Game 1 against the 49'ers

It's going to be a heck of a game. The 49ers are loaded.

They are certainly not a great offense, but if the Pack's defense hasn't improved from last year they're good enough to control clock all day. Probably going to need to force a couple turnovers by Smith which isn't as easy as it used to be.

The Newhouse/Lang vs. Aldon and Justin Smith battles on the lines will be key matchups. If those guys are getting pressure all day, the Pack's offense will slow down despite all the weapons.

SF is a team that IMO is built to stop a team like the Packers.

They have a very good power running game, a great TE, and decent special teams. They also have two DEs that are going to give our OL all they can handle. In particular, I am not excited at all about Justin Smith if he's the guy lining up against Newhouse.

The saving grace is that Smith is still their QB, and you have to hope the Niners try to trade points with GB and pass the ball because if it turns into a ball possession game I don't like how GB matches up. The best case scenario for GB is they jump out to an early lead and force SF to give up on the running game and force Smith into some mistakes.

Too early for a last call?

Yes they are built to beat Green Bay. It's all about matchups.

Looking forward to see if Newhouse/Lang can handle the Smith brothers.

The last time I remember a matchup like this, the Packers smoked 'em!

The Niners are in deep doo doo if the Packers get out to a big lead.

As long as the Packers aren't turning the ball over, it's going to be a great game & one we should've seen in January

If the Pack had their 2010 defense back, I wouldn't even be nervous about this one. The 2012 defense is a big unknown. If they're closer to the 2010 level, they win. If they're more like 2011, it will be tough to overcome.

I see a front of Pickett,Raji and Wilson against the run. Most likely Capers has a "Heavy Package " in the play book that may utilize the starting three and another guy most likely Merling as both Worthy and Daniels are alittle light at this time.

This starting 3 man line Pickett,Raji and Wilson is Dom Capers prelimenary answer for a strong running game. I do believe it is a good strategy except that there is no depth.

During the Chiefs game on the first series when the Chiefs ran 20 straight running plays GB was moving all the Dlineman in and out.I do wonder if....
It was a great test for the defense , it was 90 plus dgrees and Hillis and Charles were pretty much gashing GB's defense.

All the lineman got some good work that series , sure there were some missed gaps etc. By the time they got Merling in the game the Chiefs were in GB territory. No it was not Merling alone that stopped the opponent.

Merling came in and did his job so others could do their's. Later in the game Merling was lining up at NT and holding down the middle of the field. That was the first time that I have seen Merling at NT all preseason. Next day Muir is cut.

I managed to collect a few comments and a few links on the 49ers over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to present them as well as Titmfatied does, but you'll manage

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49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can’t say enough about the widely unsung value of DT Ray McDonald. “He is a big, big piece in our defense, both in run and pass defense,” Fangio said. “He plays the run and rushes the passer extremely well for us from the inside position. I think he improved as the season wore on last year. He was a guy that was one of the most pleasant surprises for us, in that I knew he was a good player, but I think he played his best last year, and (head coach) Jim (Harbaugh) would tell you that, too.”

http://www.grantland.com/blog/...9ers-offense-in-2012


http://www.profootballweekly.c...ing-as-nasty-as-ever


http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwes...confidential-49ers-2


It would appear the 49ers’ backfield dodged a few bullets in the preseason loss to the Texans, with neither of the injuries suffered by RBs Brandon Jacobs (knee) and rookie LaMichael James (ankle) seeming to be as serious as they first looked when both backs were carried off the field. The early word is that James should get back on the practice field early this week, but Jacobs could be a long shot for the regular-season opener.


One creative offensive wrinkle we hear the 49ers might employ on occasion this season is an option package showcasing the legs of second-year QB Colin Kaepernick, who had a couple of perimeter runs after read-option fakes to rookie RB LaMichael James that were real eye-openers this preseason.


The Forty Niners led the league with 52 field goal attempts, versus 38 extra-point attempts -- which means drives stalled. San Francisco's 18 more field goal attempts than touchdowns was tops in the NFL on this metric; league-wide, last season teams averaged 39 touchdowns scored and 32 field goals attempted. Three-point plays are not chopped liver, but if the Squared Sevens want to take the next step, they need to put the ball into the end zone.

