Packers (5-2) at 49ers (4-4)
Thursday, 8:20 ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
TV: Fox/NFL Network/Amazon Danny Sheridan’s line: Packers by 3
Packers’ keys to victory: A slow start that allows the 49ers to jump out to a lead can’t happen the way it did in last season’s NFC title game. QB Aaron Rodgers has to take care of the football and get it to WR Davante Adams. San Francisco’s secondary is beaten up and won’t have an answer for a player like Adams. On the other side, DE Za’Darius Smith could have a field day against a porous 49ers offensive line. Forcing a couple of bad throws from 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo would make life easy for CB Jaire Alexander and the rest of Green Bay’s secondary. The Packers are the superior team. Mistakefree football should earn them an easy win.
49ers’ keys to victory: According to multiple reports, QB Jimmy Garoppolo and All-Pro tight end George Kittle will miss significant time with injuries. That puts some of the onus on the defense, especially LB Fred Warner on blitzes and CB Emmanuel Moseley and CB Jason Verrett in coverage. If 49ers QBs Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard stay within striking distance with RB JaMycal Hasty running the ball, they’ll have a shot to pull off an upset.
Matchup to watch: Packers WR Adams vs. 49ers CB Moseley. Moseley got cooked by Seahawks WR DK Metcalf, and it’s likely the Packers will make sure Adams is matched up against him.
Who wins? Green Bay is looking to bounce back from a tough loss at home to the Vikings. The Packers are healthier and have the pieces to dominate the banged-up 49ers, especially if San Francisco is without Garoppolo and Kittle.
Packers 38-20