Maggie's Pre-Game Six Pack - 2021 Week 3

Red zone percentages, the 49ers' home opener, and more in this week's Six Pack. 

The Packers travel to Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. Here are six things to consider heading into the Week 3 matchup: 

1.Gold (Zone) Rush?

Davante Adams has a pretty impressive history going up against the 49ers. Per the dope sheet, Adams has played in four total games against San Francisco, and in those matchups, he’s averaging nine receptions for 121.5 yards and a touchdown per game. Heading into Week 3, he leads the team in receiving yards by a significant margin with 177 yards. Next in line is Aaron Jones with 61, then Robert Tonyan with 60, and new (old) acquisition Randall Cobb with 58. Interestingly, though, Tonyan and Jones have both found the end zone (multiple times in Jones’ case), while no receiver has scored yet this season for Green Bay. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, and Malik Taylor, the team’s four other receivers, have combined for only 66 yards through two weeks. Expect the receiving core to get more involved against the 49ers on Sunday.  

2. Keep the Road Whites Clean

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked three times in Week 2 versus Detroit and was hit seven times. Keeping Rodgers’ jersey clean is going to get even trickier against a vaunted 49ers defensive front. San Francisco already has five sacks on the season, with edge rusher Nick Bosa accounting for three of them. The defense also has 12 quarterback hits, averaging six per game. The 49ers were without Bosa when these two teams faced off last season, but back at full strength and picking up right where he left off terrorizing offensive lines. Left tackle substitute Elgton Jenkins is currently nursing an ankle injury, and his status for Sunday night is in doubt. If he can’t play, the Packers will have to get creative along the offensive line, likely sliding right tackle Billy Turner into the left tackle spot and Dennis Kelly in his place on the right side. The young interior of the offensive line has held up pretty well the first two weeks, however. Center Josh Myers is Pro Football Focus’ top-graded rookie, and left guard Jon Runyan Jr. has a pass blocking grade of 87.2, ranking third amongst guards. 

3. Seeing Red

This game could very well be decided in the red zone. San Francisco is four-for-four on red zone attempts, giving them a 100% success rate. The Packers defense is six-for-six in the red zone, allowing a 100% success rate. If the Packers can keep San Francisco out of the red zone entirely, or even generate a stop, their chances of winning improve significantly. The 49ers have played two one-score games, beating the Lions in Week 1 by eight points and the Eagles in Week 2 by six points. The Packers can win this game by keeping things close. 

4. Hostility in Santa Clara 

The Packers already don’t have a great history traveling to Levi’s Stadium under Head Coach Matt LaFleur (1-2), but they’re entering an especially hostile environment on Sunday night. The 49ers are celebrating their 75th Anniversary season, and the celebration will be in full swing for the team’s home opener this weekend. San Francisco will be wearing 1994 red throwback jerseys and playing in front of the 49ers Faithful for the first time since January 2020. Both Rodgers and LaFleur mentioned the Packers needing to start quicker on offense, so the real test will come under the lights on Sunday Night Football. 

 5. Not Last Year’s 49ers 

While the Packers beat the 49ers most recently in Week 9 of the 2020 season, the squad looked entirely different than it will on Sunday. That San Francisco team was without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, dominant edge rusher Nick Bosa, field-stretching tight end George Kittle, tackle Trent Williams, and receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. All six players are now back and healthy. Samuel already has 282 yards on the season, averaging 18.8 yards per reception. If the Packers want to leave Santa Clara with a W, they’ll need to account for an offense more similar to what they saw in 2019 than last season. 

6. Banged Up Backfield 

Familiar foe Raheem Mostert was lost for the season as early as it began with a knee injury suffered Week 1. In his absence, the 49ers turned to Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, and Trey Sermon. Hasty has already been ruled out for Week 3, with Mitchell not participating due to a shoulder injury and Sermon a limited participant going through the concussion protocol. San Francisco will still have dynamic fullback Kyle Juszczyk available though, and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan knows how to get creative on offense. The Packers defense gave up 108 yards on the ground Monday night in 19 attempts, good for a 5.7 yard average. It’ll be up inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and safety Adrian Amos, who lead the defense in tackles with 19 and 18 total tackles, respectively, to help shore up the run defense on Sunday night.

