Green Bay Packers: 5 X-factors to beating 49ers in NFC Championship
The Green Bay Packers were blasted by the 49ers in the regular season but what are their X-factors for changing that in the NFC Championship Game?
For the most part, it’s probably good advice for the Green Bay Packers to try and forget what happened when they faced the San Francisco 49ers, their opponent in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, in the regular season. Not only is it a painful memory for the players and fans but it’s an effort that they cannot replicate as they are now one win away from making it to Super Bowl LIV.
In what ended up as a 37-8 loss for the Packers, everything went wrong. The defense had no answers for anything San Francisco did and the offense was even worse. Aaron Rodgers threw for only 104 yards while the leading rusher had only 45 yards. It was a downright abysmal effort in which they got run into the ground.
But Sunday now holds a chance at redemption for Matt LaFleur’s team. If they’re able to go out and execute their game and not allow the Niners to take full control, they could be playing for the Lombardi Trophy in two weeks.
What exactly is it that the Packers need for their best path to success? Let’s dive into five X-factors for Green Bay as the travel to Levi’s Stadium for the NFC Championship Game.
5. Secondary pass-catchers must step up
It’s probably the worst-kept secret in the NFL Playoffs that the Packers passing attack is a bit limited. Yes, both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are capable receiving backs when they’re on the field and Davante Adams still has a claim as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Outside of those players, however, Green Bay has struggled to get players to step up consistently. Tight end Jimmy Graham came up big last week in the Divisional Round win over Seattle and others such as Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison have risen to the occasion in other moments. But in terms of week-to-week, there’s been no one reliable enough to call back to.
Regardless, someone from that group must step up. With Richard Sherman likely blanketing Adams, Rodgers is going to need to move the ball and that puts the onus on the non-stars for this passing offense. If the Packers are going to remain in attack mode, it has to be a diverse attack through the air.