GREEN BAY, Wis. – Throughout the disaster of a first quarter and darn near as frustrating second and third quarters of the San Francisco 49ers' divisional playoff showdown with the Green Bay Packers, despite all the miscues, challenges and shortcomings, Jimmy Garoppolo swears he noticed an unmistakable and unshakable calm.
Sure, defensive tone-setter Fred Warner had laid into teammates after they let the Packers cruise downfield to score a game-opening touchdown. There were groans of frustration as the usually sure-handed George Kittle dropped a would-be touchdown pass.
Sure, blood pressures rose as the first quarter concluded with San Francisco’s yardage total standing at negative-7.