On the road again: Green Bay Packers road opponents will be a challenge

The San Francisco 49ers have eliminated the Packers from the playoffs twice in the past three years. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers

Oh, how fortunes change so quickly in the National Football League.

Two seasons ago, the 49ers were one of the top teams in the NFL, missing out on a Super Bowl championship by a couple of yards.

But last season was abysmal for San Francisco. Their coach lost interest and went to Michigan; their quarterback went from elite to questionable and their lack of success snowballed into a season where they didn’t come close to playoffs.

This offseason has been just as contentious as two of the best linebackers, Patrick Willis and rookie Chris Borland called it quits.

Their receiving corps is getting older and is suspect and they lost running back Frank Gore to free agency.

With a new coach and plenty of catch-up to do, the 49ers seem to be a team on the rebuild.

That said, going into Levi’s Stadium will be a challenge for the Green Bay Packers. When you pile on the fact that the 49ers have a four-game winning streak agains Mike McCarthy’s Packers, there should be a sense of urgency for Green Bay. In fact, the 49ers put the Packers out of the playoffs two straight seasons – a fact that doesn’t sit well with anyone in Packers Nation.

So, will Rodgers and company have the will and the way to beat the Niners on their home turf.

If there’s any time that it can be done, it’s in 2015. The time is ripe for a win on the West Coast, so McCarthy will surely have to bring a team that’s ready to play.

Prediction: Packers 31 49ers 24

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