 

 

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Maggie Loney is a writer for Cheesehead TV and podcaster for the Pack-A-Day Podcast and Pack's What She Said. Find her on Twitter at @MaggieJLoney.

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5 points
 

Comments (41)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
NickPerry's picture

September 24, 2021 at 07:12 am

This game has me concerned for 2 reasons.... The offensive line and the defense...

IF Jenkins can't go I'm not sure how in the hell the Packers are going to manage. Turner just isn't a LT and as happy as I was to see the Packers sign Kelly in the 1st place, it's concerning as hell he's on the PS and didn't show mich in the preseason. I also think Royce Newman is going to have his hands full with Armstead and the rest of the interior depth the 49ers have on the D-Line.

BUT...IF the Packers O-Line can give Rodgers enough time AND Rodgers plays within the system, (No Hero Ball) they actually stick to the run, and Rodgers takes the sure 6 or 7 yard gain opposed to a 5 yard overthrow to MVS, the 49ers secondary can be had. Hell, the Lions had 31 first downs and 430 yards....There is HOPE!

The Packers obviously miss Big Z. The Packers not having his is the equivalent to the 49ers not having Bosa in terms of importance to the defense. Barry needs to START with what was working in the 2nd half against the Lions, BURN what he was doing the first 6 quarters of the season and never use it again, and only then make adjustments. It starts with starting Stokes and keeping King AWAY from ANY outside coverage responsibilities.

The first time I see King lined up outside I'm just shutting it off and starting a "Fire Barry" website. I mean HOW MANY times do we need to watch King play 12 yards off, watch the WR blow by him, and then watch King struggle to flip his hips? The MOMENT Kings flips his hips he's BEAT, he CAN'T do it and has NO business playing outside. I much rather watch Stokes struggle some BUT grow, than watch King do something we all know he can't do!

And can we PLEASE try Slaton and leave Lancaster on the bench? Please??

3 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

September 24, 2021 at 07:33 am

Honestly one of my favorite things that I saw from Stokes was when it was 4th and 1, and he was like up 1 yard away from the WR, and he was able to defend the pass to stop them on 4th down.
I HOPE Stokes is the starting CB opposite of Jaire. I'm ok with King lining up inside. Maybe they could do it situationally. I kind of wonder if he would be ok against TE's more. Just based on his height and length.

I agree about more Slaton and less Lancaster. I also want to say how about some Heflin over Lancaster. There was a play that Ben Fennel on twitter showed Lancaster just getting his ass kicked. It was embarrassing. A NT should never be that bad.
Time to bring up Heflin!

3 points
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Packerfansupreme's picture

September 24, 2021 at 10:55 am

Yes to all this

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croatpackfan's picture

September 25, 2021 at 01:47 am

For all who questions who is out for the game here is official report:
49ers
OUT: DT Kevin Givens (ankle), RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle)

DOUBTFUL: RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE: DE Arik Armstead (adductor), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee)

Packers
OUT: G Elgton Jenkins (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: TE Dominique Dafney (hip)

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 24, 2021 at 07:21 am

1.Gold (Zone) Rush?
The funny thing about this is MVS probably has 3 TD's and 120+ yards against the Lions if Rodgers was terribly off on his throws. I expect the other WR's to really start picking it up. Cobb is starting to get involved. Rodgers tried to hit MVS a quite a few times. He did hit him on a 3rd down play early in the game. I think the WR production increases.

2. Keep the Road Whites Clean
I think the OL has played well overall. They have had a few lapses, but as a whole they have played well. Another part of this though is Rodgers has to stay on time with his throws. The OL can't block forever. Getting the ball out quick will definitely help keep him clean.

3. Seeing Red
Packers defense is still in the works with Barry. But I like the way they were playing in the 2nd half of last weeks game. Hopefully they play more like that this sunday.

4. Hostility in Santa Clara
Whatever reason under LaFleur the Packers have struggled playing in California and Florida. Sunday night could go a long ways to fixing that.

5. Not Last Year’s 49ers
For better or for worse, this is not Last years Packers either. Still trying to find ourselves. We have 3 new starters on the inside of the OL. Jenkins a new starting LT. We have Cobb back. Dillon is the #2 RB. We have a new defensive scheme and coordinator. New CB in Stokes, LB in Campbell.

