The Packers left San Francisco as 45-31 losers to the 49ers and members of the Colin Kaepernick admiration society.
Watching Kaepernick light up the defense for 263 passing yards and 181 rushing yards, the most ever by an NFL quarterback, left the architect of the Packers team sounding more impressed by Kaepernick than he was upset at his team’s efforts. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson knew the hype on Kaepernick, but said that the real thing went beyond the advance billing.
“That was unbelievable,” Thompson said, via Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. “He did everything. I mean, I had read the press clippings and seen some of the highlights. But to watch what he did … oh my, that was special.”
Based on what one member of the Green Bay defense said after the game, the press clippings and the highlights didn’t filter all the way down from Thompson’s office. Safety Charles Woodson said it was hard to see Kaepernick beat them over and over again on the same play -- “We couldn’t stop him” -- and wondered if there was more the team could have done in the game plan to keep him in check.
“We didn’t anticipate the quarterback running the way he did,” Woodson said. “I guess that was the X-factor.”
It was certainly the deciding factor, but it wasn’t one that should have taken the Packers by surprise. Whoever draws the 49ers next weekend has been duly warned.