This game will be decided in the trenches - if the 49ers' ferocious front 7 puts Rodgers in duress all day, don't expect to win unless we manage to do the exact same to them to at least even it out. I pray that we start the game out with some quick and easy passes to get a couple of first downs - trying to force the long-ball at the start of the game against these kinds of excellent physical defenses seems to be how we often lose these games. Rodgers gets rattled after being pressured and hit countless times early on, we're forced off of the field quickly and repeatedly, the defense is worn down and subsequently breaks entirely, and we find ourselves in a 3 to 4-score deficit by the half...which also has the unfortunate effect of making it so we can't even lean on the run game and thus we become even more one-dimensional and predictable. Then we change strategies and do what we should've been doing to begin with in the second half (aka quick and reliable plays that also have the benefit of opening up the offense more down the line) and manage to get the game close in the 4th, but we're not quite able to make up for all the first half errors.

I'm dearly hoping we don't repeat this horrid process for the umpteenth time.

More than any game I can recall in recent memory, this game will be influenced by how the first two possessions proceed for each team. Each team is going to be sky high at kickoff, and the team which can control that and direct it to positive results will establish its game identity.

There can be no slow starts, need to find our rhythm, feel them out.

They must start fast whether on offense or defense and set the tone for what's to come.

In the cold, hostile environment of Lambeau, the Packers need to rip the heart out of the Niners early, eat it in front of them, and spend the rest of the game carving up the carcass.

This is a different time. On the road versus home. Cold versus warm. A dinged QB. New defense. Better ILB.

All of the teams left are good. To win the Super Bowl you have to beat good teams. Go Oack

This is a different time. On the road versus home. Cold versus warm. A dinged QB. New defense. Better ILB.

All of the teams left are good. To win the Super Bowl you have to beat good teams. Go Oack

"Packers can give the 49ers a taste of their own medicine."

This is something I fully expect the Packers to do. Having David Bakhtiari and Josh Meyers is huge, especially in the run game. Meyers is a big physical guy, forget he's a rookie, he's MADE to run the football in January in below zero weather. Bakhtiari is the best LT in football. I think both Jones and Dillon will be huge this weekend, and I fully expect them to beat this team by double digits.

Deebo Samuel... I'd imagine the Packers handle Samuel the same way they handled Dalvin Cook in week 16 when everybody was every bit as freaked out about stopping Cook, especially after what Nick Chubb had done to them the week before. The Packers defense will SWARM to the ball and tackle like they have all season...Very well!. The D-line will occupy the 49ers O-Line while Campbell and Barnes nail his ass before he has a chance to get going...Just like they did to Cook.

Jimmy G... Personally I can't wait to watch Jimmy G try to throw the ball (and he'll need to) with ligament damage on his thumb on his throwing hand. The thumb is pretty important in being able to grip the football. Throw in the fact that the ball is hard as a rock, slippery as hell, AND he'll be facing a Packers pass rush which should be the best we've seen this year, it should be next to impossible. I remember in week 3 when Jimmy G drove them down the field to take the lead leaving what, 37 seconds on the clock. He was ALL smiles on the sideline. About 37 seconds later as Mason drilled a 51 yard FG he wasn't smiling no mo... Sunday Jimmy G, Deebo, or that OVERRATED Shanahan won't be smiling much at all... MLF, the REAL offensive guru will be the one smiling with his entire team.

#12 Quarters to go!

I think everyone would feel a lot better if we felt confident the Packers could play a full 60 minutes of football. Since that has not happened all year, I think it is a reasonable concern until shown otherwise. Once you get to playing only the best teams, the season record doesn't mean much.

GPG!

Well, let me get this out of the way first, "Instead, what’s great about Spotted Cow is that it never, ever disappoints." I have commented frequently that (small sample size) the one and only Spotted Cow I had while back to Wisconsin VASTLY disappointed me. Granted, I'm hardly a beer connoisseur, but I ordered a different beer for my second as the first tasted (if I could even use the word taste) flat and was not impressive in any way. Sorry, Tim, but you'll have to amend that statement. Frankly, your taste in beers strikes me as a bit weird as I don't get the love for all these "fruity" beers that you usually feature. If I want a fruit drink I'll drink one, if I want a beer it darn well better taste like a beer! Okay, all the Spotted Cow lovers can down vote that comment, but I was honestly excited to try this beer after all the love Nagler, in particular, gives to it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement! By the way the second beer (an October Halloween special) was spectacular and I wish I'd noted what it was, only know it was from a specialty brewer near the Wisconsin Dells.

Now onto the important (Packers) topic. I have to agree that past performance doesn't translate going forward (Hey, do you do part time work as a financial advisor, LOL). I don't care what shape Jimmy G. is in as I expect he'll only be handing off again as the Packers have been soft against the run and an ice-cold field should favor the offense. If Arod uses ALL his weapons (especially Dillion and AJ) I think this game will go well for the Packers. The cold field conditions may negate a lot of the 49ers speed as the Packers will be wearing the right spikes (I hope).
If QB1 stays true to the MLF offense I have no fear of the 49ers. GPG!

