Green Bay Packers: 3 keys to victory vs. 49ers in Week 3

Stop the run

While the 49ers’ run defense hasn’t been great in the opening two weeks, the same is true of the Packers’. Kyle Shanahan will want to run the ball early and often, dominate time of possession, and keep Aaron Rodgers off the field.

It’s time for Green Bay’s defensive line to step up and make a difference in this game. The Packers are allowing 139.5 rushing yards per game, fourth-most in the NFL. However, their run stop win rate is far better at 34 percent, ranking eighth in the league, according to ESPN.

The Packers lost big to the 49ers in both games in the 2019 season. What was a common theme in both? San Francisco ran the ball for fun. We all remember the NFC title game when the 49ers rushed for 285 yards and four touchdowns with Jimmy Garoppolo attempting just eight passes.

There is one difference this time, however. The 49ers have been hit with injuries at running back and could be without their top four choices.

Raheem Mostert is out for the remainder of the season. Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, and rookie Trey Sermon are all on the injury report this week.

Despite that, Shanahan’s offense can be dominant on the ground no matter who is at running back. It’s no secret that in the Packers’ win over the 49ers last season, they held San Francisco to 55 yards on the ground. Building an early lead helped with that.

If Green Bay’s defense can’t stop the run, forget about it.