The Green Bay Packers come into Levi’s Stadium for a big Week 3 showdown with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. San Francisco won their second in a row to start the season with a 17-11 win over the Eagles on the road on Sunday. After succeeding on the road to open the season, they make their home-opener against a Green Bay team that had an important win on MNF. After falling to the Saints in puzzling fashion and starting slow against the Lions, and falling behind, the Packers turned it on in the second half and pulled away. They finally looked like the team some expected to see. Who can notch the cover in the Bay on Sunday Night Football?
Trouble on the Horizon for San Fran?
One really can’t say much after a 2-0 start in road games. The 49ers look pretty solid. But some issues are starting to crop up. The run is a big part of their offensive formula. Otherwise, it’s the dicey proposition of QB Jimmy Garoppolo leading an air-heavy attack. With Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon, and JyMycal Hasty all injured in their win over the Eagles, they will be thin in the backfield. Sermon and Mitchell are listed as questionable. This isn’t a great matchup to be compromised, especially after seeing how good Packers’ back Aaron Jones looked last week.
While the 49ers’ defense has shined in spots, keeping Detroit under wraps until very late and then holding Philly to 11 points, there are things more complete offenses with better quarterbacks can seize upon. Will their secondary hold up under Rodgers, Adams, and all their other weapons? The San Fran front seven would appear to match up well against the Packers. And their pass-rush appears to be a factor this week. But this Niners’ “D” will be tested, unlike they have in the first two weeks this season.
Good Spot for the Packers?
It’s been more of a grind than some thought it would be. Through two games, we basically have six quarters where they didn’t look good and two where they did. The two were the last half they played, so maybe they can pick up where they left off. But Rodgers willing himself to take over the game was easier against the Detroit “D” than it will be in this spot. But there is cause for optimism. It’s just predicated on the Packers being themselves, something that hasn’t been automatic this season yet.
The Packers defense has a lot to contain through the air. But those SF offensive contributors don’t always show up. And that Niners’ offensive line seems to have holes, something a GB defense that started looking better on MNF could exploit. That shortcoming could be heightened with the San Francisco running game has now hit a wall. Still, between the two teams, only Green Bay has been the one to collapse defensively.
- Get more details: GB/SF 9/26/21 Match-up Stats
Biggest Edge for Green Bay
With the injuries for the 49ers, the disparity grows between the two offensive units. The Packers wield a consistently applied offensive attack where you can depend on certain things. It doesn’t always work, as week one shows, but you know Rodgers is probably going to be effective, Davante Adams will get his, and someone else will usually step up. On the other sideline, you have a QB they’re looking to replace at some point, a tattered running game, and guys like George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, two players with a high ceiling who don’t always surface in a given week.
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