3 reasons why Packers vs. 49ers could be divisional-round classic
By Parker Moes
After a very intriguing set of wild-card playoff games in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers have finally found their opponent in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers will be traveling to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers.
Here’s why this could be another postseason classic between these two teams.
Reason #1: The history in the postseason
These two teams have met a total of eight times in the postseason with the series deadlocked at four games a piece. The Packers hold a 2-1 edge at home.
Green Bay started off winning the 1996 NFC divisional round game by a score of 35-14. The next game was the 2001 NFC wild-card game, which was also won by Green Bay 25-15. Finally, the most recent home game was the 2013 NFC wild-card game, won by San Francisco 23-20.
It’s safe to say that these two teams are no strangers to one another in the postseason.
Reason #2: When healthy, both teams match up very well
These two teams, when healthy, match up very well against one another. Week 3 of the 2021 season was indicative of that as Green Bay beat San Francisco by a score of 31-28 in Santa Clara.
San Francisco likes to bleed the clock by running the ball while Green Bay mixes up both the run and the pass in order to score. Defensively, they both have proven to get after the quarterback as well as stop the run.
Reason #3: Both teams are looking for an elusive championship win
For Green Bay under Aaron Rodgers, the team had faltered so many times previously in the postseason. The team knows this is the time to capitalize on the home-field advantage.
For San Francisco, it’s looking to make its second NFC championship appearance in the last three seasons. Both teams will be looking to make an impact and the importance of a win matters immensely.
Green Bay will be looking for revenge while San Francisco will look to continue its winning streak against the Packers recently in the postseason. Something will have to give next weekend but one thing is for sure, these two teams should make for another classic postseason clash — this time on the hallowed (and frozen) grounds of Lambeau Field.