Saturday of the NFL playoffs’ divisional round finishes off with a matchup between the highest and lowest seeds in the NFC: the No. 1 San Francisco 49ers hosting the No. 7 Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium.
Green Bay heads into Saturday night’s game fresh off their most dominant performance of the season. The Packers jumped out to a 27-7 lead by halftime en route to a 48-32 win thanks to a career day from running back Aaron Jones and quarterback Jordan Love. Jones’ three rushing touchdowns and Love’s three passing scores paced Green Bay to their first wild card round victory since 2016.
San Francisco sat out the wild card round thanks to securing the top seed in Week 17 of the regular season. Multiple starters had two weeks off to rest and some could be back from injuries. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead missed the final five games of the regular season but practiced in a full-time role on Thursday. After the wild card round, the 49ers are the only team remaining in the NFL playoffs with a top-three scoring offense and defense.
Though it won’t be as cold, snowy, or windy as some games this postseason, AccuWeather‘s forecast shows rain and wind gusts up to 18 mph for Levi’s Stadium this Saturday.
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2024 NFL playoffs: Predictions for Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Arizona Republic: 49ers 27, Packers 24
Jeremy Cluff writes: “Green Bay really impressed in its win against the Cowboys. San Francisco will be rested and ready for this one, however, and the 49ers’ defense will be much tougher to score on for the Packers than Dallas’ defense was. We expect a close game, but the 49ers will make a key stop late to preserve the victory.”
FOX Sports: 49ers 30, Packers 24
Eric Williams says: “San Francisco has been waiting two weeks at home to play and are heavy favorites, and will the Packers put up much of a fight? However, Green Bay is a young team with nothing to lose, led by a quarterback in Love playing his best football at the end of the season. I give Green Bay a puncher’s chance to keep the game close.”
Pickswise: Packers +9.5
Chris Farley writes: “This is a battle of 2 bright, stud coaches who have a lot of pride in their offensive creativity. They also have similar, interwoven stories that led them to their current positions — so there’s an element of added competition between the 2 lead men. Even if San Fran somehow leads by double-digits heading into the fourth quarter, how confident am I that they can hold back Love in the clutch? I’m not. This game projects to be closer than expected.”
Winners and Whiners: San Francisco 49ers -9.5
Andre Ifill says: “The Packers are playing well, but the 49ers have them beaten in almost every way. When it comes to the offenses, San Francisco has the better weapons and ball movement. San Francisco matches Green Bay’s strong ball security and pass protection. Defensively, the 49ers are better against the run, better against the pass, and force more turnovers. San Francisco also has better pass rushing. The Packers are good, but facing a better team on the road.”
PredictEm: Packers +9.5
Loot Levinson says: “[Green Bay’s] win over Dallas was impressive, but this is a different proposition altogether with a more-bankable Niners’ squad. Nevertheless, with the vulnerabilities the Niners have shown over the course of the season, along with the Packers seeming to really be hitting their groove, I think a marginally competitive game could ensue.”
