The Green Bay Packers will try to solidify their position in the NFC playoff race and get a little postseason revenge when the San Francisco 49ers come to Lambeau Field for Sunday’s Week 12 showdown.
The Packers are 7-3 and can gain another advantage over a playoff contender after Sunday’s victory. The 49ers are 5-5 and are at high risk of missing the playoffs if they can’t win in Green Bay.
Can the Packers get one step closer to the postseason while seriously hurting their playoff opponent?
Here’s a closer look at the 49ers in Week 12:
Last week (lost, 20-17 to Seahawks)
The 49ers led 17-13 slow in the fourth quarter but missed an 80-yard touchdown drive and were trailing 20-17 when Geno Smith broke in and scored with 12 seconds left. Kyle Shanahan’s team came within one first down of securing the victory but failed to do so, with Smith making great additions to DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the final drive before scoring a great score. Brock Purdy attempted a touchdown in the first half and Jauan Jennings scored the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Jennings caught 10 passes, Christian McCaffrey passed for over 100 total yards and Purdy rushed for 40 yards. The 49ers had four sacks and a score on defense and the offense converted 7 of 11 third downs, but Shanahan’s team also committed nine penalties. Like Packers-Bears, 49ers-Seahawks was a game that lacked possession.
Playing quarterback
Brock Purdy’s efficiency as the leader of the 49ers offense hasn’t reached his 2023 levels, but he still completes 66.0 percent of his passes and averages 8.5 yards per attempt (third-best), while adding a animated stealth ability (267 rushing yards , four touchdowns). . Purdy ranks ninth among quarterbacks in PFF’s overall grade. His percentage of shots at key moments dropped, but his percentage of turnover-worthy plays also dropped. He also holds the ball much longer this season, likely due to injuries to the 49ers’ star forwards. The Packers need to be aware of Purdy’s ability to mix teams – he ranks second among all quarterbacks with 37 starts this season. Purdy doesn’t have elite size, but he is a quick and artistic runner.
Line of scrimmage
The 49ers rank 13th in pass blocking class and first in run blocking class in PFF. Brock Purdy was sacked 20 times but held the ball longer this season. The running game is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt, which is a top grade of 5. The Packers’ defensive front will be challenged by an offensive line that includes All-Pro veteran Trent Williams and solid rookie Dominick Puni. Tight end George Kittle is a game-changing blocker, but he left the field last week with a hamstring injury. Defensively, the 49ers are giving up just 4.3 yards per carry, which is top-10, and they have 26 sacks. Nick Bosa is the star of the offense, but Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins each have 30 or more pressures. PFF ranks the 49ers 27th in run defense and 13th in pass rush defense, so it’s possible their defense will be weaker through 10 games.
Turnover
The 49ers have plus-3 turnovers this season, ranking 11th overall. Of the offense’s 13 turnovers, eight came on Brock Purdy’s interceptions, including one last week on a deflection. The defense has 16 takeaways and ranks ninth. The 49ers are one of nine teams with at least 10 interceptions this season, so Jordan Love needs to be careful when playing the football. Pro-only linebacker Fred Warner has four forced fumbles and two picks in the league. The 49ers are just 1-3 with one or zero losses this season and 2-5 when they have at least one loss. San Francisco has lost to the Chiefs, Cardinals and Vikings multiple times.
Injury situations
The 49ers are missing a lot of vital pieces. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga are on injured reserve. Defensive end Nick Bosa is dealing with several lower-body injuries. Tight end George Kittle missed last week with a hamstring injury. Running back Christian McCaffrey is still working his way back from calf and Achilles injuries. Cornerback Charvarius Ward missed the game due to devastating off-the-field issues, but could return this week. More will be known about the 49ers’ injury on Wednesday.
Players worth knowing
LB Fred Warner: The Packers need to know where No. 54 is on every snap. He is one of the best linebackers in the NFL who can destroy games.
WR Jauan Jennings: A huge, physically mighty receiver who recorded 42 catches and a team-high 588 receiving yards this season. He can block, make problematic catches and win after the catch.
LB De’Vondre Campbell: The former Packers linebacker allowed 40 of 46 targets in his coverage and missed a team-high 11 tackles.
TE George Kittle: He leads all tight ends with seven touchdown catches and is arguably the most effective blocking tight end in the NFL. Will he come back from his hamstring injury?
CB Deommodore Lenoir: He completed two passes and broke up four more, and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 68.4 when targeting him in coverage.
