The 49ers made it look easy in their 27-10 win over the Vikings in the Divisional Round last weekend. Now they’ll take on a Packers team that certainly made it interesting but was still able to pull away from the Seahawks in their 28-23 win. One of the biggest difference makers in the 49ers win were the upgrades defensively. Getting players back like Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander is a huge upgrade, especially in a game of this magnitude. Ford registered a sack against Kirk Cousins while Alexander helped shore up a run defense that looked a bit shaky near the end of the season.
On offense, the 49ers were lead by a massive game from Tevin Coleman, who rushed the ball a season-high 22 time for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Raheem Mostert said after the game that he was dealing with a calf cramp, which helped explain why he wasn’t handling the RB1 duties. Regardless of who will be the RB1 in this committee, which also features Matt Breida, they’ll be facing one of the worst run defenses in the league in the Packers. When the 49ers faced them in Week 12, they combined for 11 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The ground game should be heavily featured while George Kittle continues to flourish against a Packers team that allows an average of 54 receiving yards to opposing tight ends per game.
The Packers are fairly big underdogs in this game, a scenario they sport a 3-1 record against the spread in. They’ve also been a solid road team against the spread at 5-3. Offensively, this could be a bit of a challenge for the Packers. Davante Adams should see a decent amount of Ahkello Witherspoon in coverage while Allen Lazard, who didn’t receive a target last week, will get Richard Sherman. Adams dominated in targets, per the usual, with 11 while Jimmy Graham saw four, which was the second-highest total on the team. Alexander back for the 49ers won’t help Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams either, especially seeing as they combined for just 83 yards on 24 carries in Week 12.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: 49ers -7.5
Total Points: 45
Money Line: Packers +290; 49ers -345
Records
Overall: Packers 13-3; 49ers 13-3
ATS: Packers 11-6; 49ers 10-6-1
O/U: Packers 7-10; 49ers 8-8-1
Injury Report
Packers
Questionable: RB Dan Vitale (knee)
Removed from injury report: WR Geronimo Allison (illness), S Adrian Amos (chest), DT Kenny Clark (back), WR Allen Lazard (ankle), LB Blake Martinez (hand), LB Preston Smith (ankle), G Billy Turner (ankle)
49ers
No players listed: DL Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring), TE George Kittle (ankle), LB Kwon Alexander (pectoral), RB Tevin Coleman (elbow), RB Raheem Mostert (calf) all removed from final injury report
Betting Trends
- The favorites have won each of the 49ers’ last seven postseason games.
- The Packers have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
- Each of the Packers’ last four postseason games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Davante Adams has scored the first touchdown in three of the Packers’ last six games.
- Raheem Mostert has scored at least one touchdown in six of the 49ers’ last seven games.
- George Kittle has scored a touchdown in four of his last seven appearances against NFC opponents.
- Kendrick Bourne has scored at least one touchdown in three of the 49ers’ last four day games against NFC opponents.
- Aaron Jones has scored two touchdowns in three of the Packers’ last four games.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.