Category: Latest Packers News

Pro Bowl TE George Kittle expected to play Sunday vs. Packers

The 49ers will have one of the game’s best tight ends available on Sunday against the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers better be prepared to face one of the game’s best tight ends on Sunday night.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is expected to play through his ankle injury and return to the field for the first time since suffering the injury on Oct. 31 against the Arizona Cardinals.

The 49ers listed Kittle, who practiced in a limited capacity this week, as questionable. Schefter reports that Kittle suffered a broken bone in his ankle against the Cardinals and still isn’t recovered from the injury.

Kittle has 46 catches for 541 yards and two touchdowns this season. He set the NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end last season when he was named a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur called Kittle one of the game’s best tight ends.

The Packers don’t have an obvious coverage option against Kittle, although defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will likely use a bunch of players, including safeties Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage and Ibraheim Campbell, and possibly even second-year linebacker Oren Burks or slot cornerback Tramon Williams.

All players must be ready to take on Kittle in the run game and tackle him after the catch. Even at less than 100 percent, Kittle presents major problems for the Packers as a blocker and a receiver.

Inactives are due 90 minutes before game time. By about 6:00 p.m. CT, the Packers will know if they’ll have to face Kittle or not.

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Packers at 49ers: TV schedule, streaming, how to watch

How to watch, stream or listen to the Packers’ Sunday night showdown against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 24, 2019.

The Green Bay Packers (8-2) travel to the West Coast in Week 12 to face the San Francisco 49ers (9-1) in primetime on Sunday night.

Arguably the toughest test of the season lies in wait for the Packers this week. Aside from the game itself, the implications of the outcome may decide who will be the No. 1 seed in the postseason.

NBC will broadcast the game to a nationally televised audience. Al Michaels (play-by-play) will be joined by Cris Collinsworth (analyst) in the booth with Michele Tafoya reporting from the sidelines.

The game can be heard over Milwaukee’s WTMJ (620 AM) and the Packers Radio Network, which is made up of 50 stations in five states. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (analyst) will call the action with John Kuhn providing coverage from the sidelines. The matchup will also be aired over Westwood One Sports and the WTMJ feed of Sirius Satellite Radio.

What: Green Bay Packers (8-2) at San Francisco 49ers (9-1)
When: Sunday, Nov. 24 at 7:20 p.m. CST
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV Channel: NBC
Radio: Packers Radio Network, Sirius Satellite Radio (XM 225, Streaming 811), Westwood One Sports
Live Streams: fuboTV (try it free), the NFL app (offers free streams for viewers in the local market), Packers mobile app and on packers.com (via iPhones and iPads using the Safari browser, available to in-market fans only)
Televised Areas: Nationwide (NBC)

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Packers place G Cole Madison on season-ending injured reserve

The Packers placed Cole Madison on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday.

The knee injury suffered by Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Cole Madison during Thursday’s practice will end his season.

The Packers officially placed Madison on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday.

Coach Matt LaFleur called it a “significant injury” on Friday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the injury as a torn ACL.

Madison, a 2018 fifth-round pick, sat out his rookie season while dealing with a mental health issue. Despite winning a roster spot as a backup at guard and center, he hasn’t played in a game during the 2019 regular season.

The Packers did not make a corresponding roster move. They’ll go into Sunday with 52 players, which shouldn’t be an issue because the team doesn’t have a single major injury issue.

If surgery is required, Madison will likely miss the entire offseason workout program and possibly part of training camp next year.

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Packers can improve to 3-0 SU as road underdog in 2019

The Packers have won in Chicago and Dallas as road underdogs in 2019.

Twice during the 2019 season, the Green Bay Packers have been road underdogs. And in both games, the Packers covered the spread and won straight up.

They’ll get a chance to go 3-for-3 on Sunday night in San Francisco. The Packers are 3.5-point underdogs to the 49ers, per Bet MGM.

Matt LaFleur’s team were road underdogs in Chicago in Week 1 and in Dallas in Week 5 and won both games by a touchdown or more.

Overall, the Packers are 7-3 against the spread in 2019, including a 4-1 mark on the road.

The 49ers have been a somewhat unreliable team at home, covering the spread in only two of five games. But Kyle Shanahan’s team has won four of five games as a home favorite this season, with the one loss coming to the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago.

The Packers’ win over the Bears in Week 1 was the team’s first victory as a road underdog since Nov. 2017, a span of nine games.

Last season, the Packers were road underdogs six times and lost all six games, including a game in Los Angeles coming out of the bye week.

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Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 12 at 49ers

Predictions for the Packers’ Week 12 battle with the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The Green Bay Packers can take a major step towards securing the top seed in the NFC when they travel to San Francisco to play the 9-1 49ers on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium.

