How do the 49ers stack up against the Packers defense?
The San Francisco 49ers offense will have many ways to attack the Green Bay Packers defense on Sunday, but running the football should be the top priority.
Against the Minnesota Vikings last week, the 49ers ran the ball 47 times for 186 yards (3.9 yards per carry). The Packers are allowing 4.7 YPC, which ranks 26th in the NFL.
In their Week 12 matchup, San Francisco ran the ball 22 times for 112 yards (5.1 YPC). Establishing the run and keeping quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field will be critical in controlling the clock because of the weapons Green Bay has on offense.
When the 49ers pass the ball, they will rely on All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who caught six passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in Week 12. Against tight ends this season, the Packers have allowed 77 receptions (21st in the NFL) and 865 yards (20th in the NFL). Kittle is coming off one of his worst offensive performances of his career against the Vikings — who were one of the top teams at defending tight ends. Kittle finished the game with three receptions for 16 yards.
Being the more physical football team against a team with star pass rushers Preston and Za’Daruis Smith and linebacker Blake Martinez will be key. Za’Darius Smith led the Packers this season with 13.5 sacks, while Preston Smith was second with 12.5. Martinez registered 155 tackles this season, which ranked second in the NFL behind Seahawks’ linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The 49ers have shown this season they don’t shy away from contact and could exploit one of the Packers’ weaknesses on defense, which is yards after contact, a category Green Bay ranks 16th in.
It will be a chess match between 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who have a noted history together.
Pettine was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2014 when Shanahan was his offensive coordinator. Shanahan left after one season to become the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons before being hired by the 49ers in 2017.
As a head coach, Shanahan has faced a Pettine-led defense twice. The 49ers offense put up 30 points in a loss last year with C.J. Beathard at quarterback and 37 points in Week 12 this season.