6. Banged Up Backfield
Packers have to find a way to stop the run. 49ers offense is similar to the Packers in that the run game is a huge part of it. misdirection also. Stop the run, make them one dimensional and we have a chance.

0 points
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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:25 am

"Packers defense is still in the works with Barry."

In a naive kind of way, I'm hoping that the lousy defensive play we've seen so far is the Packers thinking they could get through these first two contests with vanilla game plans, and then start showing unscouted looks to upper-echelon teams like SF. Do I believe that?...hmmm.

"Packers have to find a way to stop the run."

The Niners are very quick to the edge with their backs. If I had to guess, I think they'll attack the Packers there to see if their OLBs can force the play back inside. They were pretty successful against Detroit with that tactic (as were the Packers) but not so much against a more stout Philly front 7.

2 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

September 24, 2021 at 12:01 pm

I do think there is some figuring out what he can do and what he can't do with the players. His first time with these guys in games was week 1. There is some feeling out with it. But I saw some changes in the defense especially the 2nd half. They put Stokes in, they had King playing outside and in the slot. They were blitzing more. I'm honesty really looking forward to seeing this weeks game to see what it looks like.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 24, 2021 at 10:40 am

The Packers defense liked the way Goff played in the second half. Not so sure GB's defense had a lot to do with it.

6 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

September 24, 2021 at 12:13 pm

I agree/disagree with you on that. Now there were circumstances that impacted that. Packers got the lead and then they forced him to have to throw and play from behind.

But the defense was a part of that. They changed up how they attacked the offense. The DL was firing off the ball a lot better. They were blitzing more. They put Stokes outside in place of King. Had King playing the slot more. Stokes broke up 4 passes in the game. Off the top of my head I remember 1 TD and 1 4th down play. The defense stepped up its play in the 2nd half.

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stockholder's picture

September 24, 2021 at 07:35 am

The Rookies want to play. Let them! If you want them to fail. Sit them. Thats whats changed. Baptism by fire. There energy is off the charts. Slayton is ready. Stokes is ready. They have the tools. Let them show it. Forget the depth chart.

1 points
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10ve 💚's picture

September 24, 2021 at 08:50 am

Saying a lot without saying anything. I'm still scratching my head trying to understand what you mean.

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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:07 am

Since he's spent the last several years spewing "loyalty to veterans" and "don't play rooks", all I can assume is that this is an attempt at a sarcastic comment.

I'm going to go read some Calvin and Hobbes. It's a better use of my brainpower.

-2 points
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stockholder's picture

September 24, 2021 at 10:48 am

Rodgers positively! What you don't understand is that the players on the OL are all being moved around. That Patrick and Ryan have Merit. And I supported King but not Sullivan. Not to mention dumping Lowrey. As long as players are being moved around!!!. The Rookies should play now.!!! Slaton can Tackle. And as much as I still believe in King. The switch may do him good. So if you want to make better use of your time , I support your decision.

2 points
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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 12:11 pm

Thank you for telling me what I do and don't understand.

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jurp's picture

September 25, 2021 at 05:18 pm

I only read Stockholder's comments for the comedy. His analysis of anything is comically poor, and his Noun-Verb-Noun sentences/sentence fragments are an indicator of something that I won't write about lest I be banned.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 25, 2021 at 12:30 am

And forget the Fans.

1 points
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Packers0808's picture

September 24, 2021 at 08:25 am

Still think Packers should go back and get OL help in Wagner!

-1 points
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stockholder's picture

September 24, 2021 at 11:03 am

They'd go after Bulaga first.

2 points
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egbertsouse's picture

September 24, 2021 at 08:33 am

The Packers top three defenders of the second half last week were:
1. The rain.
2. Jared Goff’s small hands.
3. The Packer offense. It scored some points and took the Lions out of their game plan of running.

Pray for rain and Offense, people.

7 points
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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:12 am

More 3 than anything else. When the offense is putting up points, it puts tremendous pressure on opposing teams to try to keep up.

-1 points
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mjbrogno's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:25 am

The Pack needs to some how control the ball and the clock, that is our only chance.

1 points
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Since'61's picture

September 24, 2021 at 08:50 am

If Jenkins can’t go that will be a serious blow to our OL and our chances to move the ball effectively. Even the ground game will have difficulty against the SF front 7. Rodgers needs to identify the mismatches and hit them on time.

