San Francisco 49ers: Richard Sherman, players to watch vs. Packers

Fred Warner

Third-round pick Warner has enjoyed a strong rookie year through five weeks but faces the toughest test of his brief pro career in going up against Rodgers.

As the Mike linebacker, Warner is the quarterback of the defense, the former BYU star in charge of communicating the play calls to the rest of the unit. However, his ability to communicate pre-snap and properly organise the defense will be severely challenged by Rodgers, with no quarterback in the NFL better at making changes at the line of scrimmage and taking advantage of defensive confusion.

The 49ers defense produced its best display of the season last week, but that was against a novice in Josh Rosen making his first road start. If they manage to deliver a similar showing against Rodgers and the Packers, Warner will likely have played a huge role.

Richard Sherman

Green Bay’s receiving corps is one that has been struck by the injury bug recently, and both Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison are questionable to play on Monday. However, Rodgers’ top target Davante Adams will be available and draws the matchup of 49ers starting corner Richard Sherman.

Sherman has been in magnificent form in his four games as a Niner, allowing just one catch for 18 yards on eight targets, according to Pro Football Focus on Twitter.

Opposing quarterbacks have shied away from targeting an All-Pro corner who looks back to his best following Achilles surgery, allowing the 49ers to basically lock down his side of the field. If Sherman can keep Adams under wraps, San Francisco’s hopes of keeping it close figure to be vastly improved.