Packers: Five players key to victory in Week 9 vs. 49ers

2. Packers offensive line

When the Packers played the 49ers in 2019, San Fransisco’s defense ran right through the Packers offensive line and made life miserable for Aaron Rodgers.

While many of those key players won’t suit up for this game, the scheme is still the same and the blueprint to beat the Packers is there. Blitz and get Rodgers off his spot.

The line is always important; this week is no different and possibly even more important. With an inexperienced running back next to Rodgers, the line will need to be the ones picking up the blitz and not allow four-man pressures to get through.

I don’t think this is the week the team gets David Bakhtiari back but you never know. With the lack of practice time, the team can’t get a feel for how his injury has healed or how he can play.

That means Billy Turner and Rick Wagner will have to hold down the ends for another week. Should the 49ers chose to blitz heavily the way Tampa did, the line will have to hold up long enough for Rodgers to get the ball out quickly.

Outside of run defense, the main thing that has given the Packers problems is pass protection. In the games teams have been able to get to Rodgers, the Packers have usually come out on the wrong end.

While the 49ers are missing a few big guns (Thomas and Bosa, IR) they still have a stable of athletic linebackers capable of making plays.

Teams used to fear blitzing Rodgers, now they are doing it with success. The starting five will have to be on top of their game and give Rodgers and the run game all the protection they can.