Battle for NFC Home Field: SNF Packers/49ers

I guess flexing isn't just for rap songs and Fantasy Football. Flexing is for the battle of supremacy as the Packers and 49ers move to SNF for their key match-up that will give the winner the Driver's seat for Home-Field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Key Injuries:

Packers:

Pretty much how every Packers fan feels seeing the latest injury report. I literally cannot remember a time the Packers were this healthy after Week 11. The Bye Week obviously helps but either way we always seem to be missing a key piece at this point. You can't ask for any better timing for health/bye week than this. If there was a time to prove we are the best team and have no excuses it's now.

49ers:

On the flip side, the 49ers are probably happy the ball boy isn't on this list. Talk about missing some key pieces, I'm pretty sure the only healthy players San Fran has going in this one were pulled up from the Practice Squad.

George Kittle, Joe Staley, Matt Breida, Emmanuel Sanders, and Deebo Samuel are huge parts of the game-plan against Green Bay. The Packers have gotten torched over the middle of the field this year, most notably against TE's and Possession WR's. While most figure to go, who knows what they'll have in the tank and flowing through the veins (probably some of the stuff the Astros are on).

On the other side of the ball, Dee Ford is the name that sticks out. A big part of the number 1 Pass defense been forcing opposing QB's to get the ball out quick and the depth on the line. This could be a huge break for the green & gold.

KEY Match-ups:

Win the Track Meet (Run the Damn Ball Better)

That's pretty disgusting run defense. This game might come down to which team's running backs can still breath by the 2nd half.

San Fran is currently the 3rd ranked rush offense in the NFL. There's no secret they want to run the ball and not let Jimmy G turn it over. That being said, Green Bay has had the chance to see the holes in the 49ers game (Seahawks/Cardinals). They need to approach this the same way as Carolina, make stops on early downs and force Jimmy G to win it. Let's see what Pettine did with the 2 weeks.

Green Bay comes in 19th in rush offense which is a bit of a misconception. The Pack like to run to keep teams off-balance and let Rodgers do work. In the game Green Bay has needed to rely on the run they have been able to count on Jones and Williams to get it done. Simply put, this is the number 1 pass d so if we don't run the damn ball effectively we are fooked.

Stop Getting Torched Over the Middle

Through 10 games, the opposition has thrown 92 passes over the short middle of the Packers’ defense – the most against any team in the NFL. And on 11 passes over the deep middle the Packers gave up 23.9 yards on average, which is No. 31 in the league. - Jim Owczarski, Packers News

(See throw up gif above). The header might be the understatement of the century. That is absolutely piss poor and if they allow George Kittle to run wild, the defense might give up a score every time they touch the field.

Needless to say we haven't exactly shut down tight ends. Blake Martinez has been brutal over the middle and without the depth at Safety Amos has not really been able to play up and aggressively. Hopefully with Campbell back and with the Bye Pettine, again, has come up with something to not have every pass play look like the fucking Red Sea. As mentioned, Jimmy G has been pretty brutal when he can't get the ball out quickly, (10 ints, 19 sacks, 4 fumbles). Staley is banged up so the Smith brothers getting home once again will be key. However, the Pass D simply needs to be better, hopefully a little more Zone to slow Jimmy down and make him be perfect. The Packers will need a few extra possessions this game.

San Fran Pass Rush/D

This Defense is for-real. They rank 2nd in Sacks, 4th in INTs, and 1st in YDs allowed in the air.

Not ideal Packers fans. This has all the makings to be very similar to the Chargers game where Rodgers can't find anyone open, or has no time to throw and gets Georges St. Pierre'd all over the field. Once again the Packers have to get the run game going early and often and can't fall behind big or this will get real ugly.

But let's not forget. We have that BAAAAAAADDDD MAN Aaron Rodgers under center. If you look back on the Seahawks/49ers game Seattle couldn't get anything going in the pass game until the 2nd half. San Fran had to respect the run which allowed for big pass plays down the field to Metcalf. The Pack need MVS to step-up and be that big burner down the field. The 49ers are going to shut down the underneath and have Sherman shadowing Davante most of the game. Similar to Green Bay the first 3 weeks, San Fran is built on covering long enough for the big en's to get the QB.

Prediction/Final Score:

It maks no sense to take Green Bay in this one and that's why I love them here. Huge game with playoff implications? Check. Terrible match-ups in several areas? Check. Prime time? Check.

For what ever reason, these are the games Green Bay shows up and shows out for. It makes sense when you think about the team dynamic. This is the most momentum driven team in the NFL and no doubt there will be extra focus in this one. When you look at the big games there seems to be a different level of focus out of the young guys and they seem to make dumb mistakes whenever they get a big lead or play a lesser team.

But the biggest factor. Aaron Rodgers. This is personal for him. The team that told him they would take him #1 only to embarrass him and leave him in the green room for hours. That chip has been on his shoulder ever since. He is the classic grudge holder. This has the feeling of a special special game for #12. I would not want to face this BAD BAAADDD MAN on SNF. And as he said, we have to beat the 49ers at some point, why no make those snowflakes come to the Tundra in the playoffs. Sounds like fun to me.

Green Bay 27

San Fran 24

#GoPackGo #GoPackGo