To get past the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round, the 49ers must survive the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Not only that, they’ll have to brave the hordes of Packer fans — and quarterback Aaron Rodgers himself.
This Saturday against the Packers is undoubtedly the 49ers’ biggest test yet. Green Bay is the NFC’s #1 seed, and considered by many to be the best team in the league. Aaron Rodgers is playing at an MVP level, and WR Davante Adams is being, well, Davante Adams.
Luckily, the 49ers have recent history on their side. They’ve beaten the Packers in every playoff meeting since 2012. That was back with Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick. Something about the 49ers’ physical style of play, relentless run-game, and strong defense always proves to be a weakness for the Packers, who usually rely on finesse and passing heroics from Rodgers.
The 49ers are bringing classic Niners toughness to Lambeau on Saturday. They boast an incredibly deep defensive line with players like Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Jordan Willis, Samson Ebukam, Arden Key and more. They feature linebackers that move fast and hit hard, and a secondary that’s improving every week. Plus, they have a run game on offense that includes rookie back Elijah Mitchell and a do-it-all receiver / running back Deebo Samuel, who’s playing the best football of his young career.
Offensively, these 49ers will run down your throat. They’ll physically dominate any opponent. Defensively, they’ll give a quarterback a seriously hard time — even if his name is Aaron Rodgers.
Assessing the 49ers-Packers Matchup
One of the most important matchups in this game is the 49ers run game versus the Packers defense. Rookie back Elijah Mitchell has had an outstanding season so far, racking up 963 yards on the ground, even with missing games due to injury.
The real X-factor, though, is Deebo Samuel, who’s been a threat through the air and on the ground. Samuel can be used in so many ways: as a straight running back, wide receiver, or — as was featured in the Rams game — a quarterback. The Packers defense won’t be able to fully prepare for Deebo Samuel, regardless of how ready they are come game day.
Another important matchup is the 49ers’ defensive line versus the Packers’ offensive line. This game will likely be decided in the trenches, because if Aaron Rodgers feels comfortable in the pocket, he’ll pick apart the Niners secondary. However, if Nick Bosa and the rest of the D-line can get to Rodgers, putting pressure on him and forcing quick throws, they’ll have a shot to win.
The Cold Weather Factor
One area the Packers may have an advantage is the weather. According to forecasts, this game will be played in below-freezing temperatures, a far cry from the California sun the 49ers are used to. This could potentially mean the Packers come more prepared Saturday night because it’s an environment they’re familiar with.
Fortunately for the 49ers, they’re bringing a style of play that not only travels well, it thrives in poor weather conditions. The Niners are not a pass-heavy offense, which means they’ll worry less about the cold affecting their quarterback. They like to keep the ball on the ground and play strong defense. If anything, the weather will negatively affect Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who feature a more pass-centric attack.
Prediction
Every expert and analyst is picking the Packers in this game. It’s a safe bet — Aaron Rodgers is playing at an MVP level, and the 49ers have more weaknesses. But this Niners team is hungry. They’ve shown fight in the latter half of this season not many other teams have.
There’s a very strong likelihood the 49ers go into Lambeau Field and shock everyone with a win. They’ll need strong performances from Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell, and everyone in their run game. They’ll also need a mistake-free game from Jimmy Garoppolo. Every aspect of this team needs to show up to beat a team as good as these Packers. But it’s very possible.
We’ll find out tomorrow night.
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