Let’s take a look at the San Francisco 49ers’ possible playoff opponents, starting with the longest, the Green Bay Packers.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
In a week, we’ll discuss whether the 49ers will face the Packers or the Rams. If both home teams win on Sunday, the winner of Philadelphia and Tampa Bay will travel to Santa Clara.
Each day this week we will provide a “two-minute” breakdown of the Niners’ potential divisional round opponent. Let’s start with the farthest Green Bay, coming up against the Dallas Cowboys.
Questions answered by a quarterback
When the season started, Brock Purdy and Jordan Love faced a lot of questions. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t sold on Love halfway through the season.
Purdy tore his UCL in last year’s NFC Championship game and required surgery, which some believe will keep him out until September, if not Week 1.
Purdy just completed the most yards per attempt in an NFL season since 2000. Purdy finished first or second among quarterbacks in completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and quarterback rating.
But Purdy helped increase the 49ers attack, had his ability to make structural plays and attack the center of the field and the deep part. Niners weren’t known for scoring 40 times a game, but when they did, Purdy was ruthlessly efficient. The
Love made a stretch of seven games, where he went 2: 5 and threw ten touchdowns in ten cuts. It’s not uncommon for the first year to start out of the gate. But Love’s performance in the last eight games has been remarkable.
He led the Packers to a 6-2 record, with Love throwing for 20 touchdowns and turning the ball over just four times. His quarterback rating went from 72.5 to 112.7 through seven games.
The numbers don’t do either quarterback justice for their second half performances. Both quarterbacks excelled on third downs and fumbles so the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Based on play this season, both quarterbacks should be around a long, long time.
Why the 49ers Will Face the Packers in the Sectional Round
Mike McCarthy. There are endless examples of McCarthy taking his foot off the gas, mismanaging the clock, or doing something unforgivable that costs his team the game. While Dallas did the right thing, like going fourth, they never felt like they had a plan.
Cowboys need more imagination on both sides of the ball. You know Dan Quinn’s defense is playing some type of coverage. The same can be said of McCarthy’s offense. If Green Bay is upset, it will be because Love stepped up in his playoff debut and the Packers’ defense is forcing the Cowboys to settle for field goals in a game that looks closer to what we saw in Week 17 between Dallas and Dallas. Detroit.
Dallas is a different animal at home. They destroyed their opponents on a 16-game winning streak. Prior to the Week 17 Lions game, the Cowboys had scored at least 30 points in every home game.
Love is a great story and certainly has a successful career, but he is a first year quarterback making his playoff debut.
The Cowboys led 28-14 against the Packers in November 2022 before losing 31-28 at Lambeau Field. CeeDee Lamb had 11 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns in that game. I tend to believe that a team that scores two touchdowns in the second half on the road won’t blow a lead at home.
This Green Bay defense also ranked 27th in DVOA (Schedule Efficiency) despite going against the sixth easiest offensive schedule. They let the Carolina Panthers score 30 points three weeks ago. Carolina has zero points in its last two games.
The Packers are a great story sneaking into the playoffs behind a young quarterback, but we’re just weeks away from back-to-back losses and had a 25 percent chance of making the playoffs.
When the Cowboys compete, they easily destroy the Packers..
