NFC Championship Game: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Packers 13-3, 1-0; 49ers 13-3, 1-0
Line: 49ers by 7½
Satellite radio: Packers feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 811), 49ers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 827)
Packers’ keys: The Packers have to get RB Aaron Jones and the run game going. The 49ers got an early lead in Week 12 and forced Green Bay to get one-dimensional. The result was Packers QB Aaron Rodgers spending most of the night under duress. Newly signed do-everything RB Tyler Ervin will add a wrinkle of speed that could help attack the edges of a vulnerable 49ers run defense. On defense, the Packers need to slow the 49ers’ run game. That starts up front with DE Za’Darius Smith and DL Kenny Clark. LB Blake Martinez is key in the middle as well in stopping the run and helping slow San Francisco TE George Kittle.
49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo had 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the divisional round against the Vikings. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to get away with such limited production from their quarterback. However, if RBs Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert go for nearly 5 yards per carry again, the 49ers will roll. On defense, they need a repeat of their Week 12 performance versus Green Bay when they had five sacks. DE Dee Ford is a game-changer in the pass rush and didn’t play in Week 12.
Matchup to watch: Packers LT David Bakhtiari vs. 49ers DE Nick Bosa. Bosa is the driving force behind the 49ers’ terrific pass rush. If Bakhtiari can win most of his snaps against Bosa, it’ll eliminate some of the danger of San Francisco’s defensive front.
Who wins? The 49ers’ multifaceted offensive attack combined with a healthy defense should be enough. 49ers 31, Packers 27
—Kyle Madson
Lines by BetMGM.com
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.