The Green Bay Packers left Santa Clara with a win last Thursday, something the team wasn’t able to do during the 2019 season. Now, the Packers are 6-2 and tied with the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints at the top of the NFC. 

“I thought it was a great team win. It obviously feels really good to come out here and get a win, especially on a short week,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur. “There was a lot of hours put in for the preparation. I was really happy with the play of our team. I thought the energy was there. That was something that we were looking for. And I thought really all three phases came to play.”

Despite the 49ers roster looking almost entirely different than it did last season, with a roster decimated by injuries, the message the Packers sent on Thursday Night Football was still significant. 

For edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, he made sure his team was motivated by reminding them what it felt like to leave Levi’s Stadium last season after the NFC Championship loss.  “They took it all from us last year.”

The Packers defense forced two turnovers on the night, bringing their season total to six. Preston Smith generated pressure that resulted in an interception by safety Raven Greene, Green Bay’s third pick of the season.

“That was big for us and that set the tone for us as a defense to go out there and be dominant,” Za’Darius said. 

Then, Za’Darius had the team’s only sack of the night, a strip sack resulting in a fumble he recovered himself. His sack total this season now sits at seven which is tied for third in the NFL. 

LaFleur called the pressure generated by his rushers “huge” adding that both of those turnovers ended up leading to points. 

“I thought it was an improvement, a step in the right direction,” he said of his defense’s ability to stop the run and tackle more efficiently. “But we know that you’re only as good as your last performance and it’s gotta be who we are on a consistent basis.”

On offense, quarterback Aaron Rodgers put on another electrifying performance, throwing 25 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns with a rating of 147.2. He only had six incompletions on the night. 

His top target, Davante Adams, had 10 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. 

“I’m relied on a lot in this offense so it’s just about being consistent and being the same person every day,” said Adams. “I just wanna be the best wideout to play this game.”

Green Bay has scored on every one of its opening possessions so far this season, and that’s not lost on the players. The opening touchdown to Adams gave the Packers a lead that never faltered on the way to a 34-17 victory. 

“We’ve gotten off to a good start every single week,” Rodgers said of the team being eight-of-eight on opening drives.

He called Tyler Ervin “one of the unsung heroes of the night” as he had 72 all-purpose yards on offense, rushing for 24 yards and catching four passes for 48 yards. 

“There were a lot of guys that had to step up and embrace new roles, and it’s always fun to see those guys come out on top,” said LaFleur. “Just really proud of our guys’ effort.”

Another player who stepped up big on offense was receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who after a drop on third down that stalled a drive hauled in two receptions for two touchdowns, the only two-score game of his career to date. 

“I do have a lot of faith and trust in him,” Rodgers said of MVS. “I’ve seen him grow as a player.”

While the Packers activated Jamaal Williams off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, it’s possible Green Bay will also get David Bakhtiari and Allen Lazard back for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. 

In Bakhtiari’s absence, the offensive line has remained incredibly consistent, keeping Rodgers clean regardless of who’s playing where on the line. 

“I think one of the coolest things about our room is the quiet confidence,” said starting right guard Lucas Patrick of the offensive line, adding that Billy Turner is one of the players he admires most. 

Turner started the game at left tackle before moving to right tackle mid-game after Rick Wagner suffered an injury. 

Left guard Elgton Jenkins ended up playing three spots along the line throughout the night, starting at guard before moving to left tackle and ending the game at center to give Corey Linsley a breather. 

“Elgton played three positions tonight. That is, unheard of, I think, in this league,” LaFleur said of Jenkins. “For him to be able to play left guard, left tackle, then go in at center at the end of the game, that’s pretty special.”

While much will be said about the 49ers’ depleted roster, the Packers know you can’t take any opponent lightly in the NFL. 

“Every game is super competitive,” said Ervin. “That’s one thing I’ve realized playing in this league. You can’t doubt anybody because each week is a new week. It doesn’t matter what anybody’s record is.”

LaFleur gave credit to Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and the way he built his roster with depth on both sides of the ball. 

“I think we did what we needed to do,” LaFleur said of his team’s performance in Santa Clara. 

“And I know they were short numbers, but, again, it’s the National Football League. You can’t take anybody for granted. I still think they got a hell of a team despite missing some big-time players.”

The 6-2 Packers stay home at Lambeau Field this weekend to take on the 1-7 Jacksonville Jaguars. And with a bounce-back game last Thursday, LaFleur still has yet to lose two consecutive games during his time as the 15th Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers. 

“It’s still football. It still feels great to win,” said Rodgers. “Feels good to be 6-2 at the halfway point and first in the division.”