Bart Starr and the NFL’s Team of the 60’s. The Green Bay Packers.
Joe Montana and the NFL’s Team of the 80’s. The San Francisco 49ers.
Brett Favre had his way with San Francisco during the Packer playoff runs in the 1990’s. Aaron Rodgers has had some troubles against the 49ers in the post-season over the last 8 years. He gets another shot at them this weekend.
For the ninth time in their glorious playoff histories, the two iconic franchises meet again in the NFC Divisional Round Saturday night at Lambeau Field at 7:15 PM. Each team has four victories in the series.
This should make for more great theater. San Francisco arrives with a record of 11-7, needing a strong second half and a final weekend victory over the Los Angeles Rams just to make the playoff field as the number 6 seed. They dispatched the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round last weekend at AT&T Stadium. The Packers earned the first round bye with another NFC North title winning 13-4 campaign. Since the 49ers knocked the Packers out of the playoffs in the back to back 2012 and 2013 seasons, Green Bay has won 4 of 5 times in the Divisional round and it’s been 11 years since they lost in the round of 8 at home.
Before diving into the matchup, I’ve put together a collection of comments from the Packer coaching staff and players on how they’ve prepared for the past two weeks, what they see as the keys to the game and thoughts on being just two victories away from reaching their ultimate goal, playing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Los Angeles at Super Bowl LVI.
On to the game.
When the Packers have the ball.
The still moving pieces on the offensive line is the biggest concern dealing with the strength of the 49ers defense, their fearsome front seven pass rush. If David Bakhtiari can play (questionable as of Thursday), how long can he hold up at left tackle. Billy Turner is expected to return on the right side after being out with a knee injury since December 12. Rookie Center Josh Myers will play for only the second time since his mid-season knee injury. Can they keep the sack happy Niners led by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, D.J. Wilson and Arden Key at bay? Back in September, the Packers effectively held their own keeping tight ends in line, using running backs and even receivers like Allen Lazard to offer chip help or double team support. There are a couple of ways to cool down the pass rush, get the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hand quickly and run the ball effectively. Getting Aaron Jones into space or hammering A.J. Dillon between the tackles is key to keep the play calling in balance and the offense ahead of the chains. Given time to throw, Rodgers should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. The San Francisco secondary allowed quarterbacks to complete better than 68% of passes, among the highest numbers in the league. Even without Marquez Valdes-Scantling (doubtful with a back injury) stretching the field deep to create space for others, having Randall Cobb back to team with Allen Lazard and the uncoverable All Pro Davante Adams running routes should produce results. With ideal weather at Levi’s Stadium for the regular season meeting, the Packers connected on several explosive passing plays including back to back completions to Adams in the final minute to set up Mason Crosby’s walk off, game winning field goal. They put up 353 yards and 30 points on the San Francisco defense that afternoon. Conditions will be much different Saturday night but if protection holds up and the run game has success, there’s no reason to think the offense won’t be able to duplicate that effort.
When the 49ers have the ball.
It’s all about who gets the ball in Kyle Shanahan’s motion and misdirection running game. The number key is making sure Green Bay’s edge defenders play with an edge. Whether it’s Elijah Mitchell or the explosive, two way threat Deebo Samuel getting carries on the well designed and very well executed wide zone run scheme, it’s incumbent on the likes of Rashan Gary and Preston Smith to not get fooled by the misdirection, stay firm and force ball carriers into pursuit. That will require inside linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes to get off blocks and safeties Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage to be quick and strong in run support. Tackling must be sure and a multi-player effort to limit the number of explosive gains on the ground. San Francisco’s offensive line is very mobile and physical so the Packer front seven has to match that physicality. Samuel of course is also a threat in the passing game as is Brandon Aiyuk and of course, All Pro tight end George Kittle. I’ll be curious to see how quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo manages the aerial attack with a strained right thumb ligament and sore right shoulder on a very cold night. It behooves Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry to try and force Garoppolo to beat his defense through the air. It might be a steady diet of short, underneath routes but if downfield throws are required, I’m not convinced Jimmy G will be able to pull that off. He’s thrown four interceptions in his five career playoff games. Any extra possessions the defense can acquire for the offense might well swing the outcome.
The third phase.
The Green Bay special teams came in dead last in Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings of NFL units. They’ve had issues with nearly every phase at some point during the season and they simply have to hold up their end of the bargain not necessarily by coming up with a big play or return, but by merely not making the critical mistake.
The bottom line.
Getting overwhelmed by the 49ers in the 2019 NFC Championship Game was disappointing, but not nearly as much as last year’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home a step away from the Super Bowl a year ago. This has been a very determined and focused 2021 team all year. By not losing a single game at Lambeau has allowed them to play at home in January again, this time with a full house of fans. Even if reinforcements like Jaire Alexander or Za’Darius Smith return, the Packers have leaned on and won with lesser talents handling their jobs all year. Yes, the Niners are coming to the tundra with a lot of momentum, but I believe the Packers are still the better team and they’re anxious to end San Francisco’s run of three straight playoff eliminations.
I like the Pack, 27-24.