The NFC West-leading 49ers and NFC North-leading Packers enter the matchup as the top two seeds in the conference. The battle marks only the sixth game since 2007 between two teams with two or fewer losses at this point in the season.

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 12 matchup will go down:

Zach Kruse (7-3): 49ers 28, Packers 20

The Packers are healthy coming out of the bye, but the 49ers look like a bad matchup for Matt LaFleur’s team on both sides of the ball. Kyle Shanahan’s team can run the ball, create yards after the catch and produce explosive plays in the passing game, and they are dominant against the pass, with good coverage players and a stacked pass-rush. The Packers need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and get a big night from Aaron Jones to win. It’s possible, but the guess here is that the 49ers fend off an early surge from the Packers and then control the game late.

Jack Wepfer (7-3): 49ers 21, Packers 17

The Packers are fresh and have had the bye week to prepare, but they’re going to struggle with the Niners’ pass rush, and I’m not entirely sure they’re going to have an answer for George Kittle. What the 49ers do well on offense also happens to be what the Packers struggle with on defense. This game feels like a tossup to me, but I’m going with the home field team on this one.

Marty Kauffman (6-4): Packers 23, 49ers 21

This game could be a real-life Spider-Man meme as the Packers and 49ers are very similar teams. Both are unexpected contenders at the top of the NFC this season. Both have playmakers upfront on defenses that aren’t quite defined as elite yet based on their proneness to allowing big plays but they’re winning via turnovers and sacks. And both possess very strong running games that power the offenses. Sunday night is a big test for both teams but after their previous West Coast trip that ended with an embarrassing loss, I think the Packers come extra motivated out of the bye and come away with the win.

Anthony Nash (6-4): 49ers 28, Packers 24

This one has the potential to go down to the wire, but at the end of the day, the Packers still might not be ready to contend against the 49ers’ ferocious defense. Not only do the 49ers have the personnel necessary to do what the Chargers did to the Packers, but they also have an explosive running game led by one of the best offensive minds in the league. Despite that, the Packers have had an extra week to prepare, and the 49ers have looked extremely beatable in their last two games. Still, I’ll be going with the team playing at home this time.

Nolan Stracke (6-4): Packers 24, 49ers 21

This is a game that tips more towards the 49ers in may ways, but for some reason I can’t rationally explain, I’m going with the Packers this week. Green Bay has had plenty of time for rest and preparation for this matchup and it sounds like they’ll be playing with urgency to claim potential home-field advantage in the playoffs. I feel if Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are going to muster an improbable win this season, the time is now.

Joe Kipp (7-3):  Packers 27, 49ers 24

The Packers enter this game nearly fully healthy, which I believe gives them the slight edge in a close game. Some key players have already been ruled out for San Fran (Joe Staley, Dee Ford), with several others questionable; George Kittle being the biggest name. If the Packers want to win they’ll need a complete game from all three phases of offense, defense and special teams. Coach Matt LaFleur talked about the need to see a complete game earlier this week. Sunday night would be a great place to start.

Writer Prediction Score Record
Zach Kruse Loss 28-20 7-3
Jack Wepfer Loss 21-17 7-3
Marty Kauffman Win 23-21 6-4
Anthony Nash Loss 28-24 6-4
Nolan Stracke Win 24-21 6-4
Joe Kipp Win 27-24 7-3

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Aaron Rodgers is NFL’s highest-graded QB on passes to RBs in 2019

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has a passer rating of 131.9 when targeting Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in 2019.

No quarterback in the NFL has a higher grade on passes to running backs this season than Aaron Rodgers, according to Pro Football Focus.

This fact appears important as the Green Bay Packers enter the final six games of the regular season.

Per PFF, Rodgers has been especially good attacking downfield to the running back position – completing 4-of-6 passes thrown at least 10 yards downfield to running backs in 2019, with the four completions gaining 80 yards and producing two touchdowns. And one of the incompletions was Aaron Jones’ drop of a sure-fire touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

Overall, Rodgers has completed 60 passes on 74 attempts for 520 yards and eight touchdowns when targeting Jones and backup running back Jamaal Williams this season.

His passer rating when targeting the pair? 131.9.

Aaron Jones Jamaal Williams Danny Vitale
Receptions 35 25 6
Targets 46 29 8
Yards 354 166 94
Yards/Catch 10.1 6.6 15.7
TDs 3 5 0
Passer rating 119.3 130.1 113.5

Rodgers has also completed six passes for 94 yards to fullback Danny Vitale, who has at least one reception of 20 or more yards in two games this season.

