Niners Can’t Hold Late Lead vs. Packers

Going into Monday night’s game against the Packers at Lambeau Field, 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard was eager for the opportunity.

At 1-4, San Francisco was in a losing rut and coming off a painful loss to the Cardinals in which Beathard had four turnovers. But the chance to play on Monday Night Football, said Beathard, was “something to look forward to.”

And, for most of the game, the 49ers took advantage of it. San Francisco had a 30-23 late in the fourth quarter and looked ready to collect win No. 2. But Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on one long scoring drive to tie the game, then Green Bay got the ball back by intercepting Beathard. Then, aided by an illegal contact call against cornerback Richard Sherman to keep a drive alive when DeForest Buckner had sacked Rodgers, the Packers got deep into 49ers territory to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.

The 33-30 loss to the Packers was a tough decision for the 49ers, who played one of their best games of the season.

Beathard threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns – both to Marquise Goodwin – on 16-of-23 passing, while the offense also put together a strong rushing night with Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida (returning from an injury) rushing for 87 and 61 yards respectively.

Goodwin, who has played little since an injury early in the first game of the season, finally appeared healthy. He caught four passes for 126 yards, including one 67-yard bomb from Beathard, caught perfectly in stride. Last season Goodwin emerged as a go-to deep threat with both Beathard and Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.

Tweeted David Lombardi, who covers the 49ers for The Athletic: “This was very reminiscent of many 49ers Garoppolo-less losses. Flawed but competitive, ultimately excruciating. Bottom line is that they’re lacking firepower at critical spots.”