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    • Josh Jacobs helps Packers to a 38-10 victory over the overmatched 49ers
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    Josh Jacobs helps Packers to a 38-10 victory over the overmatched 49ers

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    GREEN BAY – Four days before Thanksgiving, the Green Bay Packers took advantage of an early Christmas gift from their NFC foe.

    The San Francisco 49ers were without quarterback Brock Purdy, defenseman Nick Bosa, left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Charvarius Ward. The Packers made their rival look like a depleted lineup, outscoring them 38-10 to improve to 8-3 on the season.

    It’s a win that will give the Packers momentum heading into their short week. The Packers host the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night with a chance to improve to 9-3.

    The Packers will get all the easy wins the schedule can afford in a loaded NFC North. They remain third in the division behind Detroit and Minnesota, but Sunday showed signs of a team heading in the right direction.

    Here are some quick observations:

    Josh Jacobs beats Christian McCaffrey and shows why he’s the answer to solving the Packers’ red zone offense

    A week ago, the Packers indicated they discovered Josh Jacobs was the answer to how to improve their season woes with red zone efficiency. He proved them right on Sunday. Jacobs had three rushing touchdowns from the 1-yard line, helping the Packers complete 5-for-5 scoring touchdowns inside the red zone against the 49ers. (Tucker Kraft, perhaps the Packers’ second-best option in the red zone behind Jacobs, opened the scoring in the first quarter with a red zone touchdown; Malik Heath’s 3-yard TD in the fourth quarter was the other.) Jacobs has now done that. seven rushing touchdowns this season, six inside the 7-yard line. He significantly outpaced 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, finishing with 26 carries for 106 yards and the three touchdowns. It was Jacobs’ first game with three rushing touchdowns since Oct. 23, 2022 against the Texans and only the third of his career. McCaffrey finished with 11 carries for 31 yards. The Packers’ consistent reliance on Jacobs has been impressive, but with another game Thursday night against Miami, his heavy workload will be something to keep an eye on this week. Jacobs, who left with a cramp in the third quarter, is built like a workhorse. The Packers will need him a short week.

    Jordan Love continues to show improved decision-making in the first game this season without a turnover

    Jordan Love threw an interception in the end zone intended for Kraft on a free play that was negated in the first half. In the second, he got away with a bad call when he threw to a covered Christian Watson, but 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown dropped the would-be interception. Otherwise, Love showed much better ball security, following up on last week in Chicago. For the first time in nine games played this season, Love had no turnovers. He finished 13 of 23 for 163 yards, two touchdowns and a 107.7 rating. It was his second straight game with a passer rating in triple figures, something Love did just once in his first seven games. Love’s line would have been much better if not for a handful of missed passes. Late in the first half, Watson ran open behind the 49ers defense for what would have been a 49-yard touchdown, but Love’s perfectly thrown pass bounced back into the receiver’s hands. The drop was reminiscent of the first play of Watson’s career, when he dropped a potential 75-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers against Minnesota to open the 2022 season. Romeo Doubs also had a few falls before going out with a concussion in the third quarter.

    Xavier McKinney takes over the game in the second half, ending the Packers’ takeaway drought

    When the Packers needed a takeaway, it was no surprise that Xavier McKinney provided it. McKinney intercepted a pass from 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen that deviated from the hands of receiver Deebo Samuel and returned 48 yards to set up a touchdown that gave the Packers a 24–7 lead. Before his pick, the Packers defense was without a takeaway midway through the third game. The latest outcome was the sack of Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence by rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on October 27. McKinney tied with Detroit safety Kerby Joseph for the most interceptions in the NFL this season with seven, but he made plenty of other plays on Sunday. Early in the third quarter, he single-handedly ended a 49ers drive, taking the right angle on third down to knock Allen out of bounds in front of the marker during a scramble. On the next play, he covered McCaffrey on a route to force a fourth-and-2 incompletion. The Packers have become accustomed to their star safety making such an impact in his first season with the team.

    Packers edge rushers are showing signs of life, possibly springboarding down the stretch

    A week after what was perhaps the low point of the season for the Packers’ pass rush, the defensive front showed significant signs of improvement. The Packers only sacked Allen twice, but they received consistent pressure throughout the game. Lukas Van Ness made the signature play, depriving Allen of the football deep in 49ers territory to set up a Packers touchdown. It was only Van Ness’ second sack this season, his first since Week 3. Rashan Gary had the first sack, bringing his total to 4.5 on the season. Gary now has at least half a sack in three straight games, 3.5 sacks in his last five. Nothing would improve a Packers defense that has played well most of the time more than derailing their edge rushers.

    Brandon McManus’ consistency has stopped the Packers revolving door

    It’s remarkable how Brandon McManus immediately solved the Packers’ long kick problem. A year ago, Anders Carlson’s missed 41-yarder in the fourth quarter in San Francisco ended the Packers’ season in an NFC divisional playoff game. The Packers replaced Carlson with Brayden Narveson to start this season, but the rookie didn’t last long. Since McManus replaced Narveson in Week 7, the revolving door has been at a standstill. McManus made his lone field goal attempt from 51 yards, the first time this season a Packers kicker attempted from at least 50 yards. He also made all four of his extra points. McManus is now 7 of 8 in field goal percentage, with a pair of game winners, and perfect with 12 extra points. While punter Daniel Whelan continues to showcase his blossoming leg — Whelan averaged 48.8 yards on four kicks Sunday — the Packers appear to be stuck at their two kicking positions.

    (This story has been updated to change or add a video).

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