On defense we need to stop the run first and make Garapolo one dimensional. We need to play with a lead.
MLF should receive the opening KO if we win the toss. Hopefully we drive for an early score and take the crowd out of the game. To me this is better than deferring and falling behind at the start. The Packers defense has allowed scores on both opening possessions for our opponents so far.

This game is a big challenge on both sides of the ball for the Packers. If we can win in the trenches we have a solid chance but if our OL doesn’t hold up and if the DL gets pushed all over the field it’s going to be a long evening. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61

2 points
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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:18 am

I think the temptation to take the ball right away is great, but if your offense fails, you're giving SF the momentum and the ball to start the second half. In all, I'd rather have the ball to start the second half.

-2 points
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Since'61's picture

September 24, 2021 at 06:33 pm

Dobber you have a valid point but I would rather try to play with a lead and hopefully take the crowd out of the game as early as possible. This is the SF homeowner so they're going to get a boost from their crowd. If we KO to them and they score on their opening drive the crowd is going to be crazy loud to support their defense against our first drive.

Normally I'm OK with deferring but I want a shot at taking the lead in this game. The second half kickoff doesn't help us if we're down by 2 or more scores at halftime and one of their scores may occur on their opening drive following the KO.

Either way we need to win the trenches if we're going to take this game. GPG! Thanks, Since '61

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 26, 2021 at 04:07 pm

50% 0f the old 49r season ticket holders are no longer in the stands. I agree, attack aggressively and go for the 7 points. No time for reagan ball. Move the rock fast and furiously.

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Lphill's picture

September 24, 2021 at 08:58 am

Jenkins played all 65 snaps for the packers against the Lions if he hurt his ankle late in the game why was he still playing ?

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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:12 am

This is why I'm not concerned about his status for Sunday night.

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PatrickGB's picture

September 26, 2021 at 09:15 am

A hobbled Jenkins kept playing reasonably well during the game. But it probably made the injury worse.

0 points
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dobber's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:16 am

Gotta stop the run, first. In their two losses to the Niners over the last couple years, the Niners have owned the LOS on both sides of the ball. Expect the Packers to have Jaire following Deebo around on Sunday night. The question then becomes: can they stop Kittle, who has played well against the Packers in the last couple matchups (when available), from beating them? All of this is a tall order for the defense, but if they can put the game in Garoppolo's hands, their chances go up significantly.

1 points
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Since'61's picture

September 24, 2021 at 06:34 pm

Agree Dobber we need to win the trenches. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
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Jackwagon's picture

September 24, 2021 at 09:20 am

SF - 1st Q 14-0 2nd Q 28-3 3rd Q 42-6

-2 points
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Packerfansupreme's picture

September 24, 2021 at 10:57 am

I really hope I'm wrong but this just feels like we are playing the wrong team at the wrong time. This game will be decided in the trenches and by coaching. I think we are outmatched on both fronts

5 points
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jurp's picture

September 25, 2021 at 05:21 pm

I think it'll be over by halftime, unfortunately. Once we get behind by two scores AR plays hero ball and the game plan goes out the window :(

0 points
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Jackwagon's picture

September 24, 2021 at 11:14 am

I totally agree. SF is favored by 3 or 3.5 points. How? I see a total beatdown by SF, unfortunately. Sorry...

4 points
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Packerfansupreme's picture

September 24, 2021 at 12:50 pm

I hope we are both wrong lol

0 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

September 24, 2021 at 11:51 am

Anyone know the status of Josiah Deguara? I can't seem to find anything. Is he injured AGAIN?!!!

-1 points
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CheesyTex's picture

September 24, 2021 at 10:18 pm

Concussion protocol.

0 points
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White92's picture

September 25, 2021 at 02:18 pm

The overdrafted swiss army knife that can't stay on the field? Gutey's a genius 😜

-2 points
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jurp's picture

September 25, 2021 at 05:23 pm

Yeah, it's Gute's fault that Deguara got injured last year and is in concussion protocol this year. Guess he shouldn't have head-butted him so hard last Monday. SMH

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Hematite's picture

September 24, 2021 at 01:28 pm

I hope I'm wrong but I just don't think that the Packers can pull this one out on the west coast.
I had picked this one as a loss preseason.

1 points
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sohankhan's picture

September 26, 2021 at 10:51 am

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