Bring on the 49ers

The time is now to turn the tide in rivalry

Since 1992, they have been the two most dominant teams in the NFC. In that time span, they have combined for 26 division titles (Packers - 15, 49ers - 11), 20 NFC Championship game appearances (49ers - 11, Packers - 9), seven NFC titles (SF - 4, GB - 3) and three Super Bowl titles (GB - 2, SF - 1). The only other NFC team close to those numbers since the early 90’s is the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the last 30 years, no two NFL teams have met in the playoffs more than the Packers and 49ers. In fact, the 10 playoff matchups between the two historic franchises (all since 1995) are the most in NFL History. The 49ers lead the series 6-4, winners of the last five meetings. The two teams have met at least two times in each of the three rounds of the playoffs, with the most matchups being in the divisional round.

The 49ers, who made their third straight NFC Championship game last year, are 5-5 and are fading in the NFC playoff picture, two games back of the Packers. For the Packers, Sunday will be a chance at a home win against another potential NFC playoff team. In three home games against NFC teams, the Packers are just 1-2, with the win being against the Arizona Cardinals and losses against the division rival Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Coming off his fifth career game-winning drive in Sunday’s win against the Chicago Bears, Love will look to lead his team to a victory over the 49ers for the first time as a starter. A win on Sunday could be a bit of redemption for last year’s playoff defeat, as well as give the Packers a critical win over a team they could be vying with for a playoff spot.

Having fourth quarter performances more reminiscent of the Texans or Bears games, rather than last season’s 49ers game, will likely be a big determining factor in Sunday’s game.

Playoff Push: What the Packers need to start, stop, and keep doing

After defeating the Chicago Bears 20-19 in a week 11 game with massive playoff implications, the Packers are 7-3 and have boosted their playoff chances to 80%.

On a high note, quarterback Jordan Love is returning to the form we saw in the back half of last season, and while there was another interception this past week, he’s back to making some diabolical throws now that the injured leg doesn’t seem to be nagging as much.

Also encouraging from week 11 is star edge rusher Rashan Gary getting back in the sack column and applying more pressure in recent weeks. While Brenton Cox flashed in his first bout in an expanded role, the struggling Lukas Van Ness has now started displaying counter-pass rush moves, signifying there might still be life in the first rounder yet!

However, the picture isn’t all pretty, and challenging games are ahead. The health of star cornerback Jaire Alexander and the lackluster pass rush are the biggest concerns. At the same time, Jeff Hafley has extended long leashes to players who should probably be getting more acquainted with the sidelines.

Should the Packers string together a strong push to end the season, first, they need to…

5 Takeaways From Packers 20 - 19 Bears: Welcome to the Party, Christian Watson

Green Bay’s receivers could not get much going on Sunday, but Watson was the exception, coming up with just enough big plays to propel his team to enough points to eventually come out on top.

Watson ended the day with four catches on four targets for 150 yards, including two crucial grabs to set the Packers up in scoring range.

He bailed Love out on his worst decision of the day, a YOLO ball into double coverage while Kraft streaked wide open underneath, by coming down with the pass, before registering a 60-yard catch on the final drive. The third-year receiver shook a Bears defender on the route, causing him to fall down. As it was man coverage, this meant no one was within an acre of Watson as he dove to make the grab. It was then a heady play by Watson to get up and scamper for plenty of extra yards, taking the Packers inside the red zone.

After tallying just 224 yards in the first nine games, Sunday’s performance served as a reminder that Green Bay’s offense is at its best when Watson is featured heavily. Hopefully his display against Chicago focuses the coaching staff’s minds on that reality going forward.

Check out four more takeaway’s from the win over the Bears.

Carry The G Cream Ale tasting this weekend!

Never had a Carry The G Cream Ale and wondering what all the fuss is about? Come out to Ridgeview Liquor, right down the street from Lambeau Field, this Saturday afternoon from Noon-2pm, meet Corey and Aaron, have a taste and buy a couple two, tree cases for the big game.

Carry The G Radio - 11/19/24

Aaron Nagler (Cheesehead TV) and Bill Schmid (973 The Game) celebrate the Packers win over the Bears and look ahead to the matchup with the 49ers!

Feeding Christian Watson Will Boost the Packers Offense

If there's one thing Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson knows well, it's patience. In seasons past, he's had to deal with the tough luck of nagging soft tissue injuries. When he was on the field, he'd show how explosive he could be, but when he was off, he'd have to deal with all the negativity that tends to surround a player with such luck. This season has been a different story though. At this time last year, Watson had missed three games and was two games away from missing the remainder of the regular season. He ended the regular season only playing nine games. This year, he's only missed one game and has played as many regular season matchups as last year with seven more to go. But, there's been a difference in production and opportunities despite his attendance.

The Packers gained credibility as a contender with a run in the back half of the 2023 season. If Christian Watson has anything to say about it, it will be more of the same in 2024.

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🧠 Jordan Love is getting SMARTER

Cheesehead TV Nation 49ers-Packers preview

Aaron chats with Andy Herman from the Pack-A-Day podcast about Sunday's showdown with the San Francisco 49ers…

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