Packers (14-3) at 49ers (14-3)
Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: 49ers by 7
Packers’ keys to victory: The Packers have to get RB Aaron Jones and the run game going. The 49ers got an early lead in Week 12 and forced Green Bay to get onedimensional. The result was QB Aaron Rodgers spending most of the night under duress. Newly signed do-everything RB Tyler Ervin will add a wrinkle of speed that could help attack the edges of a vulnerable 49ers run defense. On defense, they need to slow the 49ers’ run game. That starts up front with DE Za’Darius Smith and DL Kenny Clark. LB Blake Martinez is key in the middle as well in stopping the run and helping slow TE George Kittle.
49ers’ keys to victory: QB Jimmy Garoppolo had 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the divisional round against the Vikings. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to get away with such limited production from their quarterback. However, if RBs Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert go for nearly 5 yards per carry again, the 49ers will roll. On defense, they need a repeat of their Week 12 performance vs. Green Bay. They had five sacks. DE Dee Ford is a gamechanger in the pass rush and didn’t play in Week 12.
Matchup to watch: Packers LT David Bakhtiari vs. 49ers DE Nick Bosa. Bosa is the driving force behind the 49ers’ terrific pass rush. If Bakhtiari can win most of his snaps against Bosa, it’ll eliminate some of the danger of San Francisco’s defensive front.
Who wins? The 49ers’ multifaceted offensive attack combined with a healthy defense should be enough to get past Green Bay.
49ers, 31-27