Green Bay Packers: 5 Reasons they can beat 49ers in NFC Championship
By Joe Kipp
3. Tyler Ervin is a special teams maestro
The last time the Packers played the 49ers, they were on pace for being one of the worst teams in NFL history at returning punts, having had negative yardage on the season. Since then, Green Bay claimed Tyler Ervin off waivers in Week 14, a running back who doubles as a punt/kick return specialist.
There’s no doubt Ervin has had a positive impact on Green Bay’s return game. The Packers finished the 2019 regular season with 98 punt return yards, good for last place in the entire NFL.
With the Packers, in just four regular-season games, Ervin accounted for 106 punt return yards. That is to say, the Packers had negative yardage before Ervin took over as the main punt returner after joining the team. He represents the catalyst for a return game that was stagnant — or even dead in the water — before his arrival.
Against the 49ers in Week 12, the Packers had negative-two yards on two punt returns, both by Tremon Smith. Smith has since been waived. Ervin will undoubtedly gain at least positive yardage on his returns, provided he has the opportunity to do so.
Additionally, Ervin has been used in the offense as a dynamic threat on end-around calls. He could be an X-factor in the NFC Championship.