Green Bay Packers: 5 X-factors to beating 49ers in NFC Championship
2. Pass rush must make an impact
Za’Darius Smith has honestly been one of the best defensive players in the NFL through the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. The free-agent addition has been a downright monster with Green Bay so far — and Preston Smith, another offseason addition, hasn’t been bad as well. Throw in Kenny Clark dominating on the interior lately and this Packers pass rush has been impressive.
While the 49ers offensive line has some big bodies, that unit (on the interior, in particular) is susceptible to getting taken over. Furthermore, Jimmy Garoppolo has struggled traditionally when he’s been force to face a ton of pressure.
As Green Bay looks to get any advantage they can on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium, their pass rush has to be one of them. The Smith Brothers, Clark and the rest of that group must get after Jimmy G and make life difficult for him.
1. Aaron Rodgers
The big narrative around the Packers — specifically at the end of the regular season — was that Aaron Rodgers was not playing like a perennial MVP candidate. In truth, that narrative was correct. While some of the numbers may have been there, the overall performance wasn’t. Bad throwaways, questionable decisions, a lack of playmaking, it was all there with Rodgers.
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In the Divisional Round win over the Seahawks, however, that looked to have changed. Rodgers was precise, locked in and making all of the plays that he needed to to keep Green Bay in the best position to win. And, frankly, that’s the biggest X-factor against San Francisco. Rodgers must be the game-changing playmaker he’s fully capable of being and be the superstar he still has the talent to be.
If that happens, San Francisco might not be able to match it.