Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers
When: Saturday, Jan. 12, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Candlestick Park
TV: Fox
The temperature for Saturday night’s game at Candlestick Park is supposed to be 41 degrees. It will be roughly 30 degrees lower than the first time these teams played on opening day. The wind shouldn’t play a factor in the outcome of the game either. One week after overcoming Adrian Peterson, and the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay hits the road for a rematch against San Francisco. The 49ers opened the regular season with an 8 point road victory. Deep down inside, both organizations knew this game had a high probability occurring in January.
Both teams were dominant last year, and it seemed they were poised for a showdown in the 2012 NFC championship game. However, the Giants ruined both of their seasons in route to the Super Bowl.
This season, Green Bay won the NFC North with an (11-5) record, while San Francisco finished with an (11-4-1) season. San Francisco won the west over the Seattle Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers is making his first road start in the playoffs since he led the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. That season, Rodgers won three road games at Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago. Saturday may be the toughest test of Aaron Rodgers career.
San Francisco is third in total defense and caused havoc for Aaron Rodgers’ offense. They sacked Rodgers three times and pressured him all game long. Still, the fourth quarter belonged to the Packers when Rodgers finally got in a groove. Green Bay scored 15 points in the final period. The Packers weren’t able to convert their final drive to tie the game.
Aldon Smith and Justin Smith are very important to the 49ers defensive plans. Justin is prepared to give it a go with a torn triceps muscle. Aldon should be double teamed for most of the day. San Francisco is strong against the run and pass, because they don’t substitute their linebackers during third down situations. Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis are two of the best linebackers in the game today. They lead the 49ers in tackles.
Rodgers threw 39 touchdown passes this season, and only eight interceptions. They finally started to find a running game with the emergence of DuJuan Harris. He must provide some much needed rushing yards against the vaunted 49ers defense.
Green Bay will attack the 49ers pass defense with multiple weapons. The Packers are known to drop passes, but they will need to play a clean game on Saturday. If they are able to find the rhythm against San Francisco’s defense, they’ll be able to keep the defensive backs off balance.
Colin Kaepernick has taken the place for Alex Smith, and the jury is still out on Jim Harbaugh’s decision. In Kaepernick’s short time, as the 49ers starter, he has won five games. Colin has thrown 10 interceptions and three interceptions. While he has become a threat for San Francisco, Frank Gore is the main weapon for the 49ers. Frank Gore and the offensive line must win the battle up front. If they can keep the ball away from the Green Bay offense, the 49ers defense will not get tired.
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