Packers set for Sunday night showdown with 49ers in Week 12

The stage is set for the Green Bay Packers’ showdown with the San Francisco 49ers this week.

The NFC’s top seed versus the second seed. Two teams with a combined 17-2 record. And now they meet on Sunday Night Football. The stage is set beautifully for the Green Bay Packers‘ showdown with the San Francisco 49ers this week.

These two teams met in an entertaining primetime contest last season at Lambeau Field. A walk-off field goal by Mason Crosby gave the Packers the victory. But so much has changed since then.

The win put Green Bay 3-2-1. The loss for San Francisco meant it fell to 1-5. Both teams failed to make the playoffs.

It’s a very different story now. Both teams are on top of their divisions and competing for the top seed in the NFC. But they also both face tough competition in the division. The Packers are only just ahead of the 8-3 Vikings, while the 49ers remain one game ahead of the 8-2 Seahawks.

The 49ers rank second in scoring offense, averaging 29.5 points per game. The Packers are ninth with 25 points per game.

Mike Pettine and his defense will look to shut down a 49ers rushing offense that ranks second in the NFL. Meanwhile, a 49ers defense that dominated early in the season but has now allowed 26 points per game over the past three weeks, will try to slow down the Packers offense featuring two potential MVP candidates in Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones.

The Packers have an opportunity to pick up a huge win in the NFC playoff race, restore their one-game lead atop the NFC North and also move into first place in the conference. For the 49ers, it’s a chance to secure a head-to-head tiebreaker over Green Bay while also moving two games ahead.

This game was flexed into primetime for a reason. It should be one of the most interesting games of the season.