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

Reason No. 1: Aaron Rodgers is vastly superior to Jimmy Garoppolo

A few things are true here. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers owns a 0-3 record against San Francisco in the postseason. And the last time he squared off against Jimmy Garoppolo in the playoffs, the 49ers still managed to blow out Green Bay 37-20 with Garoppolo attempting just eight passes.

Ideally, that’d be the same approach the Niners take again, using a stout defense and overpowering run game to counter Rodgers’ presence and take advantage of a shaky Packers run defense.

Easier said than done, though. Especially on the road.

It’s not always an automatic thing. But, when looking at two teams facing off against each other this deep in the playoffs, it’s often a smart bet to use both the home-field advantage and who has the better quarterback as deciding factors.

Green Bay holds both of those here.

Rodgers is likely the 2021 NFL MVP, while Garoppolo is always going to be associated with being the kind of quarterback who is more at risk of costing his team a postseason victory instead of carrying that team through the playoffs.

Again, this is no guarantee Rodgers will outperform Garoppolo. But if you had to choose between the two, you know who you’d take.

San Francisco and Green Bay kick off on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 8:15 p.m. ET from Lambeau Field.