San Francisco opens at Lambeau Field, not good news considering the Forty Niners are on a 1-13 streak versus the Packers, including eight consecutive Lambeau losses. Over the course of the regular season the Niners face Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Matt Stafford -- the five top yardage passers of 2011. San Francisco will play nationally televised contests on all five networks that air the NFL, so no more San Francisco complaining about lack of exposure. And the Niners have three 2012 games that kick off at 10 a.m. to their body clocks

This year's wide receiver corps includes the me-first Randy Moss, the me-first Michael Crabtree, me-first top draft choice A.J. Jenkins and Mario Manningham, who left the Giants because he wasn't getting the ball enough. What could possibly go wrong?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/preview12/team/_/name/sf


http://www.profootballweekly.c...re-value-for-49ers-d


Go Packers

quote:

This year's wide receiver corps includes the me-first Randy Moss, the me-first Michael Crabtree, me-first top draft choice A.J. Jenkins and Mario Manningham, who left the Giants because he wasn't getting the ball enough. What could possibly go wrong?

Love it. Feed these guys and take touches away from Gore and Vernon Davis. That's the ticket!

I won't be surprised if Moss re-retires by Week 8, especially with those guys around him.

quote:

Originally posted by Satori:
San Francisco opens at Lambeau Field, not good news considering the Forty Niners are on a 1-13 streak versus the Packers

I get nervous every time the Packers are in a game like this. The 49ers haven't legitimately beaten the Packers since 1990 (we all remember that Jerry Rice fumbled on that drive). Streaks like this one and Detroit's 21 game losing streak in Wisconsin can't go on forever.

I hate when the media repeatedly brings up streaks. They mean absolutely nothing as rosters change quite a bit from year to year.

They have plenty of guys on their roster right now who have lost two games at Lambeau ('09 and '10), and even the guys who weren't on the roster will get excited about the challenge (trying to do what Jerry Rice, Steve Young etc couldn't do).

I'm glad it's at Lambeau, and that we have more depth on D this year. We're going to need it.

Tough matchup.

The NFC is loaded this year, and there's a good chance we'll see them again in January.

I still like the Packers in this one but it might be their toughest test of the season with the exception of the road game in Houston. Still, I like the fact they will get tested early in the season.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach:

Tough matchup.

On many levels

And GB will face a couple of jitterbugs this year too, including La Michael James with 9ers, Sproles with Saints and KR/PR Trindon Holliday with the Texans

Here is PFW's take on the matchup -

http://www.profootballweekly.c...rse-49ers-vs-packers

Sorry didn't see this one. Agree on many posts here. Jarrett Bush worries me if he's the starter. Then again, I could say that with just about any team he faces.

This is the best team to start Bush in, because he is such a good tackle and the niners run the ball so much.

Vernon Davis has owned our Lbs and safeties in the past. Put Charles on him.

They'll make the playoffs if they beat us in Lambeau and even not.

But they wont.

I absolutely agree that the 49ers appear to have a very very good ball club. I just viewed this matchup in the light of the opening 53 and found it odd that Merling was kept and Muir not. Then there was Teds cryptic comment about the wheel turning round and round implying Nuir would be back.

We shall see how the game plays out but I think Gb is planning on trying get them out of slow ball, mybe San Fran is going to oblige them and try and throw the ball all over the place!

Like Boris, I thnk if GB were to get an early 10-14 point lead it could be a long day for the 9ers. Conversely if San Fran gets a 10 point halftime advantage and are running the ball effectively my Krytal Weizen will not tatse so good after the game
Pack88

Need to correct what killed GB aganst the Giants.

Pass protect, don't drop passes. And win the turnover battle.

I'd be surprised if GB loses this year at home. Bears, N.O., 49ers, Lions. They will all fall in Lambeau. I'm expecting GB to score 24 to 28 points in Game 1.

As long as they score more than the 49'ers I'll be happy

One good season in a decade, and now suddenly the Whiners are fear-worthy?

We're going to win this game, and it won't even be that close.

F Harbaugh.

Your offense is too powerful for them. Davis is going to get his catches, contain Gore and pressure Smith and it's a done deal.

Beat the whiners!

