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5 biggest challenges facing 49ers vs. Packers, Ravens and Saints

By Robert Morrison

Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 17: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a first down in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 17: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a first down in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Stopping NFL’s top offenses

By almost any metric you look at, the Packers, Ravens and Saints feature offenses which among the tops in the NFL.

Football Outsiders DVOA currently ranks the Packers as the fifth best offense (16.7 percent), the Ravens as the third best (24.8 percent) and the Saints, who were missing quarterback Drew Brees for a large chunk of the season, as eighth best (10.8 percent). Other than Seattle (fourth, 20.5 percent) and Arizona (ninth, 6.2 percent), the 49ers haven’t faced an offense higher than 21st (Rams, minus-5.0 percent) so far in 2019.

The numbers don’t look better when looking at Pro Football Focus‘ grading system. By those numbers, the Packers are sixth in the NFL (77.8), the Ravens are second (83.5) and the Saints are third (80.6). Much like with DVOA, outside of Seattle (ninth, 77.2, right behind the Niners), the 49ers haven’t faced anyone higher than Tampa at 16th (72.4).

The 49ers’ next three opponents are also tops in a key stat: points per game. The Ravens currently lead the NFL at 34.1, the Packers are ninth at 25.0 while the Saints are 13th at 23.8. So while efficiency and grades are useful measures, ultimately it’ll be up to the Niners defensive unit to stop these offenses from scoring.

The good news is that outside of their two games against the Cardinals, the 49ers defense has been top notch, and held Seattle’s top-10 offense in relative check a few weeks ago. If the Niners are going to compete in and win as many of these upcoming games as possible, the defense will need to continue its strong play.

This will be led by continued dominance in the secondary with cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley and returning Ahkello Witherspoon, along with the pass rush of rookie edge rusher Nick Bosa and defensive end Arik Armstead.

Otherwise there may be issues, as these teams also feature strong defenses themselves.