Entering Sunday's game, the San Francisco 49ers probably would've been content with an Aaron Rodgers stat line of one touchdown, 224 yards passing and three sacks allowed.

But even though the defense kept the reigning NFL MVP in relative check, the offense struggled to its rhythm all afternoon and the 49ers fell, 17-3, to the Green Bay Packers at Levi's® Stadium.

The loss marked San Francisco's (1-3) third consecutive defeat after winning its season opener over the Minnesota Vikings.

Green Bay (4-0) began the day averaging 32 points per game and was held to a season-low 18 first downs and a 5.3 yard-per-play average.  Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense, however, failed to surpass 200 total yards for the second straight game.

Here's what else transpired in the team's Week 4 loss on Sunday.

How It Happened

The 49ers appeared to force a 3-and-out on the opening possession of the game, but a Michael Wilhoite illegal contact penalty negated a sack of Aaron Rodgers on third down and the Packers were rewarded with a new set of downs.

Green Bay capitalized on the extra opportunity, scoring eight plays later on a 9-yard touchdown catch from Richard Rodgers. The scoring drive went 80 yards in 12 plays. 

After the early strike, the 49ers defense found its first-half stride, forcing the Packers to punt three consecutive times. The offense translated some of that momentum into three points midway through the second quarter.

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A Quinton Patton 40-yard gain** off a fly sweep set the 49ers up in Green Bay territory, but San Francisco was forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Phil Dawson after the Packers sacked Kaepernick twice in the red zone. 

On the final possession of the first half, the Packers converted two fourth downs to get into scoring range. But with Rodgers and Co. knocking on the door, Ahmad Brooks delivered his first sack of the year to force a 44-yard field goal. Mason Crosby, however, hooked the kick wide left, and the 49ers went into the break only training 7-3. 

The 49ers got the ball to open the third quarter but couldn't sustain their drive after one first down. The Packers responded by putting together a nine-play, 61-yard touchdown drive to extend their lead to 14-3. The key plays on the possession were a 38-yard James Jones catch on 3rd-and-7 and a 17-yard Rodgers scramble on 2nd-and-goal from the 18. John Kuhn finished the series with a 1-yard touchdown run. 

Green Bay tacked on a 31-yard field goal later in the third quarter to leave the score at 17-3 entering the final period.

Fifteen minutes later, that's how the game ended, as a back-and-forth fourth quarter produced no points. The 49ers threatened to close the gap to one possession after Kaepernick hit Torrey Smith downfield for a 47-yard gain, but the offense failed to find the end zone on its next four snaps.

Key Stats

-- The 49ers defense held the Packers to a season-low seven points in the first half.

-- Patton tallied a career-high 53 receiving yards. His previous high mark for yards in an entire season was 44 last year.

-- The 49ers were 4-of-13 on third downs and 0-for-1 on fourth down.

-- Seven of San Francisco's eight first downs came through the air.

-- Aaron Lynch, who finished the game with four tackles for loss, recorded two of San Francisco's three sacks against Rodgers. Green Bay entered the game having surrendered just three sacks in its first three games of the year.

-- Kaepernick completed 13-of-25 passes for 160 yards and an interception. The quarterback led the team in rushing with 57 yards on 10 carries.

Up Next

The 49ers fly cross-country to battle the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football" at MetLife Stadium. This marks the second year in a row San Francisco has visited New York. Last year, the 49ers defeated the Giants, 16-10, thanks to five interceptions of Eli Manning.