49ers Scouting Report: What are the Green Bay Packers’ strengths and weaknesses?

Cameron Salerno

The Green Bay Packers (14-3) are coming to Santa Clara this weekend seeking redemption after losing to the San Francisco 49ers 37-8 in Week 12. Prior to the NFC Championship game against the 49ers, here are three strengths and weaknesses of the Packers.

Packers’ strengths

The Big 3

It all starts with the Big Three of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones and wide receiver Davante Adams. Those three combine to make up a majority of the Packers offense. Against the Vikings last week, the 49ers held running back Dalvin Cook to nine carries for 18 yards. They also held star wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs to a combined seven catches for 107 yards. Diggs had a 41-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter before the 49ers subbed in cornerback Emmanuel Moseley for Ahkello Witherspoon. Another 40 of the 107 yards came in garbage time in the fourth quarter. If the 49ers want to beat the Packers, it will start with how the defense can stop those three players.

Smith “Brothers”

Linebackers Preston and Za’Darius Smith are two of the best players at their position. Za’Darius led the Packers this season with 13.5 sacks, while Preston was second on the team with 12. Both players last week against Seattle had two sacks. They are not related but the chemistry they have is something that will need to be addressed by the 49ers. In the Week 12 game against San Francisco, Za’Darius had 1.5 sacks and Preston had a half-sack. It’s important to note the 49ers offensive line was missing left tackle Joe Staley that game and since have played better as a unit.

Extra motivation?

The Packers will have all the motivation in the world come Sunday. They want to avenge the Week 12 loss to San Francisco and get to the Super Bowl for the first time in nine years. Chico native and University of California alum Aaron Rodgers was passed up by the 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft when the team had the No. 1 overall pick. Instead of taking Rodgers, the 49ers drafted Alex Smith from Utah. Rodgers is 0-2 in his career against the 49ers in the playoffs, losing in the Divisional Round in 2013 and the Wild Card round at home in 2014.

Packers’ Weaknesses

Traveling and rest

For the second week in a row, the 49ers won’t have to travel, while their opponent will be on the road. The Packers will travel from Wisconsin to Santa Clara to play in much warmer conditions. The 49ers also have the luxury of an extra day of rest because of playing the divisional game on Saturday afternoon, while Green Bay played Sunday night. Rest is everything during this time of year, so having the extra day and home-field advantage is significant.

Can the offensive line protect Rodgers?

The Packers offensive line will go up against the 49ers pass rush for the second time this season. In the first meeting, the Packers allowed five sacks without starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. The 49ers that game were missing linebacker Kwon Alexander and pass rusher Dee Ford. The 49ers this time expect to be at full strength. If the Packers offensive line can’t protect Rodgers, the game might get out of hand early.

Packers lack true No. 2 wide receiver

Limiting what Davante Adams can do will be critical for the 49ers secondary Sunday. In the Seahawks game, Adams caught eight passes for 160 yards. Tight end Jimmy Graham had three catches for 49 yards, but Rodgers’ second and third wide receivers, Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, only had one catch each. Forcing Rodgers to throw to his other receivers will be crucial. Having linebacker Kwon Alexander back for this game will especially be important because of the cover skills he has. Getting the pass rush to Rodgers early and forcing him to get the ball out fast will also be crucial.