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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