Game: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Date & Time: Sunday January 19th, 2020, 6:40 (EST)
Location: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco, CA
The Line: San Francisco 49ers -7.5, O/U 45
TV Channel: FOX
Which legendary franchise makes it out of the loaded NFC? Aaron Rodgers tries to make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011.
NFL Regular Season Record: 60-50-3
NFL Playoff Record: 4-4
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers Preview
If people think Aaron Rodgers wasted his prime years, he’s on a mission to prove them wrong. The All-Pro QB is now one-win away from his 2nd Super Bowl, which would cement him among the greats of NFL history. What’s standing in his way? The 13-3 San Francisco 49ers, who look every bit as dominant as their record indicates.
The 49ers thoroughly dominated the Minnesota Vikings in their Divisional matchup. Their pass-rush enforced their will all game long, and eventually Kirk Cousins couldn’t drop back without running for his life. On top of that, star RB Dalvin Cook was held to 18 yards rushing. It was a truly dominating performance for the San Francisco defense.
The Packers escaped against the Seahawks, 28-23, covering the spread (-4.5)- in the process. I say escaped because they held a 28-10 lead late in the 3rd quarter, then Russell Wilson happened. He lead the Seahawks to back-to-back touchdown drives, although they couldn’t complete the 2-point conversion on the latter.
In their Week 12 meeting, the 49ers absolutely suffocated the Packers offense in a 37-8 victory. The defense took everything away. Rodgers threw for only 104, and his 3.15 yards per attempt was the worst of his career.
The game changed about a minute into the game, as the on the Packers opening drive, Fred Warner got to Rodgers for a strip-sack. One play later, the 49ers were up 7-0, and never looked back. It’s always an interesting exercise to think “What if?” What if the Packers don’t fumble on that first drive. They may not have won, but it may not have snowballed to a 37-8 defeat?
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers Betting Lines
- The O/U for the game is 45
- The 49ers are 7.5 point favorites on Draftkings
- The 49ers are -345 on the ML, Packers +290
NFC Championship Pick
It’s safe to say that this game won’t be 37-8 again. The Packers are too good of a team, and have been on a roll of their own lately. That being said, the 49ers are still 7.5 point favorites against a team that has won 14 games to this point.
The 49ers simply wear you down. Their 3-headed rushing attack can beat you up the middle and to the sidelines, and their defense attacks you from all angles. The matchup to watch in this game will be Packers Davante Adams against Richard Sherman. The Packers don’t have too many weapons in the passing game, as Adams is clearly Rodgers’ #1 target, and go-to guy. If Sherman can take him away, it may be another long day for the Packers O.
With the 49ers favored by 7.5 in this game, it’ll be important for Green Bay to get off to a good start. I don’t see it happening. I think the 49ers will assert their dominance once more, and hold a lead throughout. I expect a 10 point victory for the San Francisco faithful, as they look to win their 6th Super Bowl in team history.
