The next three games for the 49ers won’t be easy, and the stretch begins Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers – the current No. 2 seed in the NFC. This game is oozing with talent from both sides with Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo leading the charge. All the matchups to watch in this one effectively stem from the two signal callers.
Here are the matchups that will decide the Sunday night clash between the 49ers and Packers:
Richard Sherman vs. Davante Adams
Sherman had an interesting week last week when he got called for pass interference three times against Cardinals second-year receiver Christian Kirk. On Sunday he’ll face possibly the best receiver he’s lined up against this season. Adams missed four games earlier in the year with a toe injury, but still leads Green Bay with 57 targets. He’s by far Rodgers’ favorite pass catcher, and the star quarterback won’t hesitate to go after Sherman like some others have this season. Sherman will need to do his best not just covering Adams, but also covering Adams with less physicality than usual to prevent those big penalties.
Nick Bosa vs. David Bakhtiari
This could be the matchup that decides how Adams does against Sherman. Bosa vs. Bakhtiari is the matchup that features the most talent between two players who will line up directly against each other. Bosa hasn’t had a sack the last three games, but those three games have been against extremely mobile quarterbacks. Rodgers has the ability to move around in the pocket, but he isn’t as explosive as Kyler Murray or Russell Wilson. Bosa should have enough speed to get to Rodgers off the edge without having to fear a big play on the ground if he slips outside the pocket. Bakhtiari has been in the upper tier of left tackles for the past several years, and will have his hands full with the rookie pass rusher.
Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert vs. the Packers run defense
The 49ers’ rushing offense has been bad the past three weeks, averaging just 74 yards per game on the ground. Coleman will once again get the majority of the carries with Matt Breida out, but Coleman has averaged just over 25 yards per game in the last three, and was so ineffective last week that the 49ers essentially dropped the run game in the second half. Green Bay’s defense will be the worst defense against the run the 49ers have faced since Carolina when Coleman rushed for 105 yards. George Kittle’s return should help the run game in a game, which will be vital to take some of the pressure off Garoppolo.
