Green Bay vs San Francisco: The Sunday night showdown in Santa Clara
This Sunday night, the 9-1 San Francisco 49ers welcome in the 8-2 Green Bay Packers for a critical game in the NFC. The winner will end up with the top spot in the conference. Now, this game is huge for both teams, so expect a fight for four quarters. On the injury front, Green Bay is mostly healthy, as the only players that are questionable or out would be Cole Madison (Tackle, knee, out), Danny Vitale (Fullback, knee, questionable), and Robert Tonyan (Tight End, hip, questionable). Everyone else is a full go for Sunday’s clash in California.
As far as the 49ers go, two players are listed as out: Joe Staley (Offensive Tackle, finger), Dee Ford (Defensive End, hamstring), two are doubtful: Matt Breida (Running Back, ankle), and Robbie Gould (Kicker, hamstring). Three of the remaining five players listed are questionable: George Kittle (Tight End, Knee/Ankle), Deebo Samuel (Wide Receiver, Shoulder), and Emanuel Sanders (Wide Receiver, Ribs). The rest will be game-time decisions.
This is definitely a game in which Green Bay as a team needs to capitalize on the injuries for San Francisco. If they do, I believe they’ll win. This will still be a very tough game and environment for the Packers though regardless of injuries. The 49ers currently lead the NFL in PPG at home (33.3 PPG), so this will be a great test for DC Mike Pettine and the Packers’ secondary. Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers, has 10 interceptions on the year; which is good for 5th in the NFL. You can be sure that the Packers’ defense will be looking to rattle him early and force turnovers. With as fierce a pass-rushing tandem as Green Bay has with both Za’Darius and Preston Smith on the edge, I expect them to get to him early and often in the game. Currently, the Smith brothers have a combined 18.5 sacks on the year through the first ten games. They will also be looking to stifle San Francisco’s run game with the use of DT Kenny Clark in the middle for Green Bay. Currently, Clark has a total of 1.5 sacks, 13 solo tackles, 3 QB hits, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 forced fumble.
As far as Green Bay’s offense goes, I expect a steady dose of Aaron Jones both on the ground and through the air. His utilization on offense under HC Matt LaFleur has revitalized him and the offense as a whole. He is the spark plug that ignites it. I also expect Aaron Rodgers to accelerate the pace on offense using no-huddle to not only keep San Francisco’s defense on its toes but to also limit pre-snap penalties — which Green Bay leads the league in (25 total). This game has the mid- 1990’s written all over it. Brett Favre’s Packers vs Steve Young’s 49ers. It will end up being a very competitive game that will come down to the wire. In the end, though, I expect Green Bay to pull it out by a score of 28-24 which will secure them the #1 overall seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #ParkerMoes @ParkerMoes
