Packers vs. 49ers: 5 Things to Watch and a Prediction for Week 4

Five things to watch and a prediction for Green Bay's Week 4 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Green Bay Packers (3-0) will look to finish off a perfect first quarter of the 2015 season when the club travels to San Francisco to take on the 49ers (1-2) at Levi’s Stadium, the home of Super Bowl 50. 

Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Green Bay’s trip out west in Week 4:

 

1. Packers Front

49ers head coach Jim Tomsula said this week that he doesn’t have a “drop-back passing team.” While an amazing admission for a coach with a $100 million quarterback, it’s also true. The 49ers won’t win many games asking Colin Kaepernick to line up with four and five receivers and throw the ball 40 times. San Francisco wants to get into big formations and pound the football. With B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels and Mike Pennel all playing well, and Letroy Guion coming back from suspension, the Packers have the horses up front to match up at the line of scrimmage. How Green Bay plays along the defensive line will be a big factor. The Packers could overwhelm San Francisco at the point of attack. 

 

2. Fortunate Injury?

Most consider Colin Kaepernick Enemy No. 1 for the Packers defense, but don’t forget about tight end Vernon Davis. Drafted one spot after A.J. Hawk back in the 2006 draft, Davis has caught touchdown passes in six of his seven games against the Packers (including playoffs). He likely won’t play on Sunday, as he’s listed as doubtful with a knee injury. The 49ers have precious few weapons on offense, but Davis is still one when healthy. Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek and Blake Bell round out the 49ers depth chart at tight end. 

 

3. Blitzing Kaep

Back in the 2013 playoffs, Dom Capers blitzed Colin Kaepernick on nearly half of his drop backs. The Packers defensive coordinator might do the same on Sunday. Through three games, Kaepernick has a passer rating of 24.0 against the blitz, with three interceptions and zero touchdowns. His athleticism and mobility would seem to make him a risky quarterback to blitz, but Kaepernick often makes bad decisions when heat is applied—especially when he’s asked to scramble to his left. The Packers won’t want Kaepernick going through his reads and then taking off when his options are exhausted. Speed up his decision-making process and the 49ers quarterback will likely give the ball away a few times on Sunday. 

 

4. Inside Job

The key for each defense is at inside linebacker. All-Pro NaVorro Bowman is back for the 49ers, and while he doesn’t look like the explosive, game-changing player he once was, No. 53 is still the one defender who could make life difficult for the Packers offense. Expect Green Bay to attempt exploiting him in coverage, where Bowman looks to have taken a step back post-injury. On defense, the Packers will once again ask a lot of Clay Matthews, both in terms of stopping Carlos Hyde and the run game and keeping Colin Kaepernick from scrambling all over the field. His sideline-to-sideline closing speed will be an asset against both. Both defenses need a big game from its star inside linebacker. 

 

5. Starting Fast

The Packers have jumped out to leads of 13-3 and 31-7 over the last two weeks. It’s been a different story for the 49ers, who have faced half-time deficits of 29-3 and 31-7. Every team wants to start fast, but it seems particularly important for these two clubs on Sunday. The Packers could bury a confidence-shaken team like the 49ers with a strong start, while the 49ers desperately need a few things to go their way early. Get a lead, take away San Francisco’s running game and the Packers should coast to win over a struggling team. 

 

Prediction: Packers 41, 49ers 24 (3-0)

An “average” Aaron Rodgers put five touchdowns and 38 points on a good Chiefs defense. San Francisco has allowed 90 points the last two weeks. Expect fireworks. 

 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].

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Comments (6)

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mikekk's picture

October 03, 2015 at 03:08 pm

I hope MM doesn't pass on the winning the coin toss, as he usually does.. You want to get SF back on their heels and what better way to do that is by scoring first. Stopping SF, then scoring again. Now, you have Kap having to put the game on him and he hasn't done well at that so far.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 04, 2015 at 04:21 am

Contrary, I would like our D to stop Keapernick first, then Packers to score... That will cause mess in their team! Fear from the very first moment...

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Denver's picture

October 03, 2015 at 03:22 pm

Here's to not getting Kaepernicked this time around.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 03, 2015 at 08:07 pm

Perfect opportunity to prove D is for real and well, with the way Rodgers is locked in, to embarrass them in SF. Oh can't wait for this one.

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MarkinMadison's picture

October 04, 2015 at 09:19 am

Remember when Seattle and the 49ers looked unbeatable? Two teams with great defenses, great running backs, and QBs who could gash you. Oh, and then Kaep threw for over 400 against the Packers. Crazy.

The Packers ripped through a Seattle D weakened by FA. The Packers contained Lynch. Yeah, Wilson got a few runs in, but that was about it.

Looking forward to watching the Packers pick apart the 49ers D. The 49ers O has Kaep and what? Carlos Hyde is o.k., but he is not going to win the game for them. Concentrate on Kaep and let Carlos get his. Packers 38-10.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 04, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Only a few more hours to erase those losses.

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