49ers were only 2 of 9 on 3rd downs. Packers actually got more sacks than the 49ers. Packers with 4 and 49ers with 3. What really killed the Packers here was 5.8 yards per rush.
The Packers defense absolutely improved, but the 49ers rushing attack was too much for them to handle and it opened the door for their passing game.
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
When Alex Smith manages to go 20/26, 211 yards, 2 TDs and 0 Ints, your passing defense isn't up to standards, either.
Next to that, 2 of 9 on third downs looks pretty darn good, but overal we couldn't stop them one bit, as we gave up 22nd first downs. 13 of them by passing.
The communication looked absolutely horrendous. There where holes so big that I could've completed some passes in just about every zone coverage scheme. When we do go man, we just lack the talent in the secondary. Both at the corner and safety position.
I'm a very big believer of a pass rush being able to cover up for a bad secondary, but when you have Bush (trying to) play man, with the biggest help you can give him being MD Jennings... Now that's a very sad sight.
All in all, we could've seen this coming. I vividly recall stats posted about Capers' defenses exploding on to the scene in year one and gradually just getting worse every year.
That said, it's early and something can be done. Not about the blatant lack of talent, but you can scheme around it a bit and hope you can cover it up. We played some bad, bad football and only lost by 8 against, what you can very realistically call, a contender. There's still hope.