Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (9/26/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (9/26/21)
We’re almost two years removed from the 2020 NFC Championship between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. The result was not exactly what most fans expected, with 37-20 49ers win punctuated by the team’s running game with RB Rasheem Mostert, who gouged the Green Bay defense for 220 yards and four touchdowns. QB Jimmy Garapollo only needed to attempt eight passes the entire game.
So much has changed since then. The 49ers Super Bowl collapse, injury-riddled 2020 season, and drafting of QB Trey Lance in the first round all followed that game. Green Bay also drafted a young QB in Jordan Love, returned to the NFC Championship and left with a loss, and spent the 2021 offseason dealing with drama around QB Aaron Rogers. This game should be a great gauge of where both franchises stand two seasons after their playoff bout. With head coaches Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur facing off once again, let’s take a look at what to expect when the San Francisco 49ers host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Odds
Call it overanalyzing, but the Green Bay Packers do not play well in California. Maybe the sunny weather is too much of a distraction coming from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin? In 2019, the Packers traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers, the Packers mustered only 184 yards of offense and lost 26-11. That very same season, Green Bay made a trip to San Francisco for the NFC Championship, and the results weren’t pretty. The 49ers controlled the game the entire time, amassing 285 yards of offense on the ground as San Fransico advanced to the Super Bowl in a 37-20 win.
While Aaron Rogers had a big comeback in Week 2, he was facing a thin Lions defense that started a rookie defensive back. While the 49ers defense hasn’t been totally dominant this year, their X-factor is DE Nick Bosa. The defensive stud already has three sacks this year, and should put the pressure on Rogers. With the Packers starting slow in the first half of games this season and the 49ers outscoring opponents 38-13 in the first two quarters, I envision San Francisco starting off strong and controlling the clock in a close, important win over the Packers.
My predictions: San Francisco wins 24-20, San Francisco -3, under 50.5
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You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, September 26
Time: 8:20 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, CA
TV Coverage: NBC
Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Live Stream
Where can you watch Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Free Online Now.
Injuries
Green Bay Packers: TE Dominique Dafney (hip) D, G Elgton Jenkins (ankle) D
San Francisco 49ers: DL Arik Armstead (adductor) Q, DL Kevin Givens (ankle) O, RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle) O, RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) D, DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) Q, CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee) Q
Green Bay Packers Analysis
Remember after Week 1 when sports pundits were declaring the end of Aaron Rogers’ career after a dreadful performance against the Saints? That narrative went away very quickly. Rogers came back strong on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, airing it out for 255 yards with four touchdowns, three of which went to RB Aaron Jones. Was Week 1 just Rogers shaking off the rust? Or was Week 2 Rodgers shredding a bad defense in primetime? We’ll get a better idea this week.
The Packers need to get their running game going. They’re currently ranked near the bottom of the league in run offense, averaging just 69.5 yards per game. Compare that to last year, when the team averaged 132.4 running yards per game, good for eighth in the league. They’ve got the talent to run the rock, with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon in the backfield. They’re going to have to balance things out if they want to take out Super Bowl contenders like the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the Week 1 blowout, the Packers defense has been keeping the yardage low. They’re averaging 333 total yards per game so far. However, it’s a bit concerning that the team has one sack thus far. That’s the lowest total in the league right now, meaning the Pack have to get the pass rush going as they face major QBs this season such as Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes.
Green Bay Packers Depth Chart
QB: Aaron Rogers
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: AJ Dillon
WR1: Davante Adams
WR2: Randall Cobb
WR3: Marques Valdez-Scantling
TE1: Robert Tonyan
San Francisco 49ers Analysis
In two weeks, Jimmy Garoppollo has kept the Trey Lance fans silent. While some wanted the rookie Lance to start the season outright, Garoppolo has been consistent this season, completing 70% of his passes with two TDs and no picks. Jimmy G might not torch defenses every week, but he does enough to win.
The 49ers defense definitely misses Robert Saleh. Even with so many injuries last year, the former San Francisco defensive coordinator fielded the fifth-best defense in the league, allowing 314.4 yards per game. Now that Saleh is the head coach in New York, the defense has not been nearly as stingy. Through two games, the 49ers team defense ranks in the bottom half of the league, allowing 379 yards per game. With a high-octane offense in the Green Bay Packers coming to town, they’re going to have to tighten things up.
Along with the defense, the running game has been key for San Francisco the past few years. RB Elijah Mitchell broke out for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Lions, but a shoulder injury will likely keep him out against the Packers. Still, with the Kyle Shanahan running scheme, it seems like a high school running back could rack up 100 yards. Expect to see RB Trey Sermon get plenty of handoffs as San Francisco tries to control the clock against Green Bay.
San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1: Elijah Mitchell
RB2: Trey Sermon
WR1: Deebo Samuel
WR2: Trent Sherfeld
WR3: Brandon Aiyuk
TE1: George Kittle
Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Daily Fantasy Picks
Even though he’s started slow this season, I like San Fransico TE George Kittle here. The star receiver only has 95 yards and no touchdowns this season, but I think that’s going to change here. The Packers have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends so far this season, and I think that trend will continue on Sunday night. Kittle is listed at $6,200 on DraftKings, an entire $2,000 cheaper than Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. Go with Kittle as your starting TE for Week 3.
- Bills @ Rams
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- 49ers @ Bears
- Steelers @ Bengals
- Eagles @ Lions
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- Giants @ Titans
- Chiefs @ Cardinals
- Raiders @ Chargers
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