3 Packers players the 49ers must stop in 2020 NFC Championship Game
By James Jones
2. Aaron Jones
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushed for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019. The San Francisco 49ers’ defense wasn’t supposed to be able to shut him down in their divisional matchup last week.
Regardless, they managed to make him a non-factor in that game, helping to set up this Sunday’s tilt with the Packers for the NFC Championship.
The defense will have to do the same to another Pro Bowl caliber running back in Aaron Jones if they want their season to continue into February. While Jones was not named to the Pro Bowl this season, he’s capable of taking over a game all on his own.
As such, San Francisco will have to pick its poison in this contest.
If they’re able to stick to the same formula of taking out the opposing team’s run game, they can force the Packers and Rodgers to become one dimensional in their offensive approach. It worked well in their Week 12 matchup, and while both teams are different than in that game, this one could have the same outcome if Jones is shut down early.
San Francisco is markedly more healthy than they were in these teams’ first encounter. They had linebacker Kwon Alexander, EDGE Dee Ford, and safety Jaquiski Tartt make their returns from injury last week.
Alexander, Ford, and Tartt will be integral to the efforts of stopping Jones from having a good day on the ground.