Standing between the Green Bay Packers and their eighth win of the season are their inter-conference rival the San Francisco 49ers, who hope to improve their postseason chances drastically with a win at Lambeau Field in Week 12.
Coming off last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco is 5-5 and on the outside looking in of the current playoff picture. A win on Sunday would increase their playoff chances to over 50 percent, according to Pro Football Focus’ Timo Riske.
The Packers, on the other hand, barely escaped with a win last week, needing a blocked field goal as time expired to secure a victory over the Chicago Bears.
Still, despite some disappointing results this season, the 49ers are loaded with talent, and given their history against Green Bay, the Packers will have to be on their A-game.
For Green Bay, this will be a chance to avenge last year’s divisional-round loss to San Francisco, which ended their Cinderella season. If the Packers hope to accomplish that on Sunday, here are three key matchups that will go a long way toward helping them do it.
LB Quay Walker vs RB Christian McCaffrey
The Bears entered last week with the 25th-ranked rushing offense. However, that didn’t stop them from gashing Green Bay for 179 rushing yards, their second-highest total of the season. Seventy of those yards came from quarterback Caleb Williams, as the Packers had clearly overlooked his scrambling ability. Brock Purdy is also mobile, but his status for Sunday’s game is up in the air due to a right shoulder injury. Even if Purdy plays, the 49ers are expected to feature their elite running back. McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season with Achilles and calf injuries but has since returned to put up over 100 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back games. He will need some help, but Walker’s role in limiting McCaffrey will be crucial. Walker is the team’s every-down linebacker and will spend a lot of his time tracking McCaffrey in the run and pass game.
WR Jayden Reed vs CB Deommodore Lenoir
Even though Christian Watson is coming off a career day of 150 receiving yards against Chicago, Green Bay does not have a true No.1 receiver. That being said, the most consistent receiver in this year’s offense has been Reed. The dynamic slot receiver has been a big play machine in Year 2, with 12 catches going for at least 20 yards. However, Reed will have a difficult matchup this week against a solid slot defender. Lenoir has two interceptions this season and has not given up a touchdown. According to PFF, Lenoir has allowed the 11th-most yards after the catch at his position in 2024, which is a good sign for Reed, who is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
RB Josh Jacobs vs LB Fred Warner
Walker vs McCaffrey won’t be the only running back vs linebacker matchup to keep tabs on in this one. Warner is one of the best defensive players in all of football and has been a key component in San Francisco’s eighth-ranked run defense. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s offense has been at its best this season when Jacobs and the run game are firing on all cylinders. Jacobs is third in the league in rushing yards and sixth in attempts while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. As usual, getting him going will go a long way toward the Packers having success on Sunday.
