What is up with San Fran this year?
A lot of injuries. A lot of missed opportunities. A lot of tough losses. And still a heckuva lotta talent. Don’t get too comfy after all the injury updates Friday because this has the makings of a four-quarter slobberknocker.
It looks like Brock Purdy will not play on Sunday. How does this affect the defensive game plan?
It doesn’t change anything. No different than San Francisco’s defense without Nick Bosa. The Packers must be prepared for the 49ers’ best punch. Kyle Shanahan will have his guys ready and the Packers’ defense still must deal with Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. With Brandon Allen geting the call, he’s a veteran who knows the offense. Coincidentally, Matt LaFleur knows him, too, after the two worked together in Los Angeles in 2017.
The 49ers won’t go down easy. To me, they have the best running back duo in the league, and for a team that doesn’t stop the run and lately haven’t applied much pressure to the QB and not creating turnovers, this is going to be a tough one. I expect Purdy to play and with no pressure he’s a high-completion passer. With the over-under 47½, I’m taking the over since I don’t think the Pack can stop SF. I expect Pack’s offense to have their best showing of the season regardless of who plays for SF.
LaFleur sent the right message to his team earlier this week when he said the Packers fully anticipate Purdy playing. Whether Purdy was to be out there or not, the Packers’ focus needs to be centered on correcting their mistakes from last week and channeling it towards playing a more complete game.
For two teams with realistic Super Bowl aspirations, this game will be close and could go either way. But the Packers should prevail. Reasons to believe: 1) Health. While both teams have injury issues, the Niners have Purdy, Bosa and Williams as potentially out. Yikes. 2) November football at Lambeau. ‘Nuff said. 3) Winning the close ones has become a thing for this team. As this young team continues to gel, they are learning how to perform during crunch time. 4) Christian Watson. GPG!
This will be a massive undertaking for the 49ers. It’s always going to be tough sledding when you rule out six players and wait on whether two of your starting offensive linemen will be available. That’s San Fran’s problem, though. Green Bay needs to play its game with its roster.
Dominic from Chesapeake, VA
Wes, I’m posting today one day after having my right hip replaced. They had me walking as soon as I could wiggle my toes – amazing! A Packers victory on Sunday will certainly aid in my healing process. I really want to see Christian Watson continue his stellar play. Your comment about him and Jordy earlier in the week made me envision Jordan Love behind center, faking the run to Josh Jacobs and hitting Christian at full speed on a post. Along with a win on Sunday, wouldn’t that make your day?
First, Spoff and I both wish you a full recovery. Watson is not only a locker-room leader but also a centerpiece of this offense. Getting No. 9 going with the downfield passing may be the key that fully unlocks this offense in the second half. Watson won’t have 150 receiving yards every week, but the threat he poses enhances possibilities for himself and this offense.
Just wondering why a WR with the abilities of Christian Watson has been targeted so rarely. With the season more than half over, he has only 20 receptions on 31 targets. And he has zero drops. I realize Love has been injured and out several games, and the Pack has a good stable of receivers, and CW can block well, but still feel his outstanding strengths have been underutilized. We need his home-run abilities.
It’s a fair question I haven’t quite figured out myself. Watson can run the route tree. We saw last year against Kansas City he can win as a possession receiver. Jason Vrable said the same when addressing the media Thursday. Vrable discussed how there have been a few instances this year where Watson has been open by three or four yards, but the ball didn’t go his way. That’s football. Just gotta stay patient and keep winning your one-on-ones. Watson will.
Kenton from Rochester, MN
Educate me here, please. I’ve noticed that in the first 3/4 of the game, facing a third-and-“forever,” most offenses just surrender and dial up an easy play like a quick slant or bubble screen that’s probably going to gain 5-10 yards, but no way is going to make the line to gain. Why not at least try to throw something downfield that has at least a chance? Even if it doesn’t connect maybe you get a PI or some other defensive foul. To just give up seems pointless. Is it analytics?
It depends on the game situation. The checkdowns to which you’re referring are when an offense is trying to gain yards back to help flip field position. Converting on third-and-10-plus isn’t a high-percentage proposition. While it’s possible to draw a defensive penalty, it’s more likely you take a negative yardage play on long, developing routes or turn the ball over.
“This season will have plenty of time and downs left after Sunday, regardless of the outcome.” And based upon the fact that the calendar reads Nov. 22, I think it’s safe to say the coming of our collective December friend is highly likely. Here’s hoping just some level of the environmental conditions seen on Thursday night make their way to Lambeau for the two games this week.
The Packers must own whatever the conditions are, but one undisputed factor working in the Packers’ favor is both San Francisco and Miami are making long road trips – and on a short week in the Dolphins’ case. That ain’t nothing.
