Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are ready for the 49ers. | Facebook/Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are ready for the 49ers. | Facebook/Aaron Rodgers
If Week 3 of the regular season was any indication, the Jan. 22 game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers should be a good one.
The Pack edged out the 49ers 30-28 back in September. But this one, of course, carries the one-and-done consequence, where the loser’s season will be over.
“That’s what excites me. That’s what scares me. The finality of it all,” tweeted Mercedes Lewis, a Packers fan.
San Francisco (10-7 in the regular season) earned the rematch by surprising the Dallas Cowboys 23-17 during Wild Card Weekend. Green Bay, tops in the NFC after the regular season with a 13-4 record, earned a first-round bye.
The Packers have had a few challenges this year, including with the special teams unit. That said, with Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus returning to the lineup they should have an improved pass rush, which could pressure San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into some mistakes, according to an article in dairylandexpress.com.
Green Bay has a balanced offense, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers can run the two-minute drill effectively, even when they don’t need to rush down the field. But the offensive line will have to protect against a pretty good rush from the Niners.
The Pack also has more playoff experience in recent years.
Vegas odds show Green Bay as the favorite, at -6.
"What a beautiful opportunity," Lewis tweeted. "The playoffs!! #GoPackGo."
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