Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay Packers will be back in action this weekend, hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in the Divisional Round. The 49ers were able to pick up an upset victory over their old-school rivals in the Dallas Cowboys to set up a matchup against their new-age rivals in the Packers.
This is a big game for Rodgers. His future with the organization is still up in the air, as no one knows for sure what he will decide to do this offseason. He very well could request a trade despite looking as if he will win a second consecutive MVP award.
Would winning a Super Bowl be enough to convince him to remain in Green Bay? It is anyone’s guess if that would, as only Rodgers knows what it would take to get him to stay. But, to even have a chance at another Super Bowl, they have to get past the 49ers first.
San Francisco has been a thorn in Aaron Rodgers’ side throughout his postseason career. The Packers and 49ers have faced off three times in the playoffs with Rodgers under center and they have won all three matchups.
The first matchup came in the Divisional Round in 2013, as the 49ers won going away 45-31 at Candlestick Park. The following year the teams faced off in a Wild Card matchup at Lambeau Field, as the 8-7-1 Packers hosted the 12-4 49ers. San Francisco emerged victorious 23-20 on a 33-yard field goal from Phil Dawson as time expired.
The most recent matchup came in 2021 in the NFC Championship game at Levi Stadium. The 49ers once again blew the doors off of the Packers, winning 37-20 as Rodgers threw two interceptions and fumbled three times, losing one of them.
Given his shaky track record against the 49ers in his career in the postseason, what will be different this time around for Rodgers? For one thing, he is certainly motivated.
The team’s decision to use a first-round pick in 2020 on a quarterback seemed to light a fire under Rodgers. He was excellent last season and this season. Unfortunately, the team has fallen short every season with Matt LaFleur, winning 13 games in all three seasons with him on the sidelines but losing in the NFC Championship game each season.
To make it there for a third straight year, Rodgers will have to do something he has never done and that is defeat the 49ers. One thing that will help this season is the run game.
Green Bay has a two-headed attack in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon in the backfield. A reliable running game isn’t something the Packers have always had during Rodgers’ tenure, but it certainly makes life easier for him.
Another thing that he has working in his favor that could lead to a massive game is Davante Adams. San Francisco has figured some things out in their secondary, but they aren’t an elite unit. Adams is an elite wide receiver and there isn’t a duo that has better chemistry in the league than Rodgers and Adams.
Knowing he has an advantage on basically every play the 49ers don’t shade extra coverage over to him, Rodgers will find plenty of success through the air, with Adams being the main beneficiary. In the first matchup with the 49ers this season, Aaron Rodgers took full advantage and he will again this week in the Divisional Round.
