NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND GAME 2: GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

BY ADAM GREENE

It’s the NFL playoffs, so you know what that means. It’s our annual, regularly scheduled meeting between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. This time, it’s in the NFC Divisional Round and in Santa Clara.

This is the 73^rd meeting all time between the two franchises and an NFL record 10^th matchup in the playoffs. While the Pack have an advantage in the overall head-to-head, 38-33-1, the postseason is another matter entirely. The 49ers have regularly ruined any potential Green Bay Super Bowl run, boasting a 6-3 advantage when the lights are brightest. The last time the Pack won in the bracket against the Niners was in the 2001-02 playoffs. Brett Favre was quarterbacking the Packers instead of allegedly stealing millions of dollars from poor Mississippi families with children. San Fran’s QB? The bald lisperer himself, Jeff Garcia. As for Aaron Rogers vs the Niners in the playoffs? Four of those six losses belong to him. He never beat them in a Green Bay uniform in the postseason.

Including in their last meeting on Jan. 22, 2022. The Packers were the NFC’s No. 1 seed, after finishing 13-4 to the 49ers 10-7 (and having to win in Week 18 to even make it into the playoffs). In the win, Jimmy Garoppolo (now with the Las Vegas Raiders, barely), was 11 of 19 passing for 131 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Elijah Mitchell rushed 17 times for 53 yards. George Kittle caught four passes for 623 yards.

In the loss, Rodgers was 20 of 29 passing for 225 yards, no TDs and no picks. Aaron Jones rushed 12 times for 41 yards. He added nine receptions for 129 yards. Devante Adams (now also with the Raiders) caught nine passes for 90 yards.

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-9.5, O/U: 50.5)

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Broadcast: FOX

Kickoff: Jan. 20, 8:15 p.m.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-8)

Last week the Packers shocked the NFL world, dominating the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys to win 48-32 on the road in the Super Wild Card Round. Jordan Love was nearly perfect, going 16 of 21 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He was not sacked once. Aaron Jones rushed 21 times for 118 yards and three scores. Romeo Doubs caught six passes for 151 yards and a TD. Luke Musrgave hauled in three balls for 52 yards and a score. Dontayvion Wicks had two receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. The defense picked off Dak Prescott twice, returning one of them for a touchdown and sacked him four times.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5)

With the top seed locked up, the Niners sat Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey in their season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, who were also starting their backups with the exception of Puka Nacua, who remained in the game just long enough to set the all-time rookie receptions and receiving yardage record. In the loss, Sam Darnold was 16 of 26 passing for 189 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He scrambled seven times for 19 yards and a score and was sacked three times. Elijah Mitchell rushed 14 times for 52 yards and a score. Chris Conely caught three passes for 69 yards. The defense held the Rams to 109 total yards on the ground, picked off Carson Wentz once and sacked him twice.

THE PICK

Jordan Love has the chance to astonish the football community again, not only winning his second playoff game as a double-digit underdog, but to beat San Francisco in the playoffs. Something his predecessor failed to do. I can’t see it happening, but I’ll be rooting for him to do it. If for no other reason than to keep the Niners out of the Super Bowl. 49ers 31, Packers 20

Last week

Straight up: 2-4

Against the spread: 3-3

Season

Straight up: 190-88

Against the spread: 176-102

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan and Threads @Adam.Greene.

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