Hey Bruce, that scenario you summarize is like the script for the first 30 minutes of a Marvel movie, the overwhelming odds. I agree. It seems like one of the most stacked teams that I can recall. As long as GB plays smart, great game plan, and everyone plays their heart out, then the season can conclude as a high success. Whether GB exceeded expectations and are playing with house money on the win-loss record, it's all about the next game. Just play that one well. So the drama is about to unfold! Greenbay wins. What the heck.

I really can't see anything in your article that I disagree with.

I certainly agree that we have a chance in this game but their appears to be a lot of advantages for SF.

Should be a fun game to watch and just want them to play well--win or lose.

Where is your faith? Packers 31, SF 23. We keep shocking the world! GO PACK, GO!!!

We all marvel at the flywheel effect of the improving Pass Offense Matt, his staff, Love & young playmakers are displaying on the field.

However, the last few weeks, the Run Offense has shown up as a secret, hidden weapon no one saw coming.

The catalyst for this sudden explosion of production has been Show Time Jones. While solid run game stems from great blocking...I also believe a great RB makes the OL better...not just "look better"...but "play better". I am confident the entire IOL playbook is open now that Jonesy is back healthy. The wide zone run blocking attack now includes run plays in the game script that simply would not be called for AJ Dillon or Taylor.

I don't ascribe that the Pack cannot run on the Niners. I think they can...and if they do, look out! And I expect Jones will figure more heavily in the pass game too. He needs the ball in a variety of plays.

Regarding Purdy, "keeping him contained will allow Quay Walker and De'Vondre Campbell to bring inside pressure."

That would be nice for a change. Unfortunately, Barry rarely does that. The ILBs are routinely playing way off the ball in zone have no opportunity to bring inside pressure. Their job is to get a tackle after a 5+ yard gain.

Also using Walker as a pass rusher has worked well the very few times it has been called. On pass plays, his size and speed is too often wasted covering WRs through his middle "prevent (the win) zone. Walker is exhibit one showing Barry is unwilling or unable to utilize his players' individual talents to build a synergistic defense.

I hope the Packers DC is unrecognizable tonight. I hope we see pressure D the entire game. Might give up some chunk plays but also rattle Purdy, create 3 & outs and best of all, turnovers.

Let 'em play!

The Packers will need to play a nearly perfect game to defeat the 49ers. However if the forecast is true and the game is played in the rain the weather could be an equalizer. Wet conditions could slow down the 49ers pass rushers. If the Packers OL can win their side of the LOS the Packers chances will increase. At this point we don't how well the Packers receiving corps will play in the rain. Jones and Dillon have experience in bad weather and that could be another factor that works in the Packers favor on offense.

I have no idea how well the SF offense performs in the rain. I'm assuming that McCaffrey and Kittle have their share of experience playing in wet conditions. As for Purdy and the other SF receivers I have no clue.

The Packers defense plays better with a lead so if the offense can establish an early lead that will help. Playing against the 49ers offense is a big step up in class for the Packers defense.

Other factors to consider are STs. Footballs tend to do funny things when they get slippery. And who knows how the wet weather will affect the kickers and punters for both teams. Has Carlson kicked in the rain this season? That could become a key factor in this game.

Wet weather tends to hold down crowd noise which could be an unexpected benefit for the Packers. We'll see. Regardless of the result it has been a great ride with this season's Packers. Play for the full 60 minutes. Take no prisoners and Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

There are so many scenarios, Last week I wore my #92 Reggie road jersey
( got it at Reggie’s pro shop )
This week I think I have to break out the #5 Hornung road jersey.
Vince Lombardi T shirt for the NFC Championship and my 75th anniversary #66 home jersey for the Super Bowl.
I have done my part. Lol

Nice analogy, Bruce, and almost painful to read.
Yes, the 49ers are playing with a stacked deck, and they deserve credit for their drafting and FA acquisitions, they've done a good job. Now throw it all out the window!
Purdy's hands are literally the same size as some guy named Mahomes, and nobody would even suggest that to be an issue, throw it out!
The 9ers have a bunch of All-pros, the Packers have none, throw it out!
Today is about today, what's happened in past years means nothing, and what's happened in recent weeks means little-to-nothing. Throw that out too!
Today we'll see if our offense is as good as we've thought and they've looked the past few weeks.
Today we'll see if our defense can play against a really good offense with a lot of weapons and stay in the game.
Today we'll see if LaFleur can 'Coach-em-up' for what could arguably be the biggest game of his Packer career thus far. No Aaron Rodgers, no predetermined bullshit, no 'where's Davante'? This is MLF's team and MLF's game now! Can he and his staff repeat last week's game planning?
At times I think the Pack has no chance, and then I think "Hell yes, they have a chance, they just have to play their absolute best.
All 53 on the roster must 'Bring It', and bring it all! And let the chips fall where they may.
GPG!

