A glance at the 49ers - Green Bay game; including, game information, match to watch, three keys to the game and injury report.
49ERS GAME AT A GLANCE
• Opponent: Green Bay Packers
• Time: 1:25 p.m.
• Line: Packers by 5
• Records (2011): 49ers 14-4, Packers 15-2
• TV/Radio: FOX40 (Joe Buck play-by-play, Troy Aikman color), 680, 1320.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
49ers right defensive end Justin Smith vs. Packers left tackle Marshall Newhouse
Smith, a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, is a handful for the left side of any offensive line. Pairing him with Aldon Smith almost makes it unfair. The 49ers want to do what the Giants did to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in January – pressure him with only four pass rushers, leaving everyone else to cover Rodgers' talented targets. If Newhouse, a third-year player, can't handle Justin Smith, Rodgers will be on the run.
THREE KEYS TO GAME
• The 49ers' offense had great success on the ground in the preseason and will try to continue that momentum against Green Bay. A robust rushing attack not only will keep the ball out of Rodgers' hands, it will take the bite out of the Packers' blitzing defense.
• The 49ers tied for the league lead with 38 takeaways last season. Who matched them? The Packers. Both defenses will be aggressively pursuing turnovers. The offense that protects the ball the best will be the one that wins.
• The 49ers found out last season that one – or two – special-teams mistakes can cost them a close game. Kyle Williams resumes his role as punt returner today, and he'll be looking to make amends for his last game.
INJURY REPORT
49ERS
• Questionable: WR Ted Ginn (ankle), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee)
PACKERS
• Out: RB James Starks (toe), LB Jamari Lattimore (ankle), CB Davon House (shoulder)
• Probable: DT B.J. Raji (ankle), TE Tom Crabtree (shoulder), LB Robert Francois (hamstring), S Sean Richardson (hamstring), RB Alex Green (knee)
– Matthew Barrows
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