Green Bay Packers 2019 opponent preview: San Francisco 49ers

For the second season in a row, the Green Bay Packers will meet the San Francisco 49ers. This time it’s on the road.

The Green Bay Packers won an entertaining game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field last year, but now the 49ers get Jimmy Garoppolo back, as well as home-field advantage.

What can we expect when these two teams renew their rivalry in 2019?

Let’s take a look at the 49ers’ offseason.

Last season

The 49ers entered the 2018 season with high expectations, but they were unlucky with injuries, losing starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the season in Week 3, and running back Jerick McKinnon before the season even started.

Believed by many analysts to be playoff contenders, San Francisco finished 4-12 with the second-worst record in the NFC.

When is the game?

The Packers will have extra time to prepare for this game as it comes the week after their bye. Green Bay visits Levi’s Stadium in Week 12, on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Offseason additions

There’s a lot to like about the 49ers’ offseason. After giving up 27.2 points per game in 2018 and finishing with just 37 sacks, San Francisco needed to strengthen its defense.

And that’s exactly what the team did, adding three former Pro Bowlers: edge rusher Dee Ford, linebacker Kwon Alexander and cornerback Jason Verrett. Ford is still only 28, Verrett 27 and Alexander 24. San Francisco then selected one of the top edge rushers in the draft class, Nick Bosa, with the second overall pick.

Offensively, the 49ers now have one of the deepest groups at running back with free-agent signing Tevin Coleman joining Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida. They also selected Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd in the second and third rounds, adding to a talented, young wide receiver corps featuring Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis.

With Jimmy Garoppolo healthy, this offense has a ton of potential. And we haven’t even mentioned George Kittle yet, who broke the record for single-season receiving yards by a tight end in 2018.

Last meeting with Packers

Oct. 15, 2018: Packers won 33-30 at Lambeau Field

Player to watch

Jimmy Garoppolo: It has to be Garoppolo. The 49ers have added so much talent on both sides of the ball, they now need the quarterback play to help this team reach its potential.

It’s incredible to think that Garoppolo only has 10 career starts, but his team has won eight of those games. In his two starts in New England, the Patriots went 2-0. He then helped the 49ers finish the 2017 season 5-0.

In his three starts last year, Garoppolo led the 49ers to victory over the Lions in Week 2, but they lost in Week 1 at Minnesota and in Week 3 at Kansas City. In those three games, Garoppolo threw for 718 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Garoppolo is the key for the 49ers to take the next step, and he will be the player to watch in this game.