5 Packers weaknesses 49ers can attack in NFC Championship game
By Chris Wilson
No. 5: Go After Packers Cornerback Kevin King
Green Bay has a middle-of-the-pack pass defense, statistically, ranking 14th in pass yards allowed (3,721) and 18th in net yards per attempt (6.3). But, it also has an elite-level pass rush, namely with edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.
As such, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be tasked with getting the ball out quickly to his receiving targets.
The Packers’ top boundary cornerback is Jaire Alexander, while the No. 2 option is Kevin King. King is the player Garoppolo and the 49ers should target early and often throughout the contest.
While he hasn’t been a massive liability this season, his 62.8 pass-coverage grade is notably lower than Alexander’s 75.5 grade in this same category, per Pro Football Focus.
King, 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, has a size advantage over most of San Francisco’s wide receivers. Yet, his twitchiness and reactive abilities never reached the point for which the Packers were hoping back when they drafted him in 2017.
One player to watch here is rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who’ll look to exploit this by using his exceptional footwork and separation skills.