The Packers coaching staff spent the bye week going through a self-scout exercise, and it seems possible that Matt LaFleur and Mike Pettine discovered what the numbers show: Throwing to the running back position might be the best thing going for the Packers offense.

Sunday night in San Francisco could be the perfect time to get Jones and Williams back involved in the passing game. Over the last two games, the pair has produced seven catches for only 38 yards – including just one catch for Jones.

The 49ers have a terrific pass rush and several good players in the secondary, which could make getting the ball to receivers and tight ends difficult on Sunday night. Finding ways to get Jones and Williams in space or matched one-on-one with a linebacker could be an effective strategy for negating the pass rush and finding easy yards in the passing game.

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Packers list Robert Tonyan, Danny Vitale as questionable vs. 49ers

The 49ers, on the other hand, have 7 important players with injury designations.

There’s little doubt which team’s injury report is the favorable one entering Sunday night’s showdown between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

While the Packers listed only two players as questionable and ruled out backup lineman Cole Madison on Friday’s injury report, the 49ers have seven important players with injury designations, including two starters ruled out and two others listed as doubtful.

The Packers are mostly healthy entering Week 12. Tight end Robert Tonyan (hip) and fullback Danny Vitale (knee) are listed as questionable, but both are expected to play. Madison tore his ACL during Thursday’s practice and will eventually go on injured reserve.

The 49ers have some major question marks.

Edge rusher Dee Ford and left tackle Joe Staley are both out. Running back Matt Breida and kicker Robbie Gould are doubtful, and tight end George Kittle and receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel are questionable.

Sixth-round pick Justin Skule will start at left tackle for Staley. Tevin Coleman would likely start at running back if Breida is out, and rookie Chase McLaughlin would be the kicker if Gould can’t go.

Ford, who the 49ers added via trade this offseason, has 6.5 sacks this season.

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Packers at 49ers: 5 things to watch and a prediction

What to watch and who will win when the Packers face the 49ers in a pivotal NFC showdown in San Francisco on Sunday night.

The Green Bay Packers. The San Francisco 49ers. Sunday Night Football. Division leaders. Huge playoff implications.

Games don’t get bigger and more iconic in Week 12 than this.

Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday night’s pivotal NFC showdown:

1. Tough to tackle

Assuming tight end George Kittle plays, the 49ers will have two of the game’s best at creating yards after the catch available to attack a Packers defense that has struggled to tackle people all season. Kittle is an elite athlete and arguably the toughest tight end in the NFL to tackle. Rookie receiver Deebo Samuel is tough as nails and clever after the catch. He’s produced back-to-back games with over 100 receiving yards because teams can’t tackle him in space. Throw in savvy veteran Emmanuel Sanders and a stable of capable running backs, and the 49ers can really pressure Mike Pettine’s group. The Packers need to have their best tackling performance of the season on Sunday night.

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2. Time to feast

Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith are well-known NFL players, but they both could be household names by the end of Sunday night. The primetime matchup against the 49ers offensive tackles should heavily favor the Packers, especially if left tackle Joe Staley doesn’t play. The two Smiths need to consistently hold the edge against the 49ers’ wide zone run game and also collapse the pocket and put the squeeze on Jimmy Garoppolo in the passing game. More so than anyone else, the Smiths hold the keys to a Packers victory. If they can dominate the proceedings, with timely sacks and impact pressures leading to turnover opportunities, the Packers would have a real chance at a statement win.

3. Aaron to Aaron

How will the Packers crack the code of the 49ers defense? It may take a lot of Aaron Rodgers distributing the football to Aaron Jones. He’s the one difference-making player who can slice through tiny openings and create for himself in the run game, and his elusiveness after the catch could help Rodgers find quick, easy yards against a defense that will often rush four and commit seven to coverage. It’s hard to see how the Packers will consistently line up and throw the ball downfield to receivers and tight ends. Rodgers and Matt LaFleur must stay committed to the run and featuring Jones and the running backs in the passing game. During road wins in Dallas and Kansas City, Jones produced 408 total yards and scored six touchdowns.

4. Another test up front

In Los Angeles in Week 9, the Packers offensive line lacked focus early and got overwhelmed as a group by the Chargers’ talented front, led by defensive end Joey Bosa. They rebounded with a dominant collective effort a week later against the Carolina Panthers. Which offensive line will show up Sunday night? The Packers need another strong effort against one of the NFL’s most disruptive and talented fronts in San Francisco. Although Dee Ford may not play, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner are fully capable of wrecking the game if the Packers aren’t up to the challenge. The Packers offensive line needs to avoid pre-snap penalties, open up running lanes on early downs and help the offense stay in manageable down and distances. Oh, and keep Aaron Rodgers protected in the high leverage situations on third down and in the red zone. The offense is in the hands of the offensive line on Sunday night.

