Packers: Five players to watch vs. 49ers in Week 6
By Jesse Fry
1. Defense
With the 49ers banged up at just about every position on offense, this is a game the defense should be able to have their way. Star rookie Dante Pettis has been ruled out with Breida, George Kittle and Pierre Garcon all listed as questionable.
While Beathard has played well, he still has been turnover prone, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns. The 49ers as a team are last in the league with a minus-8 turnover differential. There will be chances for the defense to change the game.
Against the Lions the defense was put in difficult situations due to turnovers leading to short fields. Three of the Lions’ scoring possessions netted only 39 total yards. The Packers would like to switch that scenario this week and give their offense a shorter field to work with.
Beathard has only two games of starting experience. Mike Pettine has a chance to confuse and unravel him the same way he did to Bills rookie QB Josh Allen. Disguising coverages pre-snap and exotic blitzes will put Beathard in uncomfortable situations that should lead to positive results.
If Green Bay wins the turnover battle I think this could be a bigger win than the 22-0 shutout against Buffalo.