TimesFour

After 1989, the Packers handled the Niners in all but 2 contests

1989: The Packers didn’t need any miracles to topple the world champions.

At week 11 of the 1989 season, the Packers seemed to be an improved team with a knack for fantastic finishes, but little more than that. All but one of their five victories had come via frantic comebacks and last-second heroics; the only team they’d beaten decisively was the woeful Cowboys.

Stuck in third place in the NFC Central after a 31-22 loss at Detroit, the Packers traveled to San Francisco to face the 9-1 49ers, who’d just dismantled Atlanta 45-3. But the Packers, 9 ½-point underdogs, controlled the stunned 49ers from the opening whistle — at least as much as a team averaging almost 30 points a game can be controlled.

Tied 7-7 with 11:26 to go in the first half, SS Chuck Cecil stepped in front of Jerry Rice and returned the interception to the San Francisco 9. (Montana had gone 149 attempts without throwing a pick). Don Majkowski’s strike to Sterling Sharpe moments later put the Packers ahead, but the 49ers responded with a remarkable 98-yard drive, scoring just before the half ended.

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