4 reasons why 49ers stand no chance vs. Packers in NFL playoffs

Reason No. 2: 49ers at a disadvantage with traveling on a short week in the cold

There are plenty of other uncontrollable factors working against San Francisco, too.

The divisional round will mark the first time this season where the 49ers have to play a sub-freezing game, and the expected temperature at kickoff will be 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s one thing to overcome. But even if the weather wasn’t as big a factor, the Niners are still at a notable disadvantage in this particular contest, namely with the game being played on a Saturday instead of a Sunday, meaning head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad will be forced to absorb one less day of rest and preparation, bumping up their pregame practices and activities by a day, then traveling two time zones east.

Never an easy task for a West Coast team under the best of circumstances.

It gets worse, though. Green Bay, having won the No. 1 seed in the conference, enjoyed the benefit of a first-round bye while not having to partake in the Wild Card round. Instead, the Packers will get that added week of rest and preparation for a home game amid conditions to which the overwhelming majority of their players have acclimated.

Again, a massive advantage for Green Bay.

There’s another advantage the Packers have, too.