Preview
The #2 seed Green Bay Packers go into Levi Stadium Sunday to take on the #1 seed San Fransisco 49ers as heavy underdogs. The 49ers all season long have been a complete team in all three phases. They even beat up on the Packers week 12 of the regular season. However, a lot has changed since week 12, and this is why Green Bay will win on Sunday:
#1. Aaron Rodgers
This past week we saw vintage Aaron Rodgers once again. Playoffs bring out a different animal in players, and Rodgers showed once again that when he needs to, he can make any throw on the field on any given play. Aaron Rodgers had by far his worst game of the season against the 49ers in week 12 of the regular season throwing for just 104 yards on 33 attempts. Since that game he has averaged nearly 240 yards per game, throwing 10 TDs and only 2 INTs. Playoff Aaron Rodgers gives you a chance to win ANY game.
#2. Blitz techniques with Za’Darius Smith
Typically OLBs will blitz from the edge. With Za’Darius lining up next to Kenny Clark in the A gap, next to Preston Smith on the same edge, or even back with Blake Martinez, it has completely changed the look of the Packers defense. Three of their last six games, they have held their opponent to under 100 total yards rushing. Four of those six games opponents were held to 15 points or less. Lastly, during these six games the Packers have accumulated 18 total sacks. This one move has completely changed the look of Green Bay’s front seven and looks to be a key factor in getting after Jimmy G this coming Sunday.
#3. Game Plan.
Having the luxury to watch tape, see what went wrong, and adjust, bodes well for the team that loses a game. Head coach Matt Lafleur himself has admitted that he got away from the game plan too early. Green Bay will go into this game with a different mentality, different game plan, and with everything on the line. You will not see the same team this week that you saw week 12.
Score Prediction:
Green Bay will have their hands full with the 49ers, but have more than enough to pull out this win. 31-28 Packers win and move onto Super Bowl 54 in Miami.
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