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49ers vs. Packers: 3 key players for San Francisco in Week 6

By Peter Panacy

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Fransico 49ers drops Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers during an NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 49ers defeated the Packers 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Fransico 49ers drops Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers during an NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 49ers defeated the Packers 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Defensive End Solomon Thomas

Aaron Rodgers is pretty darned good at extending plays and avoiding pressure — elements to his game we’ve seen over his entire career. And regardless of Richard Sherman’s presence, the 49ers secondary isn’t equipped to withstand Rodgers having the time to find a receiver about to get open.

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That means pressure, of course, and that’s not exactly something San Francisco has generated much this season.

It would be easy to say defensive tackle DeForest Buckner needs to take over the game on defense. The Packers know he can, and they’ll likely shift protection for Rodgers in Buckner’s direction. Wouldn’t you if you were Green Bay?

Buckner needs help. And if the 49ers are to have any chance of winning in Week 6, someone like second-year defensive end Solomon Thomas will have to have a huge game.

Thomas hasn’t yet lived up to his 2017 NFL Draft status although, in fairness, the Niners haven’t exactly played him in a position to thrive. But with the Packers often using three-wide formations, forcing San Francisco to deploy sub packages, we should hope to see a lot of Thomas on the inside at the strong-side 5-technique position.

That’s good.

Thomas will find himself frequently lining up opposite Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga, which is a matchup the Niners DE can exploit if he works more on Bulaga’s left side, therefore avoiding the end-around rushes with which Thomas doesn’t have enough speed.

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If Thomas has an above-average game Monday, the Niners could put themselves in a significantly better chance to win.

the 49ers and Packers kick off on Monday, Oct. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET from Lambeau Field in Green Bay.