The Green Bay Packers will go back to San Francisco with an opportunity to avenge a 37-8 loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
To preview the title game, we asked five questions of Kyle Madson, the managing editor of Niners Wire.
Packers Wire: The 49ers beat the Vikings 27-10 in the Divisional Round. Just how dominant of a performance was it for Kyle Shanahan’s team?
Niners Wire: It was more dominant than even the final score indicates. San Francisco ran the ball 47 times on offense, including an eight-play touchdown drive that was all run plays. They held Minnesota to seven first downs, while forcing eight combined punts and field goals. The Vikings had a 71-yard touchdown drive on their second possession that was aided by a 41-yard touchdown catch by Stefon Diggs on blown coverage from Ahkello Witherspoon, who was promptly benched. After that, the Vikings gained 24 yards on their next 8 drives. Their only other points came off a Jimmy Garoppolo interception before the half that gave the Vikings the ball in field goal range. There aren’t a lot of ways the 49ers didn’t shut down Minnesota.
Packers Wire: The most complete team left in the field might be the 49ers. Are there any specific weaknesses to know about this team?
Niners Wire: Yeah. Jimmy Garoppolo’s penchant for turning the ball over is a huge concern for San Francisco. His gunslinger style leads to some incredible plays, but the flip side is 2-4 head-scratching mistakes per game. A lot of the 49ers’ success rides on whether opponents can turn his mistakes into takeaways.
Another weakness late in the year was the secondary. With their vaunted pass rush struggling to get to the quarterback, and injuries putting multiple reserves on the field, the 49ers’ pass defense struggled. I think Green Bay moves the pocket a lot and gets some pre-snap motion flowing to throw off those Niners’ defensive linemen and give Aaron Rodgers time to find weaknesses on the back end.
Packers Wire: One of the Packers’ biggest strengths is rushing the passer. How good are the 49ers are in pass protection? Is there a weak link?
Niners Wire: The 49ers have done a nice job in pass protection this season. Backup center Ben Garland and right guard Mike Person are two players I’m watching closely with Kenny Clark lining up in the middle of the line. The interior has done a nice job this season, but the Packers are a headache to block up front, and the inexperienced offensive line could have issues.
Packers Wire: Everyone knows the 49ers stomped the Packers in the first meeting. Does anything about the rematch make you nervous for the 49ers?
Niners Wire: Yeah. No. 12. As long as Rodgers is lining up under center, Green Bay is dangerous. The first game wasn’t indicative of the talent gap between these clubs. Bryan Bulaga going down was huge. A ticky-tack personal foul on Davante Adams wiped out an early big play and then Rodgers’ fumble gave the 49ers the ball at the Packers’ 2. The 49ers had to be good enough to take advantage, but a lot of things just didn’t go the Packers’ way in that first meeting. I expect it to play out a little more evenly this time, and any time Rodgers is the opposing quarterback in a close game, there’s cause for concern.
Packers Wire: The 49ers win if…?
Niners Wire: They follow the model that’s worked for them this season. They ride their rushing attack and their pass rush. Garoppolo shouldn’t throw it more than 27 or 30 times, and if the defensive line can get to Rodgers like they did in the first meeting, it’s hard to imagine anyone knocking off this team.
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