Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams star as Green Bay Packers beat San Francisco 49ers

Dejan Kalinic

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Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams star as Green Bay Packers beat San Francisco 49ers image

Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams guided the Green Bay Packers to a 34-17 win over the injury-hit San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and completed 25 of 31 for 305 yards at Levi's Stadium, where the NFC North-leading Packers improved to 6-2.

The Packers star threw one of those TDs to Adams, who finished with 173 yards on 10 receptions in a dominant performance against the depleted 49ers (4-5).

Adams became the first player in NFL history to have at least 50 receptions, 600 receiving yards and eight TD catches through his first six games of a season.

Both teams were impacted by positive coronavirus tests in the lead-up, while the 49ers saw quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and tight end George Kittle (foot) hurt last week.

Starting for the 49ers, Nick Mullens completed 22 of 35 for 291 yards, a TD and an interception, while Richie James had 184 receiving yards.

The Packers did not need long to edge ahead, Rodgers connecting with Adams on a 36-yard touchdown pass.

It was Adams' eighth receiving TD of the season, which is the most in the NFL.

An 11-play, 76-yard drive by the 49ers was only able to yield a Robbie Gould field goal after San Francisco thought they had a TD, but River Cracraft's catch from Mullens in the endzone was reversed.

Green Bay's response came in the form of 24 unanswered points through the second and third quarters.

Rodgers found a wide open Marcedes Lewis and connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling with a 52-yarder to finish the half.

For the third time this season – the most in the NFL – Rodgers had three TDs and no interceptions in the first half of a game.

A nine-play, 80-yard drive ended with Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling connecting again to make it 28-3.

After two Mason Crosby field goals for the Packers, Mullens found James with a 41-yard pass for a TD and Jerick McKinnon rushed in late to reduce the margin as the 49ers fell to defeat.

Dejan Kalinic