Green Bay Packers v. 49ers: The Final Predictions

Before the Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, here are the final predictions for the upcoming matchup.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it, the Green Bay Packers’ last trip west to Santa Clara was an embarrassing one. However since then, they have won seven straight games and despite what the national media thinks this is an improved team from Week 12.

However, while the Packers are a better team than what the Niners last saw about two months ago, have they improved enough to pull off the win and earn a trip to the Super Bowl? Well, our staff here at Dairyland Express gives you their thoughts and predictions on that matter.

Matt Carroll: Packers 27 – 49ers 24

Let’s start by taking a look at what happened in the first matchup between the Green Bay Packers and 49ers. Fresh off of a bye, the Packers could only muster 198 total yards against the Niner defense. Though San Francisco’s offense didn’t blow Green Bay out of the water, 339 total yards on 112 yards rushing and 227 yards passing, an early Aaron Rodgers fumble gave the 49ers an early lead and before anyone knew it, the Packers had a 23-0 deficit at halftime.

That fumble was the only turnover in the game and the Packers had only five penalties to nine for the 49ers, but Rodgers was sacked five times and Green Bay finished a horrendous 1 for 15 on third downs.

Cleaning up third down conversion for Green Bay would be a huge start. They finished middle of the pack with a 37.39% conversion rate in the regular season. Also consider the fact that the Packers held the ball for almost 11 minutes MORE than the 49ers in the first meeting.

If the Packers convert closer to their season average on third down, which I think they will despite San Francisco’s league-leading defense, that will lead to longer time of possession and more offense in general.

Matt LaFleur and the Packers won’t let a repeat offensive performance of the first matchup happen on Sunday. By calling better plays on third downs and having a retooled offensive game plan, Green Bay will be able to keep more pressure on San Francisco. That will lead to some mistakes from Jimmy Garoppolo and a game that is close until the end. This time, it’s the Packers that prevail and Rodgers reaches his second career Super Bowl.

Bonus prediction: the Packers will be playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

Brian Sampson: Packers 21 – 49ers 31

Green Bay has defied all odds leading up to this point. They were hardly expected to make the playoffs, nonetheless, go 13-3, earn a first-round bye and advance to the NFC Championship game. Yet, here we are.

Unfortunately, their surprising season comes to an end on Sunday night. The 49ers are too good in too many areas for the Packers to overcome. It would take a perfect game from the Packers to upset San Fran. Aaron Rodgers and company fall just one game short of advancing to the Super Bowl.

Paul Bretl: Packers 20 – 49ers 27

The NFC Championship game will look nothing like the Week 12 matchup between these two teams. I just had to get that off my chest before I dove into Sunday’s game. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong  and this is a much better Green Bay Packers team this time around.

For one, we’ve seen the emergence of Allen Lazard, Tyler Ervin, and Chandon Sullivan. Aaron Rodgers is slinging it right now, Davnate Adams has been on fire the last four games and oh yeah, no Alex Light at right tackle this time.

Meanwhile, the defense has been very good against the run, giving up less than 90 yards per game to running backs over the last six games. Not to mention that they’ve been able to limit the big plays which is something that the Niners took advantage of in Week 12.

However, San Francisco is healthier than they were in the previous matchup and all-round, they are an excellent team. For Green Bay to come away with the win, on offense they’ll need to establish the run which will help open things up in the passing game against a stingy Niner secondary. While defensively, the Packers will need to slow the 49ers’ run game and put the ball in Jimmy Garoppolo’s hands where the pass-rush can do what they’ve done all season long.

So essentially, like most football games, winning in the trenches is key.

Unfortunately, I think the Niners will be too much to handle in the end, especially at home. While it certainly hurts to fall one game short of the Super Bowl, even if the Packers lose, this season has been a success.