San Francisco 49ers: 3 Keys to clinching the NFC, beating Packers

The San Francisco 49ers welcome the Packers for the NFC Championship on Sunday but what do the Niners need to do to make it to Super Bowl 54?

The San Francisco 49ers are looking to take home the NFC title this weekend and make their first trip to the Super Bowl in nine years. First, however, they have to host the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.

These two met at Levi’s Stadium back in Week 12 of the 2019 regular season, which was not much of game. The 49ers ran over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, picking up five sacks, recovering a fumble and winning 37-8. Considered to be one of Rodgers’ worst games of his career, 49ers fans are optimistic their team can blow out the Packers once again as they come into the weekend favored by 7.5 points, courtesy of The Action Network.

Week 12 was the Packers’ worst game of the season on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. It appears it may have been a bit of a wake-up call as they are undefeated since then, showing much better numbers, especially on defense.

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The 49ers need to expect more of a challenge from Green Bay with the NFC championship hanging in the balance. With six straight wins and some great games from Rodgers and Aaron Jones, these are the three keys to a victory for San Francisco on Sunday.

Slow down the Packers on third down

Green Bay went 9-of-14 on third-down conversions in the Divisional Round game against Seattle. Rodgers and the Packers were able to keep their drives going and control the clock with those clutch plays, including the big pass to Jimmy Graham to wrap things up late in the fourth quarter.

San Francisco will needs to focus on preventing those timely conversions with good coverage and a lot of pressure. I expect guys such as Arik Armstead, who sacked Rodgers twice in Week 12, to shut the door give the Packers little time to find the first-down marker.

Hold off the Smith Brothers

Though the 49ers are more known for their strong defense and quick rush on the quarterback, the Packers acquired a pair of guys in the offseason who have made a real impact for them this season. Known as the Smith Brothers, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith totaled 25.5 sacks over the regular season and have been especially good at breaking through the offensive line late in the year.

The 49ers may want to double-team them on passing plays. They will need a strong performance from linemen such as Joe Staley and Ben Garland in order to keep their offense on the field and keep the Smiths from making game-changing plays in the backfield.

Rodgers’ Revenge

Back in 2005, northern-California born Aaron Rodgers was waiting to get drafted as the 49ers passed on him and took a different quarterback. Then, with pick No. 24, the Packers selected him and now he looks to bring his second Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown.

The 49ers defense will want to prove that Rodgers’ playoff experience isn’t a big factor as they look to hold him to 104 passing yards like they did in Week 12. With a good game from the likes of Nick Bosa and Richard Sherman, the 49ers defense should have done enough to outscore Rodgers and the Packers.

By accomplishing each of these goals, I believe the 49ers will be able to win their eighth home game of the year and even cover the spread, sending them on their way to Miami for the Big Game on Feb. 2.