The 49ers play the Packers Saturday at the Stick. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups.
Frank Gore vs. the Packers run defense
Frank Gore has slowed down big time since Week 7 this season. Before that game he was averaging roughly six yards per carry. Since that game, he’s slower, less explosive and averaging fewer than four yards per carry.
But Gore is going to have a huge game against the Packers, who gave up an average of 118.5 rushing yards per game this season.
Green Bay’s defense managed to hold Adrian Peterson to 99 rushing yards last Saturday, but the Vikings didn’t have a quarterback who could throw. The Packers could tee off on the Vikings’ run game because Green Bay didn’t respect Minnesota’s passing attack.
The 49ers have a respectable passing attack. The threat of Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker and Colin Kaepernick is enough to make the Packers play honest defense. Gore will have more than enough room to gain 100 yards for the first time since Week 7.
Advantage: 49ers
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As Grant pointed out, AP ran for 99 yards on 22 carries last week against the Packers. That’s 4.5 yards/carry and it’s pretty impressive given that he was the main target of the Packer D. Vikings QB, J Webb, ran for 68 yards on 7 carries (nearly 10 yards a pop). Not only will Gore have a big game, look for CK7 to put up big numbers on the ground as well.
Against physical teams, GB has struggled. Here are rushing yards given up by Green Bay – to what I consider – physical teams:
SF: Gore 112 yards, Hunter 41 yards , CK7 17 yards
Seattle: Lynch 98 yards, Wilson 18 yards
Rams: Jackson 57 yards, Richardson 36 yards
Giants: Brown 64 yards, Bradshaw 58 yards
Advantage 49ers
I agree, Gore has a big game, but maybe not so much in yardage as making key runs. And I think this may be the game we’ll see LMJ rip off a big run from scrimmage along with some nice returns on ST. Probably no 50 yarders from Kaepernick, but several that keep drives alive. I think the 49ers are going to have a lot of total rushing yards between the three of them.
I see the 49ers having a big game. I am sure the Packs will be trying to figure us up to the 4th quater and then it will be time to punish them with Gore.
CK7 is lame. Just call him CK or Kaep if his whole last name is too difficult for you to type each time.
Que?
If the niners run at will against the Pack, the game is over. The Pack D will be worn out in the 2nd half.
I like LMJ and Kaepurnicus and Gore to combine for 200 plus rushing yards.