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The San Francisco 49ers put together an impressive win in Week 12, routing the Green Bay Packers by a final score of 37-8. George Kittle made a triumphant return with six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown, but it was the 49ers defense that really set things up. Arik Armstead led the way with two sacks, and defensive back Jimmie Ward had arguably the best game of his career with a couple huge pass break-ups.
The 49ers won a game that opened one of the more difficult stretches a team has ever faced at this point in the season. The 49ers opened this week with three straight games against teams with an 8-2 record, including the Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, no team has played three straight games against teams with an .800+ winning percentage this late in the season in the Super Bowl era.
With the win, San Francisco retains their lead atop the NFC playoff picture. They are 10-1 and now hold a one-game lead on the Saints. The Packers drop to 8-3 and are tied with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Green Bay holds the head-to-head tiebreaker for now over Minnesota and thus the divisional lead.
The 49ers travel to face the Ravens in Week 13, while the Packers travel to face the New York Giants.