The 49ers defense put together a masterpiece in their last meeting with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. They held the Packers’ quarterback to just 104 yards and limited Green Bay to one touchdown in a 37-8 win.
Duplicating anything close to that performance in the NFC championship game won’t be easy, but strong outings from these six players will help them do it:
DE Dee Ford
There may not be a more impactful player on the 49ers’ defensive line than Ford. He transforms the 49ers’ pass rush into an unstoppable whirlwind that single-handedly wins games. Ford played just 22 snaps against the Vikings and still logged a sack, and his presence collapsing the pocket generated multiple hits on quarterback Kirk Cousins. He can either stretch the offensive line horizontally by lining up opposite Nick Bosa, or stress one side of the line by lining up next to the rookie defensive end. Ford creates a ton of havoc, and that’s what this defense thrives on.
DT Sheldon Day
Defensive tackle DJ Jones had a monster game last time out against the Packers, and played a key role in the 49ers slowing down Green Bay’s run game. Earl Mitchell will play a part in plugging the middle, but Day should get more snaps and more opportunities to shut off the faucet on the Packers rushing attack. His ability to get penetration in the middle of the line is a significant factor for the 49ers’ defense in the NFC championship game.
CB Emmanuel Moseley
This assumes Moseley gets the nod over Ahkello Witherspoon at cornerback, but the story is the same even if Witherspoon starts. Richard Sherman did a terrific job on Davante Adams in their first matchup, so it’s likely Green Bay will find ways to get Adams matched up with Moseley on the other side. Moseley doesn’t have to be perfect, he just has to be good enough to not let Adams get loose for explosive plays. Allowing a few receptions against Aaron Rodgers is bound to happen, he just can’t give up a monster game to Green Bay’s best offensive player.
LB Dre Greenlaw
The fifth-round rookie has been excellent in his first season, and will have a couple tough assignments against Green Bay. He’ll be tasked with covering running back Aaron Jones on some snaps, and he’ll have some matchups with tight end Jimmy Graham. Greenlaw has been a valuable linebacker as a run stopper and in the passing game, and that has to continue Sunday. Not letting the Packers successfully isolate him on the running back or tight end keeps the 49ers from warping the rest of their defense to help the rookie linebacker.
DL Arik Armstead
Armstead has been sensational in his fifth season, and he has the opportunity Sunday to help spearhead a big-time defensive effort. Not only will he be vital in getting pressure on Rodgers as an interior pass rusher, but he has to have a good game setting the edge against the run. The Packers may try and stress the 49ers horizontally by pounding the edges early with quick throws and outside runs. Armstead staying outside and slowing those plays before they can get north to south, then getting penetration as a pass rusher inside are two things that can really slow Green Bay’s offense.
FS Jimmie Ward
Limiting big plays is perhaps the single biggest key for the 49ers defense Sunday. That often comes down to Ward in the back end of the secondary, whether he’s making a tackle on a long run, or defending a deep throw. San Francisco’s free safety has been excellent all year as a tackler and defending deep balls. If Rodgers has time to unload a throw down the field to one of the myriad weapons he has capable of stretching a defense vertically, Ward has to ensure that throw doesn’t get completed. The 49ers did a nice job forcing the Packers to operate in a smaller box on offense in the first meeting, and their defensive success relies a lot on doing that again. Ward will have the biggest hand in that.
