5 key reasons why 49ers can upset Packers in NFL playoff bout at Lambeau
The San Francisco 49ers marched into Dallas and fought until the bitter end. In order to beat the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, they must fight even harder.
The 49ers have their sights set on Super Bowl 56. The next step on that mission is to get through Green Bay on their home field of Lambeau field under torrid weather conditions to meet Aaron Rodgers and the heavily-favored Packers.
With a long history of battles, both regular-season and playoff, this will be a fiercely competitive game. From the Catch II in the 1998 Divisional Playoff game to Colin Kaepernicks record-breaking run performance just a decade ago, these teams never disappoint.
Here are 5 key reasons why the 49ers can upset the Packers in an NFL playoff bout in Lambeau.
Aaron Rodgers is 0-3 vs. the 49ers in the playoffs
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs no introduction. He’s a Super Bowl champion, an MVP, and a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer. At 38 years of age, Rodgers shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he’s gotten better with age.
In 14 years as a starter, Rodgers has celebrated 12 winning seasons and has been to the postseason 10 times. When it comes to playing lights-out football, it seems as though he’s got the number of every team he plays — every team except one. In 12 career games against the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers is 6-6 lifetime.
#Packers Aaron Rodgers on if he has extra motivation facing 49ers, who are 3-0 vs him in playoffs:
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 18, 2022
"No extra motivation. I’ve been around, played a lot of football. I understand the history of this rivalry between us and them. But these are different teams."
In the playoffs, it gets worse. In three postseason games against San Francisco, Rodgers is a disappointing 0-3. So, what is it about San Francisco that makes Rodgers seem so tame under center?
In three contests against the 49ers, there’s been nothing consistent enough to pose a constant threat. Over that span, San Francisco has started two different quarterbacks and has had two different head coaches.
The franchise has even had two different stadiums. So what is it? Is Rodgers still sore at his 2005 NFL Draft snub by then General Manager Scott McCloughan? One would think that his stable tenure and ongoing success in Green Bay would be enough to soothe the sting. Rodgers went on to learn from one of the best in the game in Brett Favre, while San Francisco hasn’t found stability at the position for more than a couple of years at a time.
So what is it that makes a Pro Bowl quarterback with a .669 win percentage seem so vulnerable? Could it be some form of rare Kryptonite not of this planet? Probably not.
One thing is for certain, whatever the reason is, don’t expect the 49ers to release Rodgers from their spell before Sunday.