49ers: Blueprint for stopping Aaron Rodgers, Packers in NFC Championship
By Elvis Jerez
The No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers welcome the No. 2 seed Green Bay Packers to Levi’s Stadium for the second time this season, but this time, the winner will represent the NFC in Super Bowl 54. Here’s the blueprint for ensuring the 49ers go to the big game.
It might feel unnerving for San Francisco 49ers fans to await a fight against a legend-in-the-making quarterback who leads a storied franchise when there is a Super Bowl bid on the line. When Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers stop by in Santa Clara this Sunday, that’s the situation at hand.
If the 49ers are to advance to Super Bowl 54, stopping Rodgers will be the number one priority.
Rushing Attack
The best way to stop Aaron Rodgers is to sideline him. Relax, no one is condoning a bounty program or Tonya Harding tactics.
It’s simply known that few things frustrate a quarterback more than watching helplessly from the bench as the other team marches upfield.
The key here is establishing a solid run game. The 49ers amassed the second-most rushing yards and plays this season, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. There‘a no reason to switch gears now.
Head coach, Kyle Shanahan will have to deploy his talented backfield committee often and mercilessly. Running backs Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Matt Breida, plus fullback Kyle Juszczyk,should all have an opportunity to contribute.
A solid run game will keep Rodgers sidelined and the 49ers’ defense rested. By eating up precious time, it will also keep 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo upright.
Quick screens and outside zone runs, both Shanahan staples, will hinder the hungry Packers’ pass-rush.