NFL Playoff 2024 Predictions: San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers- Starting Lineups, Head-to-Head, Key Matchups, Final Score

The Packers and the 49ers are gearing up for a high-octane game. And you know what makes an NFL game especially more fun to watch? The teams have a long-standing rivalry. And the Packers and 49ers sure do! They have gone head-to-head a whopping 72 times! Both being from the NFC have always tried to one-up the other.

The 49ers may have clinched a No. 1 seed this season, but they are actually behind the Packers. The Packers have won 38 times. And the 49ers? Five games less at 33. They have also tied once. However, which NFL team does the crystal ball say will win the game on Saturday?

Starting lineup: mostly intact for both teams

Supporters of both teams can rest easy. No big names on the injury report. For the 49ers, DE Clelin Ferrell has been listed as questionable. Starting LB, Dre Greenlaw is suffering from a torn Achilles, but his is not as serious as Packers’ former QB’s. Over at the Packers camp, RB AJ Dillon and CB Jaire Alexander are doubtful. What injuries are they dealing with? Thumb and neck for Dillon, and shoulder and ankle for Alexander.

So will there be any head-to-head clashes to look out for? Not directly. But the same position players from both NFL teams will be looking to best the other. Who will score more field goals and extra points: Packers’ Anders Carlson or 49ers’ Jake Moody? This is the major question that will spice up the game.

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Any key matchups? The Niners O-Line will have to shut down the Packers’ pass rushers if they are to win the game. They won’t have Trent Williams this year to bump up their pass-blocking grade. And that could be a major issue. Purdy folds under pressure. Plus, the Packers have the 6th highest pressure rate in the league. Is there trouble brewing for Purdy?

Brock Purdy and Co. could clinch a difficult victory

The 49ers didn’t clinch a No. 1 seed for nothing. Their offensive DVOA and defensive DVOA rank 1st and 4th in the league, respectively. And there’s one more startling fact. The 49ers have lost only twice to an NFC team this season. The Packers are not to be underestimated, though. They opened their season with a 3-6 record. However, they quickly pulled up their socks and ended the remaining games with a 6-2 record. Their offensive DVOA is 4th. But it gets worse for them.

During Week 8, the NFL team made the crucial mistake of trading away CB Rasul Douglas. Now their secondary lies orphaned without their leader. He could have been the centerpiece in Joe Barry’s defensive schema, but alas. And the 49ers are going to exploit this to the fullest. Their lineup of pass catchers is mouth-watering for any team. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. And of course, we haven’t forgotten the great CMC.

Taking all these points into consideration, we’re predicting a final score of 49ers 31, Packers 27. The game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on January 20 at Levi’s Stadium, California. Let us know your views on our analysis.

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