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Rodgers will need a Superman-like performance to get the Packers by the 49ers in this week’s Divisional round playoff game

It’s the rematch many were hoping for after the week one meeting.  The Green Bay Packers get another shot at the San Francisco 49ers this Saturday in the Divisional playoff round.  Earlier this week, I talked about the changes between these two teams since that week one game.  Now let’s see how some of those changes along with some of the consistencies will factor in the game’s outcome as we discuss this week’s keys to the game.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has been discussed at great length this week.  Here at allbgp.com, on ESPN, on Twitter, and on every sports radio/talk show imaginable.  And all for good reason.  Rodgers has a lot of expectations placed on him this week.  His performance will single-handedly determine the fate of the 2012 Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay will have their core wide receivers all healthy this week and it’s no secret, they will try to out-man the 49ers secondary and move the chains.  If there’s a guy open for a split second, Rodgers will find him.  If he is accurate and the receivers don’t come down with a case of the dropsies, this could be the key to the fast start that the Packers absolutely need in this game.  Read more... (2127 words + 3 images, estimated 8:30 mins reading time)

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Kaepernick played very little in the first meeting between these teams. He will be a big focus of the Green Bay defense on Saturday

Some would simply look at this season’s week one matchup between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers to start breaking down this upcoming Saturday’s divisional playoff game.  But each of these teams has made a sizable change between Week 1 and now.

So what are the changes?  The 49ers have a new starting quarterback in Colin Kaepernick and the Packers have found a more productive running game.  Let’s examine each of these factors as it relates to this upcoming game.

Quarterback

This is the biggest change for San Francisco.  In the week one matchup at Green Bay, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith was the starter and he was extremely efficient.  He was 20 for 26 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.  It helped that Frank Gore added over 100 yards rushing and with Smith not under any real pressure all day.  The 49ers were able to beat the Packers for the first time since 1999 and the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

In a week 10 game against the St. Louis Rams, Smith suffered a concussion and had to leave the game.  That would be his last start and action during the 2012 season.  Smith was forced to miss the next week’s game when he was not cleared to return.  Read more... (890 words + 3 images, estimated 3:34 mins reading time)

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