After Young was sacked the first two times he went back to pass, the 49ers were forced to punt, and the snap from center sailed through Reggie Roby's hands and out of the end zone for a safety.
It became a 16-0 Green Bay lead after safety Pat Terrell's interception set up a 30-yard touchdown pass from Favre to Robert Brooks.
"I'm tired of losing to the Packers," said 49er wide receiver Jerry Rice, who scored the 49ers' first touchdown on a pass from Young.
The touchdown--the 80th for the Young-Rice combination--set an NFL record, eclipsing the 79 between Miami's Dan Marino and Mark Clayton.
But as good as Young and Rice have been together, Favre and Holmgren are better. Going back to 1992 when the Packers acquired Favre from Atlanta--giving Holmgren the only starting quarterback he's had in Green Bay--there has been greatness in the making.
Favre was at his worst in 1992 and 1993, prompting Holmgren to sit down with Favre and come to terms: "I told him we're either going to the top of the world together or into the dumpster, but we're going to play through this stuff,"
Favre, the league's most valuable player the past three years, has thrown 12 interceptions in the last five games, including three against the 49ers. His mistakes allowed the 49ers to pull ahead, 22-19, in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
"That's not good and Brett knows that," Holmgren said. "Right now we have to throw a lot and take more chances than normal since the running game is not what it should be."
The Packers, playing without running back Dorsey Levens since the third game of the season, lost possession on three consecutive series as the result of Favre being intercepted, including a crucial mistake with Green Bay in field-goal position in the final seconds before halftime. San Francisco linebacker Lee Woodall stepped in front of Freeman at the goal line and Favre's pass landed directly in his gut, prompting Holmgren to double over in apparent pain on the sideline.
"I heard a couple boos and Mike was ranting and raving and everyone else had something to say," said Favre, "but there was no one more relaxed out there than me. . . . I've never counted myself out and as long as I still have the chance to have the ball in my hands, I like our chances."
Favre, recovering from a nightmarish third quarter, put the Packers ahead for good with a dart to Freeman for a 62-yard touchdown with 11:04 left in the game.
Young then fumbled after being hit by Packer defender Keith McKenzie and Earl Dotson recovered at the 49er 11-yard line.
One play later Jervey scored his first NFL touchdown, earning his first Lambeau leap into the crowd.
The music began to blare, the Dave Clark Five singing "Baby, I'm glad all over," and soon the 49ers would be heading home, looking for answers.
"Obviously I thought this was going to be a big game for our organization," said 49er Coach Steve Mariucci, once an assistant coach under Holmgren with the Packers. "It was not easy to lose, but I'll get over it. We have to bounce back next week and beat Carolina."
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By The Numbers
0-8
Steve Young's record against Green Bay
5
Consecutive times Packers have beaten 49ers
9
Number of times Young was sacked
17
Points Packers scored in fourth quarter
o
Points 49ers scored in fourth quarter
