5 Big Questions Revisited from Green Bay Packers v. 49ers
By Paul Bretl
Q: What does the Green Bay Packers OL configuration look like?
A: Not what I thought it would look like
With David Bakhtiari out, the Green Bay Packers decided to go with Billy Turner at left tackle instead of Yosh Nijman, and they kept Dennis Kelly at right tackle. Jon Runyan remained at left guard, Josh Myers was the center, and Lucas Patrick slid over to right guard.
Matt LaFleur will often talk about putting his best five on the field, and I do think that’s what the Packers did. Kelly had been playing at a high level at right tackle since taking over, and Turner has much more experience than Nijman. But where you can question the decision is whether or not it was the right move to play a brand new offensive line configuration in a playoff game against a very good 49ers defensive front. Also, the move from right tackle to left tackle is not exactly a seamless one either–and I can’t imagine Turner has many reps as a left tackle in practice this season.
On the ground, the Packers would average only 3.4 yards per carry while Rodgers was pressured 13 times, according to PFF ($$), and there were times where it felt like he consistently had to make plays with defenders in his face–although getting the ball out sooner would have helped. Individually speaking, this was also a particularly rough showing for Kelly, who allowed five of the 13 pressures.
Q: Can the 49ers slow Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams?
A: Yes
Look, he’s Davante Adams, he’s pretty much always going to put up numbers against any team, and he did against San Francisco as well. Adams finished the game with nine receptions on 11 targets for 90 yards–but the key for the 49ers was that he didn’t take the game over as he has done against them in the past.
The Niners did a good job of doubling Adams and trying to limit his impact on the game. When Adams was facing single coverage, you can bet Rodgers was looking his way, and that is where he did most of his damage.
Outside of Adams, Aaron Jones had nine receptions of his own, but Allen Lazard was the only other receiver with a reception — and he had only one — while Dominique Dafney had the third most targets with just two.
We know this offense runs through Adams — as it should — but this game seemed to be one of those instances where Rodgers was a little too locked into him, and as a result, he missed some easier completions elsewhere. Green Bay’s final offensive play of the game on 3rd & 12 is a prime example of this, with Lazard running wide open over the middle of the field.
Bonus Question: Can the special teams unit hold it together?
A: Not even close
We shouldn’t be surprised, but the weak link of this Green Bay Packers team all season long played a major role in determining the outcome of a playoff game. From a 45-yard kick return from Samuel, to a blocked field goal and punt, to having only 10 men on the field for San Francisco’s final field goal attempt. The play of this unit was a complete disaster and cost the Packers 10 points.