Good article Bruce. I think the 49ers will focus on stopping Aaron Jones, clogging up the middle of the field, bringing 4-man pressure and forcing Love to beat them on the boundaries. MLF's game plan will determine whether this game is close, or turns into a blowout. He has to have an answer to Shanahan's game plan. I can see them having success getting the ball to Jones on screen passes.

"Jerry Rice fumbled.'

NFL Network had a replay of that game on this morning. It's still a fumble all these years later !! Madden commented that plays like that are why we need instant replay., and that he believed it would be voted in the next year.

BTW. I almost forgot how amazing that Packers team was !!!

The 49ers have a bunch of pro bowlers. The Packers don’t. That’s just because no one knows who they are. Tonight is their chance to show everyone who they are. Give them nothing, but take everything. Sparta kick the 9ers into the pit where all the other teams who underestimated the Packers wound up. Go Pack Go!!

There are those team that even from watching the game on a TV, you hear how hard the defense hits. San Francisco along with Tampa Bay are two of them. I swear sometimes I can feel the hits Green Bay Offensive players get subjected to. We will need Jones to hold onto the ball. They will try and hurt that man as they do every year. I think that is why I may agree with the author on using Dillon some as well, 226 pound Emanuel Wilson. Our biggest asset is all our receiver weapons. If Watson was to have a 1,2,3 game and Reed, Wicks, Doubs, Tuck Norris (aka Tuker Kraft) Melton, Musgrave contribute points and production on 3rd downs... we can possibly protect Jones and assist him in having an 80 yard game with a TD.

If it rains, Purdy got small hands and will lose that ball. We need to capitalize on those hypotheticals.

Go pack go

Well, we're all set for the game already. Early morning shower, big breakfast, and even the dog has his Packers shirt on with his 00 number on it. Too bad I can't post a picture here, but he is a fan as well and sits right besides me during games and watches the TV as well. He just doesn't quite understand the excitement part of it when we explode on an exciting play.

I realize we are underdogs, but it's not the first time we have overcome odds. I just hope the team and individual players give everything they've got for a full 60 minutes. This has been a Cinderella season where we have exceed all expectations so why not shoot for the moon.

Just don't get blown out, a loss in a close game, I'm good with. We gave it our best and we got something but if we get SMOKED.... it raises a lot of questions.
A win and we all dance nakid and hi-5.
Give em hell guys.... GPG

I haven't bet a game in 2 years, but I have called a few Winners here and there. I won't try to call this one, but I'll tell you how I would look at it. All the Betting seems to favor San Francisco. The 49's are 9 1/2 point Favorites. The Money Line is San Francisco --437, GB +336. For those of you who don't know, that means to win $100 on SF you need to bet $437. If you bet $100 on GB, you would win $336. No points involved. I'm sure you would say, Who in their right mind would bet $437 to win $100. That's how you & I think. The Big Money would lay $4370 to win $1000. No Points involved. I don't see very many $1000 bets to win $3360 going on GB. I'm not confident enough to call this game. Two years ago I would have jumped all over SF with these lines, because of AR. To my thinking the money would have gone to GB. If you want to know who is going to Win this game, it's Las Vegas. You guy's are forgetting the Biggest factor in this game. This game is GB's Super Bowl. For what it's worth, they will be more up for this game than either of the next two. There are a number of things going against GB in this game. It's their 2ond game on the road. Not Good!! Experience, Not Good!! If you're going to Bet, you have to go against the $$$$$. If I had to guess, I'd say the money is going on SF. That's just my opinion. One thing for certain, Vegas will take the lion share of the betting. I don't know how they do it, but they already have these lines set to get the money going to the side they want. I've posted a couple of times on here, Wayne Root, one of the Best Handicappers in the country said, If you are ever watching a New York Marathon, & you see hundreds of runners all going in one direction, & you see one lonely runner going the opposite way, That Will Be Me. It's not 100%, but it's worked pretty well for me since the 80's. Taryn, if you read this, chime in here. I respect your opinion. Hope I'm seeing this game Right. GO PACK
LVT