...It’s not an incredible beer, but it’s always satisfying. And it’s a great tailgating beer, because if you’re going to be putting down a lot of em, you want something drinkable and easily paired with a brat...

Nail on the head. At 4.8 ABV, you can look forward to the next one while enjoying the one in your hand.

As much as this Aaron Rodgers' "redemption game", this is Matt Lafleur's coming of age. He has been slow coming off byes and we can't afford to 3 quarters to "figure" things out. We have had a ton of time to get healthy and prepare so guys better know their assignments. Should be our best game of the year - I'll stock the fridge.

Go Packers

49’rs fans are thinking they will come to Lambeau and win, some state easily. The only chance they have is to stop GB Offense or create multiple TO’s

They think their D can shut down this Arod led offense that also includes “thunder and lightning”. One that has a WR that cannot be guarded. An offense coaching staff that keeps defenses on their toes. A QB who doesn’t turn the ball over. A group of unselfish WR’s, H-back, TE group who love to block for these stars. And, of course, with Bak, Meyers and Turner back one of the best OL in the biz. Even without that OL in tact, this O has averaged over 30 points a game in the 2nd half of the year. Can SF score 30+ points? I highly doubt it and expect a 10+ victory with a score around 34-17.

Super bowl or bust!

Lets play the game. No more fan chatter.

My only concern is if the game is decided by special teams the Packers are doomed.

Something many Packers fans need to consider is how do the 49ers fans feel about coming to GB? The last time we played the 49ers we had to go to their house. This time, they come to us. The last time was Rodgers first year in LaFleur's system. Its completely different now. We are a completely different team from that 2019 team.

From 2019 we are a completely different team, but even from our week 3 matchup we are a completely different team. Dillon for example is a much better player now then he was early in the season. Against the 49ers the first matchup he had 6 carries for 18 yards. I'm willing to bet he will be much more involved in the offense this time around.
The OL is going to be completely different. Bakhtiari appears to be starting at LT. Yosh started that game. Runyan is a much improved player from that game till now. Myers likely the OC, and Patrick the RG. Our OL will be much better overall. At least they need to be.
The biggest difference will be at CB. Stokes is a much different player now then he was that week. Down the stretch he has been able to lock down the CB spot. Douglas wasn't on the team and since could have been an All Pro candidate.
Getting Z, Mercilus and Jaire back will be huge helps!

What will the Packers do about Deebo Samuel?
What i'm curious to see is how do they handle Samuel when he is lined up in the backfield. Earlier in the year when teams did that, they used Black and that was basically a disaster. So the question will be who do they use to cover him?

Packers can give the 49ers a taste of their own medicine-
I expect the Packers to turn to the RB's more in this game. Whether its through the running game or through the passing game, I am expecting to see Jones and Dillon getting a lot of touches. I'm guessing they will both get 15 touches. The play action game should be a big part of the game.

I know Stats don’t always tell the story but you also cannot ignore them. GB is 8-0 at home this year. At home, GB scores 8 more PPG and give up 6 less PPG with a 13.9 average margin of victory……enough said! GPG

I don't think that SF can beat us playing straight-up football, so I think they'll go sandlot and do the following:

- Replace Garapolo (or however you spell his name) with Lance for multiple plays, especially near the goal line. It's possible that Lance will start, as a last minute surprise gift from Shanahan to LaFleur.

- Put two running threats in Lance and Samuel in the backfield at the same time, possibly running an option play from Lance to Samuel, who may have the option to pass it.

- Run at least one (and probably more ) wildcat plays with direct snaps to Samuel. One of these plays will see Samuel run to his right and then pass it downfield. That play will (*sigh*) be successful for a long gain.

- Run at least one true trick play, and probably a fake punt or FG.

I do expect that we'll give up at least two long plays, at least one of which will involve Samuel. He is, I think, their key to winning this game and, as other posters have commented, if we keep him under control, we win. I really hope that MLF and his staff have planned for the advent of Lance and the distinct possibility of lots of trickery from SF.

Is Rodgers going to lead this team to victory, or is he going to play like a $20 million/year QB and put up some nice numbers and fall short again?

The QB position is all about leadership. Bart could lead. Brady can lead. Montana could lead. We're going to find out if Rodgers can lead this team to the title. He has a very good team around him, we're at home for two games. Come on Aaron, lead this team to a win.

Backes' butt has 18" of aluminum bleacher space waiting for it at Lambeau. NFCCG. So it has been written. So it shall be done. GPG!

I go both ways on this game. I can see scenarios where either team wins, and I can see scenarios where either team wins by multiple scores. In the end, my gut says it will be all about momentum: get a fast start, force some early 3-and-outs for SF, and let the momentum build and cold weather take their toll on the Niners. I think it ends up a one-score game: the Packers have played 9 one-score games and are 6-3, the Niners have played 10 and are 5-5: Packers 28, SF 23.

