Packers: Four must-see games on 2021 regular-season schedule

2. Packers at 49ers (Week 3)

Talking of rivalries with NFC West teams, here’s another. While the Packers do have three wins over the San Francisco 49ers in their past five meetings, it’s the 49ers that seem to win when it matters the most. They’ve handed the Packers three playoff exits since 2012, including in the NFC title game a couple of years ago.

Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers fell way short of expectations last year with only six wins, but they also had awful injury luck and lost seemingly every star player on the roster at some point. When the Packers won at Levi’s Stadium, Nick Mullens was throwing passes to Richie James and Ross Dwelley for the 49ers.

Assuming San Francisco has better luck with injuries this season, it will be a completely different challenge for Green Bay. Defensively, they will have to worry about All-Pro tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The game is early in the season, but it’s possible first-round pick Trey Lance will be at quarterback for the Niners.

While a victory in Week 3 wouldn’t get the Packers even for their humiliating NFC title game defeat in 2019, it would be a statement win on the road against another contender. It could make a difference when it comes to playoff seeding down the line.