Divisional Round: 49ers @ Packers - Saturday, January 22nd 7:15PM

[homer]

Chubb on Cleveland's first drive of the 2nd half (down 24 - 12)

 

1st & 10 at CLE 15

(9:07 - 3rd) (Shotgun) N.Chubb right guard to CLV 18 for 3 yards (T.Lancaster; P.Smith).

 

2nd & 7 at CLE 18

(8:29 - 3rd) (Shotgun) B.Mayfield pass short right to A.Hooper to CLV 23 for 5 yards (D.Campbell).

 

3rd & 2 at CLE 23

(7:46 - 3rd) (Shotgun) B.Mayfield scrambles right end ran ob at CLV 35 for 12 yards (A.Amos).

 

1st & 10 at CLE 35

(7:15 - 3rd) N.Chubb left end to CLV 40 for 5 yards (K.Barnes; D.Campbell).

 

2nd & 5 at CLE 40

(6:34 - 3rd) (Shotgun) N.Chubb left tackle to CLV 48 for 8 yards (D.Campbell).

 

1st & 10 at CLE 48

(5:57 - 3rd) N.Chubb right end to GB 39 for 13 yards (T.Galeai).

 

1st & 10 at GB 39

(5:14 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short left to A.Hooper.

 

2nd & 10 at GB 39

(5:09 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Johnson right guard to GB 31 for 8 yards (D.Campbell).

 

3rd & 2 at GB 31

(4:24 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short left to A.Janovich to GB 28 for 3 yards (K.Barnes).

 

1st & 10 at GB 28

(3:42 - 3rd) N.Chubb right tackle to GB 13 for 15 yards (D.Savage).

 

For some reason, Browns decided to throw three times on the next set of downs and had to settle for a field goal.

[adambr2]

Yeah, I don't specifically recall any RBs going off on us. Where I recall struggles this year is with running QBs. I'd be curious to know how many of the yards given up this year were attributable to mobile QBs?

 

The 49ers have such a QB, though.

 

And yes, Fields and Huntley went off on us. The only mobile QB we contained well was Kyler Murray.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Chubb on Cleveland's first drive of the 2nd half (down 24 - 12)

 

1st & 10 at CLE 15

(9:07 - 3rd) (Shotgun) N.Chubb right guard to CLV 18 for 3 yards (T.Lancaster; P.Smith).

 

2nd & 7 at CLE 18

(8:29 - 3rd) (Shotgun) B.Mayfield pass short right to A.Hooper to CLV 23 for 5 yards (D.Campbell).

 

3rd & 2 at CLE 23

(7:46 - 3rd) (Shotgun) B.Mayfield scrambles right end ran ob at CLV 35 for 12 yards (A.Amos).

 

1st & 10 at CLE 35

(7:15 - 3rd) N.Chubb left end to CLV 40 for 5 yards (K.Barnes; D.Campbell).

 

2nd & 5 at CLE 40

(6:34 - 3rd) (Shotgun) N.Chubb left tackle to CLV 48 for 8 yards (D.Campbell).

 

1st & 10 at CLE 48

(5:57 - 3rd) N.Chubb right end to GB 39 for 13 yards (T.Galeai).

 

1st & 10 at GB 39

(5:14 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short left to A.Hooper.

 

2nd & 10 at GB 39

(5:09 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Johnson right guard to GB 31 for 8 yards (D.Campbell).

 

3rd & 2 at GB 31

(4:24 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short left to A.Janovich to GB 28 for 3 yards (K.Barnes).

 

1st & 10 at GB 28

(3:42 - 3rd) N.Chubb right tackle to GB 13 for 15 yards (D.Savage).

 

For some reason, Browns decided to throw three times on the next set of downs and had to settle for a field goal.

 

It was widely discussed in Cleveland media after this game (and others) why Chubb doesn't get the ball more - Stefanski isn't the one pulling Chubb off the field and not going to him - Chubb isn't a robot and needs rest at times on the sideline. This particular drive is likely a perfect example of that after getting 5 carries along with being on the field 8 of those 10 plays either running the ball or in pass pro/route running. Chubb did wind up with 20 designed touches on the day and had a huge game - but if GB's offense does anything with their final four possessions of the game it would have been a blowout.

[Fear The Chorizo]

The 49ers have such a QB, though.

 

Lance's only positive offensive output throwing the football in a couple starts came this season against the Texans. If he is on the field for a ton of the game in passing situations where his scrambling ability presents a threat, GB's defense can make the adjustment in coverage and pass rush to force him into making throws to consistently move the chains - something Lance isn't ready to do.

