5 Big Question for Green Bay Packers in Matchup v. 49ers
By Paul Bretl
![Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs between San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) and defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (4) after a catch during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs between San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) and defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (4) after a catch during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fd157b8148c2d7fd4bfb65360a1f49ff668ffdb752b4c3693f2e159ca63414b0.jpg)
Can the 49ers slow Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams?
Overall, this is a very good San Francisco defense that ranks eighth in points per game allowed and seventh by DVOA. But if there is a matchup that Green Bay can try to take advantage of, it is the 49er cornerbacks, particularly against Davante Adams.
As pointed out by Packer Report’s Dusty Evely, according to Football Outsiders, the Niners rank 16th against the pass this season. But when defending the opponent’s No. 1 wide receiver, they rank 31st and are giving up an average of 88.1 yards per game.
The last time these two teams met in Week 3, Adams was targeted a whopping 18 times and he caught 12 of those passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. In 2020, albeit against a banged-up Niners team, Adams caught 10 of 12 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.
With the front-seven that the 49ers have, running the ball won’t be easy. This very well could turn into a game that relies heavily on Aaron Rodgers’ arm, which in turn means we are likely to see a lot of Davante Adams. The formula for success on offense appears fairly apparent after these last two games against the 49ers — get the ball to Adams — however, the question becomes, does San Franciso have an answer?