When the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers met in Week 3, the teams saved the best for last.
There were 27 points scored in the fourth quarter alone, including 13 in the final 2:39. It looked as if host San Francisco won the game with Kyle Juszczyk’s touchdown catch with 37 seconds left. That proved to be enough time for Aaron Rodgers to connect with Davante Adams on completions of 25 and 17 to set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 51-yard field goal to give Green Bay the 30-28 victory. Those betting online who predicted that the game would go over the title were loving all the fourth-quarter action.
Will the teams combine for another 58 points? That’s hard to say but the 47-point total is tied for the lowest of the four divisional playoff games and it is hard to pass on that number.
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
Packers No Stranger to Playoff Shootouts
The last four times the Green Bay Packers played host to a playoff game the contest went over the total set by the NFL picks against the spread. The combined total of points in those games were 51, 51, 50, and 58. Green Bay averaged 31 points in those four games.
After seeing the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Lambeau Field and leave with the 31-26 win in the NFC Championship Game, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be motivated to accomplish what the Packers failed to do last year.
Green Bay scored 30 points or more in six of its final seven regular-season games to wrap up the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Could there be some rust after a week off due to the first-round bye? Sure. However, the week off also allowed Rodgers and running back Aaron Jones to get healthier.
San Francisco is hardly an offensive juggernaut scoring 30 points or more once in the last seven games including the playoff win at Dallas last week but how many points will the 49ers need to score for the game to top 47 points?
The total has remained in the 47-47½-point total since the matchup has been set.
49ers-Packers: A January Tradition
While the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers don’t meet as often in the postseason these days, there was a matchup two years ago won by the host 49ers 37-20.
The eight previous playoff matchups between the teams have alternated going over and under the total. The series included four straight January showdowns from 1996-99 and another one in 2002. The last two postseason games between the teams played at Lambeau Field would have finished under the current Las Vegas odds total.
There were some rumblings last offseason that time is running short on Rodgers’ time in Green Bay. For all his individual accomplishments which could include a second consecutive NFL MVP award, Rodgers has led Green Bay to one Super Bowl title. He would love to end what was been a tumultuous season due to the speculation about Rodgers’ future with the Packers and his positive COVID-19 test. He would love to quiet the naysayers with a championship run.
It would mean doing something he has never done – beat the 49ers in the playoffs.
The Packers (+350) have the best odds to win the Super Bowl and are also the top pick to win the NFC championship at +225.
What We Learned from the Regular-Season Matchup
Both teams have changed so much from the late September game played in Santa Clara.
Seven 49ers had rushing attempts and none was dazzling rookie running back Elijah Mitchell. Despite a great start to the season, people weren’t sure what to make out of third-year receiver Deebo Samuel at that point.
Both teams were 2-1 after a game that saw the teams convert 12-of-22 third-down plays and combine for more than 650 yards.
Green Bay would roll to the NFC Central title while San Francisco was the last of the NFC teams to clinch a playoff spot.
Green Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander had an interception in the game while San Francisco running back Trey Sermon scored a touchdown. Will either play on Saturday? That’s a good question. There are also concerns about the availability of Mitchell and 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa.
Chilly Weather for Hotly Contested Showdown
A Saturday night kickoff in Green Bay in January won’t require much in the way of sunscreen. Temperatures should be somewhere in the 10-15 range when the game gets underway. San Francisco did win on the road against Cincinnati, Chicago, and Philadelphia during the season so don’t look for chilly temps to have much of an impact.
The teams combined to throw the ball 61% of the time in the September match. San Francisco would rather not attempt 40 passes as it did in that contest but if Green Bay jumps to nearly lead, that is a realistic possibility.
The surging 49ers’ run defense might be the hidden key to slowing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers https://t.co/hvBwuqhgnJ
— The Athletic Bay Area (@TheAthleticSF) January 20, 2022
For those who bet online and are looking for trends, six of Green Bay’s last seven games went over the total including three of the last four home games.
