49ers star Fred Warner praises 'phenomenal' Jordan Love ahead of Packers showdown

The Green Bay Packers have struggled in recent playoff matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, in large part due to their tough defense.

Jordan Love is playing at an MVP level and aims to end the Packers' postseason losing run against the 49ers. San Francisco has won the previous four playoff matchups, including twice in the Matt LaFleur era.

All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner played in both games. He is one of several stars in a 49ers defense that ranked third in points allowed this season. The Packers have changed a lot since their last matchup with the Niners, but San Francisco still has a dominant defense.

However, previous meetings count for nothing. And Warner is well aware of that. He had nothing but praise for Love, who he will play against for the first time in Saturday's divisional-round contest.

All-Pro Fred Warner is impressed with Jordan Love ahead of Packers-49ers playoff game

Speaking on his podcast, The Warner House, the three-time All-Pro praised Love's performance against the Cowboys.

"Jordan Love. Game of his life in his playoff debut, as the first year as the starter for the Packers. He's just been phenomenal down the stretch," said Warner. "It's going to be a huge test for us this weekend. I'm not taking him lightly. I'm not taking the Packers lightly. The Cowboys must have taken them lightly."

Wow. Warner finished by taking a jab at the Cowboys. And it's hard to blame him. The Cowboys didn't look like a team prepared to match the Packers' intensity. We shouldn't expect the same from the 49ers. They will be ready.

But Warner is impressed by the Packers' recent performances.

"Man, my hat's off to the Green Bay Packers," said Warner. "They're the youngest team in the NFL, and for them to walk into Dallas and do something like that, it's big-time for them."

The competition levels up this week. To advance to the NFC Championship Game, Green Bay must overcome the best team in the conference. Joe Barry's defense likely won't stop an elite 49ers offense, but they must limit them. One way is to force a turnover or two.

Love and the Packers' offense will need to keep pace with the 49ers. That's not an easy task against Kyle Shanahan's team, but anything is possible with Love playing at an elite level.

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