Moving

Inexperienced Bay Packers Will Host San Francisco 49ers in NFC Divisional Playoffs

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — There will be no shortage of drama as the Green Bay Packers host the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC divisional playoff game next weekend.

There’s the Packers’ decade-long quest for another Super Bowl. There’s Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s icy relationship with his colleague Kyle Shanahan. There’s Green Bay’s playoff story against San Francisco. And there’s the next tune in Aaron Rodgers’ potential “last dance” season with the Packers.

As No. 1 in the NFC playoffs, the Packers earned the first-round bye and the right to host the lowest remaining seed of the wildcard weekend. That’s sixth-ranked San Francisco, who upset Mike McCarthy’s third-ranked Dallas Cowboys by 11:17 on Sunday.

The Cowboys bounced back from a 23-7 deficit and had an opportunity when Niner’s All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams was called out for a false start in what would have been a crucial quarterback sneak with 40 seconds left. Dallas started at 20 with 32 seconds remaining. A trick play won 20, a screen won 10, and another finisher gained 10 more to the Niners’ 40 with 14 seconds to go. Dak Prescott climbed to the 24 of the 49ers, was tackled within bounds and time was up when the official spotted the ball.

The rematch between the Packers and 49ers could be played on Saturday — and maybe in the primetime slot. In the past 20 years of the playoffs, the NFC and AFC have each had a divisional playoff game on Saturday and another on Sunday. Since the winner of Monday night’s Cardinals-Rams game will almost certainly play in Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Green Bay game could go ahead on Saturday.

In any case, it will be cold, although perhaps not bitterly cold.

The Packers defeated the 49ers 30-28 in Week 3. In a game that pitted two of the NFC’s supposed – and eventual – powerhouses, the Packers won in dramatic fashion.

Trailing 28-27 with 37 seconds and zero timeouts, Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for gains of 25 yards to midfield and 17 yards to the 33-yard line. After the second close, Rodgers jabbed the ball and vigorously pumped his fist into position with Mason Crosby to win the game with a 51-yard field goal.

Crosby did just that – the kick was almost blocked – and sparked a big celebration as the Packers pulled off the excitement.

“It felt like it was such a growth moment for us,” Rodgers said afterwards. “I’m really glad the guys are feeling that, and it feels like, ‘OK, now we’re on our way. Now we can go for it, now we know how to win and we can take this thing in the right direction.’”

Looking ahead, not looking back, a disparity in Green Bay’s favor is revenue. Green Bay finished third in the league with a revenue gain of 13. It ranked first in the league with 13 giveaways. it had 10 before the backups spat it out three times in Detroit. The 49ers finished 22nd with minus 4.

A mismatch in San Francisco’s favor is the red zone. Green Bay ranked 23rd in red zone defense while San Francisco ranked first in red zone offense.

Green Bay’s new and potentially improved offensive line, with left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Josh Myers, who has returned from knee injuries to start against Detroit, is being tested by the 49ers’ excellent defensive line. Even with Nick Bosa on concussion log for much of the game, San Francisco recorded five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, limiting Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott to 31 yards on 12 carries (2.6 average).

The Packers haven’t won the Super Bowl since 2010. To keep the season alive and earn a third straight NFC Championship game, Rodgers must avenge some bad playoff stories. Rodgers was picked from the playoffs three times by the 49ers: 37-20 in the 2019 NFC Championship Game in San Francisco, 23-20 at Lambeau Field in the 2013 wild card round, and 45-31 in the Divisional Round in San Francisco.

This season, the 49ers’ offense ranked 13th with 25.1 points per game, seventh in total offense (375.7 yards per game) and first in yards per game (8.2). Defensively, they ranked 12th with 21.5 points allowed per game, but third in overall defense (310.3), third in sack percentage (8.8) and seventh in terms of that Goal before goal (63.3 percent touchdowns).

“Lots of cleats” was Rodgers’ take on the 49ers’ defense ahead of the September game.

A few more notable numbers:

The Packers went 5-1 against playoff teams, including 5-0 against Rodgers. The 49ers went 5-4 including their win over Dallas.

With Rodgers leading the passer rating lead, the plus-20.5 rating difference ranked the Packers fourth in the league. The 49ers ranked 17th, up-2.5, despite Jimmy Garoppolo completing at least 70 percent of his passes and averaging at least 9.0 yards per attempt in his last three games of the regular season. However, he only had a 67.4 rating against Dallas.

Going 7-2 on the stretch, the 49ers outscored those nine teams by an average plus 11.3. The Niners were third in yardage differential, once contrary to what is believed to be a dangerous team. They ran 169 yards against the Cowboys.

Green Bay was the least penalized team in the NFL, while San Francisco had the worst penalty yardage differential.

The Packers and 49ers shared eight playoff games. Overall, Green Bay leads the series 38-32-1.

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