49ers Week 12 preview vs. Packers: Jimmy Garoppolo must be on point

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 28-25. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

X-Factors and Matchups to Watch

The Packers are coming off their bye week, giving Aaron Rodgers and Co. the added week to both rest up and prepare for this bout.

Yet Green Bay’s last trip to California didn’t exactly go so well, as the Los Angeles Chargers held Rodgers to a mere 139 pass yards with three sacks en route to the Packers’ second loss of the season — a 26-11 defeat.

Los Angeles’ pass rush was instrumental in that particular bout, meaning the 49ers will look to emulate the same in Week 12.

Nick Bosa, 49ers Pass Rush vs. Packers Offensive Line

Football Outsiders ranks Green Bay’s offensive line a respectable 10th in pass protection this season, while Rodgers has taken just 22 sacks — tied for 16th most in the league.

Rodgers’ elusiveness within the pocket needs little introduction, meaning San Francisco’s pass-rushers will need to be on point, namely rookie EDGE Nick Bosa, who’ll have to assume a larger role with Dee Ford most likely out for the game.

Bosa has seven sacks on the year, while defensive tackle Arik Armstead leads the Niners with eight.

49ers Run Defense vs. Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones’ 11 touchdown is pretty exemplary, but one can’t overlook his 4.4 yards per rush this season.

That number isn’t exactly towards the top, and Jones has largely been a “feast or famine” ball carrier. He’s had three games with 90-plus yards rushing with four games of 40 yards or less on the ground.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is allowing an average of 4.7 yards per rush this season — ranked 26th best in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Jimmy Garoppolo

While they won’t physically face each other on the field this Sunday, the bout between Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo will be a focal point for this prime-time contest.

It’s important to note Garoppolo has just 20 starts on his career, while Rodgers will be starting game No. 169.

Interestingly enough, however, Rodgers has tossed three or more touchdowns in a single game just twice this season: Week 7 against the Oakland Raiders and Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Garoppolo, meanwhile, has tossed four touchdowns in a game twice the past three weeks.

Either way, both quarterbacks’ performances will likely highlight the eventual outcome.