5 Packers weaknesses 49ers can attack in NFC Championship game
By Chris Wilson
No. 4: Exploit the Packers’ Lack of Wide Receiver Depth
Aaron Rodgers has, essentially, only one bonafide pass-catching threat in wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams came close to reaching the 1,000-yard receiving plateau this season, finishing the year with 997 yards here.
The reason behind the relative lack of high receiving totals for Adams and the rest of Green Bay’s pass catchers is head coach Matt LaFleur’s focus on a more-balanced offense, which utilizes more of the run game. However, it’s also telling that none of the Packers’ other receiving threats reached 500 receiving yards in 2019.
That’s something the 49ers need to exploit.
San Francisco doesn’t shadow an opponent’s top receiver with its top defensive back. Instead, the Niners will place cornerback Richard Sherman on the defense’s left side, likely meaning Adams will be on the weak side of the formation.
The 49ers do have question marks with their No. 2 cornerback, likely to be Emmanuel Moseley after he replaced Ahkello Witherspoon in the divisional round against the Minnesota Vikings. Still, some over-the-top help from San Francisco’s safeties would be wise here.
Let one of the other Green Bay receivers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Allen Lazard, come up with a multitude of big-time plays. Not Adams.