Packers run defense faces toughest test yet vs. 49ers

Fixing the run defense is one of the Green Bay Packers’ top priorities coming out of the bye week. They’ll face their toughest challenge in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers.

If the Packers are unable to slow down the 49ers’ rushing attack on Sunday night, they’ll have little to no chance of walking out as winners.

The 49ers are one of the run-heaviest teams in the NFL this season. According to TeamRankings.com, the 49ers’ passing percentage is the second-lowest in the league. They run the football 50.87 percent of the time.

And they’re successful doing so. San Francisco ranks second in the league for rushing offense, behind only the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers are averaging 149 yards per game on the ground.

That’s concerning for a Packers defense that ranks 25th against the run, allowing 126.9 yards per game.

Having an answer for a 49ers backfield featuring Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, and potentially Matt Breida if he’s healthy, will be key to winning the game.

If there’s a positive, it’s that the 49ers’ ground game hasn’t been as dominant the past three weeks in divisional matchups against the Arizona Cardinals (twice) and San Francisco 49ers. In the three games combined, the 49ers have rushed for 222 yards and no touchdowns on 77 attempts. That works out at 74 yards per game and just 2.88 yards per carry.

Green Bay’s focus will be to stop the run and put the game in the hands of Jimmy Garoppolo. However, if the 49ers have All-Pro tight end George Kittle back, it’ll make life that much harder for the Packers.

The Packers had the advantage of an extra week of preparation for this game. They’ve also had the chance to evaluate why the run defense has struggled. Now is the time to make those corrections. But it won’t be easy against one of the best rushing offenses in football.

The matchup of San Francisco’s run game against Green Bay’s run defense could decide the game.