All I gots to say is that the Packers better win this game; otherwise, it'll be a week of hell for me in NoCal!!!! I will never hear the end of it! Go Pack!!!

it's in the air. I feel it here in Shawano and they're feeling it over in GB.
Feel the power!

http://espnmilwaukee.com/corp/...building/2351?feed=2

quote:

“Oh man, I’m so excited for this game,” said Pickett, who’s entering his 12th NFL season and seventh with the Packers. “This is an exciting game. How can you not be excited?”

quote:

“There’s no better place to start as there is in Lambeau Field,” McCarthy said. “It’ll be a great environment, an afternoon game, (and) an excellent team in San Francisco coming in here, so we’re all looking forward to it.”

quote:

“As far as just jumping out there in front of Lambeau, I’m going to be excited,” rookie defensive lineman Jerel Worthy said. “I know the guys in here are going to be excited for the first time being out there. Due to the fact that we’ve had these crazy fans here since the Family Night scrimmage, it’s always going to be electrifying out there, so I’m just ready to get it going.”

quote:

For Pickett, though, it all goes back to the simple excitement of playing football at Lambeau Field, and in Green Bay.

“It’s probably the most exciting place to play football,” Pickett said. “To open up at Lambeau Field, prime time game, it’s exciting. It’s hard to explain. Everybody’s been talking about it, all the players in the morning. We just can’t wait to play this game.”

from packers.com

Info on the alumni weekend

"Members of the 1982 team scheduled to be in attendance include Rich Campbell, Allan Clark, Paul Coffman, George Cumby, Lynn Dickey, Gerry Ellis, Phillip Epps, Johnnie Gray, Leotis Harris, Maurice Harvey, Harlan Huckleby, Eddie Lee Ivery, Ezra Johnson. Terry Jones, Greg Koch, Larry McCarren, Casey Merrill, Mark Merrill, Del Rodgers, Randy Scott, Ray Stachowicz, Jan Stenerud, Tim Stokes, Karl Swanke, David Whitehurst, Rich Wingo and 1982 head coach Bart Starr.

Also, two alumni, Lynn Dickey and Jan Stenerud, are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations, per home game custom."

That's awesome the 1982 Packers will be there. In '82 in their opening game, they got down 23-0 to the Rams at halftime. They won the game 35-23 on their march towards a division title. Hopefully the 2012 Pack won't have quite that far to come back from if Frisco grabs a lead.

Dont't turn the ball over. Haven't seen this version of the Packers ever beat themselves. Knock, knock, knock, knock.

quote:

Originally posted by PackFoo:
One good season in a decade, and now suddenly the Whiners are fear-worthy?

The line opened at Packers minus 6.5 and its now down to Packers minus 4.5 in several places. They are really fluffing the 49ers in the media and its working...the money is rolling in on SF

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

Niners have a ridiculous front 7 but look at the teams they played last year. Whenever they squared off against elite/top tier passing attacks, they didn't really stop them. Saints, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants all put up 23+ points on them. Vick passed for over 400 yards against them

If the Pack can slow down their rush, Rodgers and the passing game should be able to move the ball. Niners really struggled in the red zone last year as well. Last year's Pack D was very good in the red zone, I believe

This will be a lot like whenever they play the Falcons(or at least when they played them the last few years). Falcons will try to control the clock and the TOP by having long drives and not having any turnovers. Do what they can to keep the Packers offense off the field for as long as possible.

Good write up from Football Outsiders

Some comments on Finley vs ILBs

Some comments/film on how the 49ers Justin Smith likes to hold the OL by the jersey, opening up a lane for Aldon Smith to rush the QB

http://www.footballoutsiders.c...-room-packers-niners

Play Clay Mathews on offense, can block that 49ers scarey guy.

71 degrees and humid against San Fransisckoi.

quote:

Originally Posted by Boris:
The Niners are in deep doo doo if the Packers get out to a big lead.

Completely agree. If the Packers put points up early and can get out to a lead it'll be hard for the 49ers to catch up. Their offense is not built for that kind of game. Their offensive line is a solid run blocking unit, but not very good in pass protection. If Matthews and Perry can pin their ears back it would definitely cause problems for the niners offense.

Scoring points early and often agains the niners defense is a different story.

Still waiting for the real Alex Smith to stand up and throw 3 picks.

The 49ers offense doesn't really scare me. Alex Smith had a nice year last year, but mostly he never had to do anything special. Like it was mentioned before, the Packers need to score points and that should take care of the game. The 49ers rely too much on running the ball and executing a slow paced offensive style. If the Packers play fast and score fast, that should do it.

In alexs defense he did some special things vs. The saints in the playoff game. Who knows? Alex may be this generations version of Troy Aikman. Nothing in the regular season but play well in the playoffs