The 1996 Green Bay Packers shouldn't have won this game. But they'll take it.

The 1989 49ers outgained the Packers 474 yards to 228. The Packers had just 32 yards rushing. Jerry Rice and Tom Rathman had monster days for the Niners. But the final scoreboard read: Green Bay 28, San Francisco 23.

The Packers can thank return man extraordinaire Desmond Howard, who set up touchdowns with two long returns, and a defense that bent all game long, but also held the Niners to three field goals inside the 20-yard line. The Packers improved to 8-5, one game out of first place; the 49ers saw their Super League hopes take a big blow as they dropped to 7-6.

The 49ers kicked field goals on their first two possessions, but Howard's 63-yard kickoff return set up a short Edgar Bennett touchdown run. After San Francisco took a 13-7 lead, Howard's 41-yard punt return set up another Bennett touchdown as Green Bay took a 14-13 halftime lead.

Joe Montana (21 for 28, 296 yards) hit fullback Rathman (11 catches, 132 yards) on a 11-yard TD pass for 20-14 lead, before Brett Favre struck back with a 16-yard bullett to Robert Brooks. Another field goal gave the Niners a 23-21 edge but Favre directed the Packers on a 60-yard drive midway through the fourth quarter, connecting with Antonio Freeman for the go-ahead touchdown with 5:27 left.

Rice had 133 yards receiving for the Niners. Favre finished 19 of 37 for 196 yards.