Week 9: Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers
The Green Bay Packers shocked the world when they traded up in the first round to draft quarterback Jordan Love. Many football experts – myself included – assumed that a team one win away from a Super Bowl appearance would look to improve for the 2020 season by drafting someone who could immediately contribute, such as a wide receiver. Options were available to them at that point, such as Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr.
Instead, they went with a player who might not even see the field in 2020.
Beyond the Love selection, they added a bruiser of a running back in A.J. Dillion, and a H-Back type of player in Josiah Deguara on Day Two.
What might this foretell? A movement offensively in the direction of what the San Francisco 49ers themselves are running. When Matt LaFleur discussed the Deguara selection, he indicated that the organization views him as their Kyle Juszczyk. LaFleur is trying to put together an offense that will use personnel to their advantage, much like the 49ers do. They will throw out of 21 and 12 offensive personnel, and try to attack base defensive looks.
The 49ers game is a perfect test for this model, given what happened last year. While the Packers finished 13-3, only three of their wins came against playoff teams. They swept the Minnesota Vikings and beat Kansas City when the Chiefs were playing without Patrick Mahomes. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles at home, and the Los Angeles Chargers on the road.
They also lost twice to the 49ers, both on the road, and gave up 37 points in each game while managing to score just eight points in their regular season meeting, and 20 in their playoff meeting.
This matchup will be a great test of whether their bets in the offseason are paying off.