Nervous? Absolutely. What if Trey Lance is the QB instead of Jimmy G? How quickly could the Packers adjust to that change? And although Kittle has been a non-factor in the previous games, that is irrelevant. He can wreak havoc if given the chance. Also, Shanahan and LaFleur are very familiar with each other. Is there an advantage there? Besides, getting guys back after long layoffs is good in the longer term, but short term, like this game, you can be they'll be used more sparingly. Finally, there is the "X-factor". Who expected Raheem Mostert to become a great RB at the perfect time? And the thought of facing the Bucs again in the NFC championship game?

I'm not one of those who are worried about the Niners. The only reason why they are considered "hot" is because they sucked until the last few games. I expect them to go out with a whimper this Saturday.

The Niners have three great runners, Samuel, Lance, and no one has yet mentioned Elijah Mitchel who has been a revelation for them this year. When he's played he's been one of the better backs in the league breaking tackles and making big plays. There's a lot of speed on this team and their receivers aren't nothing. Aside from Samuels, Aiyuk and Jennings are players to be accounted for. But it's the run that is most dangerous, and I honestly believe, given Garoppolo's mediocre talent as a passer, and his injuries, we'll be seeing a lot of Lance, Samuel, and Mitchell and it will be run, run, run.

Yet the Packers will stop them, despite what I believe is the Packer's weakest link; Joe Barry.

I have been a major critic of Barry all year and still believe he's one of the three major weaknesses of this team; the other two being ST, and lack of a really good #2 receiver (imagine OBJ opposite Adams. You can talk up MVS all you want but damn that was a fail not signing OBJ). I just can't get out of my mind how bad Barry's schemes have been the last two months. Predicated on stopping the long pass, he lets teams march down the field, which eats up time, and keeps Rodgers off the field. I'd prefer a D that tries to get three and outs, not give up 7 and 8-minute drives.

But we'll win because there is simply too much talent on this defense now. King and Sullivan will sit so there isn't really a weak spot to exploit anywhere. Gary will have to hold the edge and Campbell will plug the holes and they'll stuff the run.

This is a really powerful Packer team right now and Rodgers is motivated. I think it's a blowout. 38-17

I don't know why, but this postseason feels like '96, or should I say perhaps the precipice of a '96, where everything just came together. That team was so dominant; perhaps we'll see similar results soon. I'd love to say postgame Saturday we were more physical than SF, and while Kerry Collins and Tom Brady shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence (Tim suggesting our future opponent), I wouldn't be shocked to see the Rams upset the Bucs, nor the Bills upsetting the Chiefs. TEN is a mystery given their passing game is predicated on play-action and Julio & AJB haven't been on the field together much given the injuries between them, but now with Henry back, things are coming together for them too. KC has been penchant for allowing big leads out of the gate in playoff games, only to storm back. I feel confident BUF can take them out.

SuperBowl: GB vs TEN/BUF

I'm not expecting Z, Bak, and Mercilus back. However, getting the other players back improves us a great deal. Niners will get their yards from their four stars, but we have a Rodgers that is almost healed from his toe injury. Pack 27-20

Tim, that’s exactly how I see it.
Some of my packer pals (not all) are nervous—handwringing over every detail.
I have said previously, I don’t see how we lose. We clearly have a better team.
Vic Ketchem said Packer fans are winsome—always in fear of losing.
Not me! Sometimes we lose when we should win, but not this time.

If some Packer fans fear playing the 49ers and think that is was bad luck that we have to play them so early in the playoffs, I'm not one of them.

If any team is unlucky, it's the 49ers having to play the Packers.

If the 49ers are in fact the best of the teams the Packers will face, I say bring it on and we are ready to rock and roll. I believe the Packers have the strongest roster in the NFL and are playing their best football. The returning players who are now coming off injured reserve and will be available will just make us better. They are going to have fresh legs and are hungry for some action.

I am excited to see the Packers take the field Saturday and play some top notch ball.

I agree the ingredients are all there for a big win. They still need to play the game though.
What is in the players heads will determine the outcome. Can’t afford any dumb decisions, like a Quarterback run with 14 secs left and no time out. Play smart, stay focused and the Pack should win.

I agree the ingredients are all there for a big win. They still need to play the game though.
What is in the players heads will determine the outcome. Can’t afford any dumb decisions, like a Quarterback run with 14 secs left and no time out. Play smart, stay focused and the Pack should win.

Won’t know until Saturday night. I predict 49ers start Lance at the last second and use run game as decoy and really try getting ball to Kittle. Packers D will struggle with this matchup like they did against Baltimore. On offense- I see Packers being about same - starting slow - doing well in Q2/Q3- then holding on late. The ST of GB are the unit most likely to spoil the day. The key will be how GB defense holds up. I am ok with offense and already expecting ST to be awful - but to me the defense is the biggest question mark. Not because they can’t get it done- I just don’t know if they will. Won’t know until Saturday…

I am nervous about this game. Of all the teams we could have faced This one scares me the most. But then I am always nervous about games. That’s on me.