The San Francisco 49ers faced an uphill battle in Week 12 with their starting quarterback Brock Purdy (right shoulder), top pass rusher Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) all ruled out due to their respective injuries. Despite the best efforts of the team, San Francisco fell 38-10 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Here are five takeaways from the 49ers vs. Packers game:
Quarterback Brandon Allen Makes His First Regular Season Start with the 49ers
With Purdy out of the lineup in Week 12, ninth-year pro Brandon Allen had his number called to lead the 49ers offensive unit. Allen, who is in his second season with San Francisco, was named the backup quarterback back in September. Prior to the Week 12 matchup, Allen had made a total of nine starts with his last start coming in the final game of the 2021 season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. In that contest, Allen connected on 15-of-29 pass attempts for 136 yards and a touchdown in the team's narrow loss to the Cleveland Browns.
On Sunday, Allen led the 49ers to an 11-play, 65 yard touchdown scoring drive capped off by a three-yard score by George Kittle. Kittle's second-quarter score pulled the 49ers within 10 points with a minute left in the first half. The 49ers later added a field goal in the third quarter but the offense struggled to find their rhythm in this game. Allen connected on 17-of-29 pass attempts for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Defensive Lineman Sam Okuayinonu is the Next Man Up
The former undrafted free agent got his first NFL start in place of an injured Nick Bosa. Okuayinonu opened up the game opposite of defensive end Leonard Floyd and with Jordan Elliott and Maliek Collins on the interior of the line. He recorded three tackles (one for a loss) against the Packers.
Floyd added a sack of Packers quarterback Jordan Love for a loss of three yards midway on third-and-seven to force a three-and-out in the third quarter. He recorded another third-down sack of Love early in the fourth quarter that was good for another Packers punt.
"The People's Tight End" Moves Up the Franchise Leaderboard
Tight end George Kittle was on the receiving end of Allen's 10th-career touchdown. Allen went right down the middle to Kittle, who was open in the back of the end zone. With that touchdown reception, Kittle overtook legendary 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark for fourth-most receptions in franchise history with 507 catches. Later in the third quarter, Kittle hauled in two more passes to surpass former 49ers running back Roger Craig for third-most receptions on that same leaderboard.
Injuries of the Game
- DL Jordan Elliott was ruled out of the game with a concussion and is in the concussion protocol.
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was labeled as questionable in the third quarter with a knee injury. He was later ruled out in the fourth quarter.
- CB Renardo Green was labeled as questionable to return with a neck injury in the fourth quarter.
- OL Aaron Banks left the game in the fourth quarter and is in the concussion protocol.
Turnover and Penalty Breakdown
San Francisco opened up the third quarter with a turnover on downs and had two second half turnovers that helped create a deficit they could not overcome. While the 49ers were able to force a three and out following the turnover on downs, the Packers were able to capitalize on the 49ers interception and fumble, scoring touchdowns on each of their ensuing drives. Penalties were also a big issue in Week 12. San Francisco racked up nine penalties for 77 yards on the day.
