3 ways 49ers were able to contain Aaron Rodgers, Packers

No. 3: 49ers made Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable

The 49ers defensive line has been unstoppable in the playoffs with a large number of healthy players chomping at the bit for playing time. In the Wild Card round, the unit sacked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott five times and disrupted any big plays the quarterback tried to make.

Against the Packers, it took the defensive front a little while to figure out its counterparts, but after a few possessions, this unit started to make Aaron Rodgers move out of his comfort zone. EDGE Samson Ebukam got the first sack of the game for the Niners, while fellow EDGE Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Arik Armstead continued their blistering play, recording two sacks apiece.

Because of the lack of offensive success by the Niners, the defense had to have a razor-sharp focus and not make many mental mistakes or penalties that would move the ball down the field for Green Bay.

Rodgers didn’t throw any interceptions in the game, but he was never able to take control either. The pressure put on him by the defensive line was enough to normalize the Green Bay offensive star.

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San Francisco had success pressuring Rodgers in previous matchups, and that had to have entered his mind as the game progressed. Rodgers is now 0-4 in his playoff career against the 49ers and sits at home pondering where his career will continue. The Niners kept him off the field enough and limited his explosive plays, which gave them the chance they needed to win.

A consistent effort in the running game, mixed in with enough protection of the football and an aggressive pass rush, kept Rodgers from his usual destruction and enabled San Francisco to move on to the NFC Championship.