The Green Bay Packers will attempt to solidifying their standing in the NFC playoff race and get a little postseason revenge when the San Francisco 49ers come to Lambeau Field for a Week 12 showdown on Sunday.
The Packers are 7-3 and can gain another advantage over a playoff contender with a win on Sunday. The 49ers are 5-5 and in big danger of missing the playoffs if they can’t win in Green Bay.
Can the Packers take one step closer to the postseason while severely damaging a playoff rival?
Here’s a closer look at the 49ers in Week 12:
Last week (Loss, 20-17 to Seahawks)
The 49ers held a 17-13 lead late in the fourth quarter but gave up an 80-yard touchdown drive, losing 20-17 when Geno Smith scrambled in for the go-ahead score with 12 seconds to go. Kyle Shanahan’s team was one first down away from clinching the win but couldn’t get it done, and Smith found big completions to DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the final drive before his go-ahead rushing score. Brock Purdy scrambled for a touchdown in the first half and found Jauan Jennings for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Jennings caught 10 passes, Christian McCaffrey went over 100 total yards and Purdy rushed for 40 yards. The 49ers delivered four sacks and a takeaway on defense, and the offense converted 7-of-11 third downs, but Shanahan’s team also committed nine penalties. Like Packers-Bears, 49ers-Seahawks was a low-possession game.
Quarterback play
Brock Purdy’s efficiency as the leader of the 49ers offense hasn’t reached 2023 levels, but he’s still completing 66.0 percent of his passes and averaging 8.5 yards per attempt (third best) while adding a dynamic scrambling ability (267 rushing yards, four touchdowns). By overall PFF grade, Purdy ranks ninth among quarterbacks. His big-time throw percentage is down, but so is his turnover-worthy play percentage. He’s also holding the ball much longer this season, possibly due to the injuries to stars on the 49ers offense. The Packers must be aware of Purdy’s scrambling ability — he ranks second among all quarterbacks with 37 scrambles this season. Purdy doesn’t have elite size but he is a quick and creative runner.
Line of scrimmage
The 49ers rank 13th in pass-blocking grade and first in run-blocking grade at PFF. Brock Purdy has been sacked 20 times, but he’s held the ball longer this season. The run game is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt, a top-5 mark. The Packers defensive front will be challenged by an offensive line featuring veteran All-Pro Trent Williams and solid rookie Dominick Puni. Tight end George Kittle is a game-changing blocker, but he missed last week with a hamstring injury. Defensively, the 49ers are giving up just 4.3 yards per carry, a top-10 mark, and have 26 sacks. Nick Bosa is the star up front, but Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins both have 30 or more pressures. At PFF, the 49ers rank 27th in run defense grade and 13th in pass-rushing grade, so it’s possible this is an underperforming defensive front through 10 games.
Turnovers
The 49ers are plus-3 in turnover margin this season, ranking 11th overall. Of the offense’s 13 turnovers, eight have come via interceptions thrown by Brock Purdy, including one last week on a deflected ball. The defense has 16 takeaways, ranking ninth. The 49ers are one of nine teams with 10 or more interceptions this season, so Jordan Love must be careful with the football. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has a league-high four forced fumbles, plus two picks. The 49ers are only 1-3 when forcing one or zero turnovers this season, and 2-5 when they have at least one giveaway. San Francisco turned it over multiple times in losses to the Chiefs, Cardinals and Vikings.
Injury situations
The 49ers are missing a lot of big pieces. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga are all on injured reserve. Defensive end Nick Bosa is dealing with a couple of lower-body injuries. Tight end George Kittle missed last week with a hamstring injury. Running back Christian McCaffrey is still working his way back from a calf/Achilles injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward has missed time due to a devastating off-the-field issue but could return thisk week. More will be known on the 49ers injuries later on Wednesday.
Players to know
LB Fred Warner: The Packers need to know where No. 54 is on every snap. He’s one of the true game-wrecking linebackers in the NFL.
WR Jauan Jennings: A big, physical receiver who has 42 catches and a team-high 588 receiving yards this season. He can block, make contested catches and win after the catch.
LB De’Vondre Campbell: The former Packers linebacker has allowed catches on 40 of 46 targets into his coverage and has missed a team-high 11 tackles.
TE George Kittle: He leads all tight ends with seven touchdown catches, and he’s arguably the most impactful blocking tight end in the NFL. Will he return from a hamstring injury?
CB Deommodore Lenoir: He’s picked off two passes and broken up four more, and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 68.4 when targeting him in coverage.
