Niner Noise
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3 Packers players the 49ers must stop in 2020 NFC Championship Game

By James Jones

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 12: Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 12: Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive play during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive play during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Za’Darius Smith

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith has a chip on his shoulder and a “snubbed” on his shirt. After a season in which he posted 13.5 sacks, good for 6th in the league, he was not named to the Pro Bowl.

He has stated that he doesn’t care about being overlooked, but his undershirt unveiling in last week’s Divisional game against the Seattle Seahawks proves otherwise.

The 49ers will have to contain Smith on Sunday and protect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo if they have any hope of winning this game.

It won’t be easy, as the Packers’ front seven also contains linebacker Preston Smith and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The three Packers generated 25 pressures against Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson in the Divisional Round, which is no easy feat with such a mobile quarterback.

Of course, the Seahawks’ offensive line was in shambles and nowhere near its peak health. San Francisco will have their full arsenal of offensive lineman, and that should be more than enough to keep the Green Bay pass rush in check.

Next. 49ers X-Factors against the Packers. dark

If Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers can shut down, or at least contain, Davanta Adams, Aaron Jones, and Za’Darius Smith, they will go to sleep Sunday night as the 2020 NFC Champions.