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Packers vs. 49ers: 3 matchups to watch in 2020 NFC Championship game

By Josh Altorfer

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a first down during the first half of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a first down during the first half of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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49ers Packers Week 12
Aaron Rodgers #12. Arik Armstead #91. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers will play host to the Green Bay Packers in this year’s NFC Championship game. There are a few key matchups to pay close attention to that may determine the outcome of this game.

The San Francisco 49ers hosted the Green Bay Packers back in Week 12 of the regular season. The Niners won by a decisive final score of 37-8. Arik Armstead and the defensive line proved to be too much to handle, as they took down quarterback Aaron Rodgers five times and applied pressure on nearly every drop back.

The Niners‘ defense also dominated the running game by limiting Green Bay’s Jamaal Williams to a team-high 45 yards on the ground.

While the defense was the main reason for the lopsided victory, the offense came out to play, as well. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed for a solid 253 yards and threw two scores.

Tight end George Kittle was on the receiving end of 129 of those yards, and snagged one of the two touchdowns.

While the two teams’ rosters are almost entirely the same in this postseason matchup, the stakes have changed drastically. The winner goes on to Super Bowl LIV in Miami. Fans cannot expect the Niners to dominate Green Bay just because they did it back in Week 12.

Aaron Rodgers has a ton of postseason experience, and always seems to come up with big plays when his team needs them the most.

There is a multitude of matchups that can significantly impact the outcome of this game. The following are the three most important.