The 49ers offense played well enough to win in the divisional round of the playoffs, but there’s a pretty low likelihood they can replicate their run-heavy game against the Packers.
If San Francisco is going to put together a good enough offensive game to beat Green Bay and move on to Super Bowl LIV, here are the six players who need to play well:
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The 49ers will likely need more from their quarterback in the NFC championship game than they got in the divisional round. Unless they find room to run 47 times again, Garoppolo will need to throw it more than 19 times for the game and six in the second half. He doesn’t need to put up monster stats, but he does need to be efficient and turnover-free when he does put the ball in the air. The 49ers will have a strong offensive outing as long as Garoppolo does those to things.
TE George Kittle
A better game for Garoppolo probably means more productivity in the air for Kittle. The tight end caught three balls for 16 yards vs. the Vikings, but Minnesota is far more equipped to stop tight ends than Green Bay. San Francisco’s offense typically goes as its tight end goes. If he can work the middle of the field and force the Packers to spend additional resources to slow him down, it unlocks just about anything the 49ers will want to do offensively.
LT Joe Staley
Staley will see a ton of matchups against Packers defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Smith didn’t earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro accolades, but he certainly should’ve. He’s one of the most disruptive players in the league at his position and has the best chance to derail the 49ers’ offensive game plan. Staley did a nice job in Week 17 against Jadeveon Clowney, and again against Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen in the playoffs. It’s a huge advantage for the 49ers if he wins a majority of those matchups.
RT Mike McGlinchey
There was only one bad series for McGlinchey against a very good Vikings pass rush. It came in the first quarter and he gave up a sack on a first down to put the 49ers in a second-and-long. Then on third-and-19 he was flagged for a false start. McGlinchey bounced back though and played well the rest of the way. One bad series against either Za’Darius or Preston Smith could be the difference in a close game, so the 49ers’ second-year right tackle needs to be good for 60 minutes.
C Ben Garland
Weston Richburg started the 49ers-Packers Week 12 matchup, so this will be Garland’s first action against Kenny Clark and Green Bay’s interior defensive line. He did well against Minnesota, and needs another good showing against Clark, who’s a relatively underrated player on Green Bay’s defense. While the Smiths are both impact players on the edges, Clark can wreak havoc inside as well if Garland and the interior don’t do well slowing him down.
RB Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman had a career day against the Vikings, so asking for a follow up on his 22-carry, 105-yard, two-touchdown performance is a tall order. Mostert has been excellent at running on the edges, but his touchdown run in Week 12 against Green Bay came on an inside run. Getting yards inside is key with Za’Darius and Preston Smith patrolling the edges. While Mostert thrives at turning the corner, he’s been very good at shedding tacklers in the middle of the field as well. If Coleman slows down some in the NFC championship, Mostert will need to step up and rip off a few explosive carries.