 

I think Packer fans have too much PTSD with Kaepernick running roughshod over an unprepared and bad Packer defense in that 2013 divisional round in San Fran.

 

I actually think there's smoke to Jimmy G. not being close to 100% with the sprained throwing shoulder and thumb issues potentially missing Saturday's game, and even if he starts they are likely to spring Lance for a series or two trying some read option/RPO looks if Garoppolo's not effective throwing downfield in cold weather. Wouldn't surprise me to see Jimmy G start the game and Lance end up finishing it out of necessity/desperation rather than by initial design.

[CheezWizHed]

I think Packer fans have too much PTSD with Kaepernick running roughshod over an unprepared and bad Packer defense in that 2013 divisional round in San Fran.

 

I was at that game. We didn't have enough healthy LBs to even field a defense by halftime that day. I remember one of our OLB practically dragging one leg while trying to catch CK at the end.

[SeaBass]

Lance doesn't have to start or be given that many snaps to have an impact on the game. Of course, if the 49ers do use him that sparingly there is an equal chance he has zero impact.

 

I'm in the camp that believes the Packers should win but there are ways that the 49ers can too and it wouldn't really even mean there'd be a huge deviation from how SF already plays the game.

[homer]

I think Packer fans have too much PTSD with Kaepernick running roughshod over an unprepared and bad Packer defense in that 2013 divisional round in San Fran.

 

I was at that game. We didn't have enough healthy LBs to even field a defense by halftime that day. I remember one of our OLB practically dragging one leg while trying to catch CK at the end.

 

Most of my anger that day was directed at Eric Walden for crashing down on the fake and not holding the edge. I was kind of drunk at the time so I'm not sure if that was totally accurate or not but seems likely

[OldHeidelberg]

Bahktiari and MVS not practicing today.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Bahktiari and MVS not practicing today.

 

Bakhtiari's going to need another knee surgery this offseason, isn't he....call it load management all they want, best case scenario is he's got a recurring problem managing fluid going back into that knee any time he stresses it. And we're over a full calendar year from his ACL tear and repair.

 

Hoping he can manage to get on the field and be effective during this playoff run and he's also able to get himself right headed into training camp next summer over the offseason.

[OldHeidelberg]

 

Bakhtiari's going to need another knee surgery this offseason, isn't he....call it load management all they want, best case scenario is he's got a recurring problem managing fluid going back into that knee any time he stresses it. And we're over a full calendar year from his ACL tear and repair.

 

Hoping he can manage to get on the field and be effective during this playoff run and he's also able to get himself right headed into training camp next summer over the offseason.

 

It is certainly starting to feel like he really wants to get back out there but it's just not working out. We will have to see what his game status is, MVS likely out I would think.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I think Packer fans have too much PTSD with Kaepernick running roughshod over an unprepared and bad Packer defense in that 2013 divisional round in San Fran.

 

I was at that game. We didn't have enough healthy LBs to even field a defense by halftime that day. I remember one of our OLB practically dragging one leg while trying to catch CK at the end.

 

Most of my anger that day was directed at Eric Walden for crashing down on the fake and not holding the edge. I was kind of drunk at the time so I'm not sure if that was totally accurate or not but seems likely

 

I recall Shields had a pick 6 right away in that game, too - then it was a clinic on how not to defend the read option and play man coverage against a quarterback who frankly wanted to run every time he dropped back and saw the pocket instantly collapse from one side or the other. OLBs were atrocious in that game.

[OldHeidelberg]

Bahk questionable MVS doubtful

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I have a feeling Dbakh is done. At least we have practice with that.

[tmwiese55]

I was skeptical throwing Bakh into the fire with next to no reps, when generally the other guys have been doing so well. I'm still worried about DLs like STL/TB/Bosa since that's ultimately what killed them last year. But overall the OL has been great all year, so the desperation shouldn't be there. But maybe having him there as the depth/backup is still a positive over what else they have. I guess I'm just saying you don't have to start him and play him every drive. But maybe he's there as the emergency or if someone else goes down for a series or two, or maybe he has to finish the game if someone goes down. If all goes well he doesn't need to play at all.

 

ETA: with the bye before SB. If they can win these two games in a way like I said above, he'll get two weeks off before SB and basically another full month to get right. Essentially he'd have been off from Jan 2-Feb 13 if he doesn't play or barely plays these two games. Get all juiced up for the SB and then you have 6 months to recover and get ready for next year.

Edited January 20, 2022 by tmwiese55

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I have a feeling Dbakh is done. At least we have practice with that.