5. Eye discipline

This game might come down to which team plays with more discipline at the second level. Both teams are going to stress the opposition with pre-snap motion and deception in an attempt to create that one second of indecisiveness or that one step of misdirection. Here’s the caveat: Both defenses know this type of offense, have practice defending it and should be, in theory, well prepared to react correctly to all the pre-snap and post-snap illusions. Sunday night will be an interesting chess match against two playcallers with similar philosophical foundations. Will the Packers be ready to stop one of the NFL’s most creative run offenses?

Prediction: 49ers 28, Packers 20 (7-3)

The Packers are healthy coming out of the bye, but the 49ers look like a bad matchup for Matt LaFleur’s team on both sides of the ball. Kyle Shanahan’s team can run the ball, create yards after the catch and produce explosive plays in the passing game, and they are dominant against the pass, with good coverage players and a stacked pass-rush. The Packers need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and get a big night from Aaron Jones to win. It’s possible, but the guess here is that the 49ers fend off an early surge from the Packers and then control the game late.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Packers OLB Kyler Fackrell earns high marks in backup role

Packers OLB Kyler Fackrell won’t repeat his production from 2018, but he’s still making the most of his role for Mike Pettine’s defense.

Kyler Fackrell could be bitter and frustrated. And it’d be hard to blame him.

Fresh off a 10.5-sack season in 2018, the Green Bay Packers outside linebacker has just a half-sack in a backup role in 2019, a contract year for the fourth-year edge rusher.

Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine doesn’t sense any bitterness or frustration from Fackrell, even as last year’s production continues to be elusive.

“I know it can be frustrating. That’s what we ask our guys to do. Do your job, and that stuff will come. I could see, some guys, given his circumstances, it would be upsetting. He’s handled it great,” Pettine said Thursday.

In fact, Pettine sees a player earning high marks in his role and making the most of his opportunities, even if those opportunities are fewer thanks to a free-agent spending spree at Fackrell’s position this past spring.

“It’s unfortunate this year he hasn’t had the production that he had a year ago. He’s had some really good rushes and some close calls,” Pettine said. “Some of it is guys are getting there a click before he got there. It’s like with Kenny (Clark), Kenny is playing at an extremely high level, so is Kyler, filling the grade sheet with pluses. The production’s just not there.”

Fackrell delivered a career-high 10.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits during a breakout season in 2018. He has a shared sack and six quarterback hits while playing only 35.6 percent of the defense’s snaps this season.

Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith have played the majority of the defense’s snaps on the edges, leaving Fackrell and first-round pick Rashan Gary with situational work.

All players are looking to cash in big on a second NFL contract. For Fackrell, a third-round pick in 2016, dreams of being a prized free agent next spring might be fading, but if he’s looking for a letter of recommendation, Pettine could be just the guy to provide it.

“He means a lot (to us),” Pettine said. “He’s everything you want, you’re looking for in a guy in your room. He’s smart. He’s tough. He studies the game. He has real good interaction with his teammates and coaches as far as what the opponent is doing.”

Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith recently said Fackrell could start for 31 other NFL teams, although that’s more coaching hyperbole than reality.

The good news for Fackrell: The Packers still have six more regular-season games, including a highly-anticipated primetime showdown with the 49ers on Sunday night and possibly one or more playoff games. There is time to re-write the narrative on his 2019 season.

Like Pettine said, players executing at a high level are often rewarded with production. As the Packers enter the final month and a half of the season, Fackrell could be due.

Packers G Cole Madison suffers significant knee injury, needs surgery

Packers OL Cole Madison tore his ACL during Thursday’s practice and will miss the rest of the 2019 season.

[jwplayer 9MW1mYoC-ThvAeFxT]

The football journey for Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Cole Madison hit another bump in the road on Thursday.

According to coach Matt LaFleur, Madison – who missed all of last season while away dealing with a personal issue – suffered a significant knee injury during Thursday’s practice and will likely need season-ending surgery.

“My heart breaks for him, man,” LaFleur said Friday. “He works hard, and he’s getting better, and it’s just one of those bad injuries.”

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Madison tore his ACL during the practice and will miss the rest of the 2019 season.

Madison, a fifth-round pick of the Packers from Washington State, made the 53-man roster as a backup interior offensive lineman but hasn’t appeared in a game this season.

Throughout the summer, the Packers sounded optimistic about Madison’s development as a young player in a new system.

He missed his entire rookie season while working through mental health issues. The Packers reinstated him to the active roster on April 8.

Recovery from reconstructive surgery will almost certainly rob Madison of the offseason workout program and possibly a good chunk of training camp next year.

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