The Packers are the favorite to win Super Bowl L4, but their offense has been shut down in recent years by a dominant 49ers defense led by George Kittle. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games against the Niners and the Pack is just 1-3 at home this season.
The “packers vs 49ers history” is a matchup that can go either way. The Packers have the edge in this matchup, but it’s not by much. This game will be close and could go either way.
Tight end George Kittle will be a huge reason if the San Francisco 49ers pull off another road shock. The 49ers will be seeking to continue their recent playoff domination against the Green Bay Packers, fresh off a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Super Wild Card Weekend.
The Packers are the No. 1 seed and are finally getting healthy, which will make them difficult to defeat.
The 49ers, on the other hand, can win at Lambeau Field if Kittle has anything to say about it.
George Kittle, a tight end with the San Francisco 49ers, is one of the best in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle #85 sprints with the ball after collecting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers | Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Kittle is one of the finest tight ends in the NFL, and he’s possibly tied for first place with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
He’s difficult to stop once he’s started. Almost difficult.
He has a rare combination of size, speed, strength, and adaptability, making him a nightmare to cover downfield. He possesses the quickness to outrun linebackers and the outside size mismatch. Combine that with his incredible ability to be an outstanding blocker, something he definitely gained while playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier tight end.
Kittle concluded the regular season in 2021 with 71 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns, however he has slowed down in recent weeks.
He hasn’t scored in five consecutive games, including the Wild Card game against the Cowboys. Having said that, it doesn’t seem like head coach Kyle Shanahan is concerned. Simply having him on the field helps the offense, and he’ll get out of this funk sooner rather than later.
According to NBC Sports, Shanahan stated, “We have to do a better job of finding other ways to get him the ball, but I also know that when he attracts coverages, it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get other players in some favorable circumstances.”
Kittle’s role in the San Francisco 49ers’ victory against the Green Bay Packers
The Packers and San Francisco last met in the playoffs in the 2019 NFC Championship Game, which Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur, and the Packers won. The 49ers made a statement by winning 37-20.
They thrashed the Packers, demonstrating that they are simply too physically dominating to be handled by Green Bay. That night, the 49ers ran for 285 yards, with Raheem Mostert leading the way with 220 yards and four touchdowns.
One has to believe LaFLeur’s recollection of that game is etched in his mind, and he and defensive coordinator Joe Barry will do everything possible to stop the run on Saturday night.
The Packers aren’t renowned for stuffing the box, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did so this weekend in obvious running situations. Stopping Deebo Samuel will be crucial to the Packers’ success, and you can guarantee they’ll know exactly where he is on every play. Shanahan employs him in so many different ways, and he’s so gifted, that it’ll be difficult to stop him totally, but Green Bay will concentrate on restricting him.
With so much focus on Samuel and rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, who carried for 27 yards against the Cowboys, this game is shaping up to be crucial for Kittle.
The Packers aren’t going to forget about him. That would be treasonous behavior on Barry’s behalf. Keep in mind that the previous time these two teams met, Kittle had seven receptions for 92 yards.
With the Packers’ attention firmly fixed on the backfield, Kittle should have plenty of opportunity to leak downfield on play-action throws or even in the screen game, which Shanahan enjoys doing, particularly in the red zone.
Against Green Bay, Kittle is the 49ers’ hidden weapon.
The San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle #85 attempts to get away from the Green Bay Packers’ Adrian Amos #31 | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
It’s difficult to label an excellent tight end as a “hidden” weapon, but as previously said, Barry and the Packers would be unwise to overlook No. 85.
Kittle, on the other hand, seems to be on the verge of breaking out. Against the Cowboys, he was only targeted three times and only caught one pass for 18 yards. If he had a similar performance against Green Bay, that would be stunning. Great guys like Kittle, as Shanahan said, don’t stay down for long.
He responded, “George generally comes around.” “He’ll get his balls eventually.”
Last but not least, keep in mind that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is nursing a shoulder ailment. Shanahan only had to pass the ball eight times in the last playoff matchup, and you can bet he’ll do all he can to duplicate the feat in order to protect his wounded quarterback. If and when Garoppolo does throw, having a safety net like Kittle between the seams or on crossing routes into the flats might help him air the ball out while he’s hurt.
Kittle is a huge component for San Francisco, regardless of how you look at it.
He’ll have to be if the 49ers hope to depart Lambeau Field with a victory.
RELATED: In 49ers’ Overtime Victory, George Kittle Pays Tribut To Dwight Clark’s ‘Catch’
The “sanfrancisco 49ers” is a team that has been struggling to find their identity. George Kittle has had a huge impact on the team this season, and he will play a key role in their upcoming game against the Packers.
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