 

I disagree. I don't think he's done. But they have either seen something with how he played against Detroit, or how he recovered from that game, and from subsequent practices, that have caused them to be very conservative with how they are treating him right now.

 

My guess is he practices tomorrow, and tries to gut it out Saturday night. Fluid on the knee (if that's what it truly is) sucks, though. It's honestly like trying to play football with an ice bag strapped to your knee. It saps your explosion and flexibility. My guess is that fluid is building up after every time he plays or practices, so they are trying to limit that as much as possible.

[OldHeidelberg]

Alexander questionable as well, not exactly the boost we were all hoping for after the bye week. I guess we have to remember most of these guys would have been done on IR years past and hope to survive this week and maybe get more back next week. A little disappointed how this week is going but in the end 2 weeks or so ago I was hoping for just Turner and Jaire.

 

Of course the Niners injury report yesterday looked great for them, even the DL with the high ankle sprain was practicing.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I understand Alexander being questionable simply because he hasn't played at all since his shoulder injury in early fall and probably hasn't had much tackling contact in any practices he's participated in. With him I think it's not even a question of conditioning, it's whether he has to come off the field dragging his shoulder the first time he has to try and bring down a tight end short of a 1st down in a game. I'd imagine he suits up and plays, but probably in dime/nickel package scenarios that aren't as likely to be running plays where he'd be taking on blockers should he line up in the slot.

 

With Bakh, it's all about whether the knee is healthy enough to make it through a game without severely impacting Bakh's performance or swelling up so much the following day that he's back in the operating room to drain fluid - missing practice days that are glorified walk-throughs is not a good omen they are confident he can play a bunch of snaps on consecutive weeks.

[adambr2]

Warner and Bosa both good to go.

[CheezWizHed]

Most of my anger that day was directed at Eric Walden for crashing down on the fake and not holding the edge. I was kind of drunk at the time so I'm not sure if that was totally accurate or not but seems likely

 

I'm going to state that both things were likely accurate.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Warner and Bosa both good to go.

 

Of course. The Niners aren't going to let a potential brain injury stand in the way of playoff football. The Bosas are all kinda meatheads anyway, so the bar to pass the concussion protocol perhaps wasn't too difficult

[OldHeidelberg]

Niners are physical, Packers are soft. That sums up what the talking heads who are picking SF are saying. I sure hope Jones and Dillon mash them in the 4th quarter but I have to admit I am worried that soft narrative is true.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Niners are physical, Packers are soft. That sums up what the talking heads who are picking SF are saying. I sure hope Jones and Dillon mash them in the 4th quarter but I have to admit I am worried that soft narrative is true.

 

That's garbage if you look at what the Packers do offensively. Just because they actually have a quartback that can move the ball at will passing it doesn't mean the whole team is soft.

 

This will be one of those horrible hot takes that get no pushback after the game when GB winds up with more rushing yards for the game than the 49ers.

[TURBO]

As a fan of another team, it's entertaining to read this page. It looks just like the Bucs page, but rather than the Rams, it's the 9ers.

 

Funny how that happens.

 

We have the eternal optimists, and the constant pessimists too.

 

It's probably the same on every fan page out ther.

[OldHeidelberg]

That's garbage if you look at what the Packers do offensively. Just because they actually have a quartback that can move the ball at will passing it doesn't mean the whole team is soft.

 

This will be one of those horrible hot takes that get no pushback after the game when GB winds up with more rushing yards for the game than the 49ers.

 

The same NFLN show that prompted my post actually had a segment a little later where they said just what you did, that teams with elite QB's get unfairly labeled as finesse teams. But I wonder if having the Qb changes how you build the team, we do seem to build our oline in the middle rounds and focus on versatile guys who can pass block first. We value CB's and edge rushers on defense with stopping the pass in mind as we assume teams will have to pass to keep up with us. I can't remember how many first round lineman on both sides of the ball the Niners had 2 years ago but it was a lot.

[Fear The Chorizo]

With the exception of Bakh, who basically hasn't played all season and may not play Saturday, I think the current Packers O-line are all better and more physical run blockers than pass blockers. Not to say they stink at pass blocking, just that they are physical in the trenches. The interior of the Packers' line has a nasty streak about them. That extends to TE's (Lewis in particular) and WRs.

 

Defensively might be a different story as an entire unit - guys like Amos and Savage aren't considered physical safeties and even Campbell isn't really a MLB thumper - but I don't think anyone can say guys like Clark, Gary, and P. Smith aren't physical at the point of attack