49ers: Blueprint for stopping Aaron Rodgers, Packers in NFC Championship

Weapons Confiscation

Rodgers has plenty of receiving weapons: Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Jimmy Graham, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Every one of those targets is capable of making critical conversions or taking it to the house at any point.

Hopefully, the Niners pass-rush will force Rodgers to make ill-advised throws, get sacked, or simply lose valuable downs. But let’s be real: Rodgers will eventually find a way to make plays downfield.

When he does, the 49ers secondary will need to shut it down.

Cornerback Richard Sherman has smashed all season, and he’d love nothing more than a pick-six from Rodgers. It’ll be interesting to see how often the Packers test the left side of the field.

Last week, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins found out the hard way that this is rarely a wise move.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1216137067530293248?s=20

Instead, the Packers are more likely to bully whoever starts opposite Sherman, either Ahkello Witherspoon or Emmanuel Moseley.

Last week, Witherspoon was swiftly benched after a poor series, and it proved to be a game-saving move. It remains to be seen which of the two will start against the Packers.

Luckily, these guys are going to have safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt lurking around the secondary to provide relief.