considered when gauging how the team will fare in each game and the remainder of the season.
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