The Green Bay Packers are set to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in an highly anticipated NFC Championship game. Both the Packers and the 49ers will battle it out for the right to continue on to Super Bowl LIV.
Each team has had its ups and downs over the season; however, lets look at a few facts and keys points going into the game. At the end, I’ll give you my prediction.
Green Bay Packers:
The Packers, Coached by Matt Lafleur (1 year HC) (11 years coaching experience), are 14-3 with Aaron Rodgers starting at the helm.
Aaron Rodgers:
This season Rodgers completed 62 % of his throws combined with 4002 passing yards, 26 Touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Rodgers needs to get out of the pocket and limit his hero ball.
Keys for Green Bay: 23 points per game/ allowed 19.6 points per game.
Davante Adams:
• 83 recoveries, 997 yards, 5 touchdowns
Davante Adams is an animal in space. It would behoove of the Packers to feed him often and early.
Aaron Jones:
• 236 rushes, 1084 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
Jones will need to limit the mistakes made during the their first matchup (Loss 37-8 49ers). In that game, he had 13 carries for a measly 38 yards. This factor could also be attributed to the fierce 49er rush defense (17th in NFL). Well maybe not all that fierce but competent to game plan.
These players need to set the tone and aid Rodgers who will be limited by the presence of Richard Sherman.
The 49ers: 29 points per game/ allowed 19.4 points per game
Jimmy Garoppolo:
Jimmy G has completed 69.1 % of his passes this season for 3,978 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 Inteceptions. He needs to limit his mistakes and hold on to the ball plain and simple. Jimmy G can’t get caught up in trying to force the ball (13 interceptions).
George Kittle: Assuming he’s all go.
Kittle is a beast among men tallying 85 recoveries, 1053 yards, and 5 touchdowns.
Jimmy G obviously needs to keep his sights on Kittle. Of course, the Packers know this but knowing is much different than stopping. Kittle has a knack for finding the soft spot of the field and is a brilliant actor when faking the block only to snag a pass from underneath. He will definitely be a redzone option 1.
Raheem Mostert aka Mr. Everything:
Mostert has 137 rushes, 772 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Mostert can do a little bit of everything including special teams play. A part of his game that has been over looked is his catching. He’s been targeted 22 times, 14 completed catches for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns. What’s special about his ability is that he’s averaging 11.3 yards a catch. This overlooked ability may be used to surprise the Packers.
Matchups:
The last 5 matchups between the Packers and 49ers (Pro-Football-refence.com):
Nov 24, 2019 @SF 37, GB 8
Oct 15, 2018 SF 30, @GB 33
Oct 4, 2015 @SF 3, GB 17
Jan 5, 2014 SF 23, @GB 20
Sep 8, 2013 @SF 34, GB 28
My Predication:
I am picking the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Green Bay Packers 28-21. The 49ers have scored 17 touchdowns in their last 3 games. I believed the defense will play more of part than the offense in that Richard Sherman has showed that he’s not to be played with. This limits half of the field and decreases Rodgers elbow room.
Im not expecting a blowout. The Packers have enough tape on the 49ers including the same tape in which they looked terrible on. Much more, they can gamble on what plays worked against certain players and build off that.
Let me know who you’re picking and why. Thanks for reading family!
49ers photo: Via 49ers Twitter page
Packers photo: Via NFLSPINzone.com
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