5 things Packers need to fix to win rematch vs. 49ers in NFC title game

5. Start fast

The Packers couldn’t have made a worse start in the first meeting with the 49ers. On the opening possession of the game, Aaron Rodgers fumbled, giving San Francisco the ball at the Green Bay two-yard line. One play later, Tevin Coleman put the 49ers up by a touchdown.

Green Bay’s next seven drives?

Punt. Punt. Punt. Turnover on downs. Punt. Punt. Punt.

They trailed 23-0 at the half and the game was effectively over at that point. The defense held up early in the game, but with little help from the offense, things soon fell apart for Mike Pettine’s unit also.

Green Bay made a fast start against Seattle last week and will need to begin in a similar fashion this weekend. Set the tone early and put the 49ers behind in the game. The home team are the clear favorites, but if they start slowly with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the pressure will only continue to mount. Just rewatch the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Tennessee Titans last week.

In the first meeting between these teams, the Packers put themselves behind the eight ball from the opening drive and never got back into the game.