3 Unfavorable Matchups for the Packers in NFC Championship Game vs 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers squaring off against the Green Bay Packers...does mid-January pigskin get any better than this? Indeed, the two NFC powerhouses will meet on Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

The Pack will enter this game as 7.5-point underdogs, with few giving them a chance to pull off an upset after a shellacking at SF just a few short weeks back. Unfortunately for them, they have several unfavorable matchups in front of them, which they'll need to overcome to pull off Aaron Rodgers' vision of vengeance.

3. Green Bay's Patchwork OL vs San Francisco's Pass Rush

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa looks to make a play against the Packers. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

If you've followed the 49ers this season, you know their defense has been sensational. In the trenches, their efforts are led by former Ohio State star Nick Bosa, who has been an absolute monster against opposing linemen in 2019-20. He's posted 32 solo tackles and nine sacks this year, and will look to impressively add to that tally this weekend. With Bryan Bulaga, Alex Light and others up front dinged up/recovering from illnesses for the Pack, SF could feast on Rodgers in this one. Can Jared Veldheer heroically get back up off the couch and fight a second time?

2. CB Richard Sherman Lining Up Against WR Davante Adams

San Francisco 49ers CB Richard Sherman makes a tackle on Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Davante Adams is one of the best receivers in the game; he proved that much against Seattle last weekend. He hauled in eight receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the Divisional Round win, open on nearly 65% of his targets. However, the last time he faced the 49ers, he was held to seven receptions for 43 yards. When he was lined up against Richard Sherman, he had two targets and one reception for seven yards. After his convincing showing against the Vikings, which included an interception of Kirk Cousins, Sherm now has his sights on stopping Adams. Advantage SF.

1. Robert Saleh vs. Matt LaFleur

San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh will hope to keep the Packers quiet once again. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

In the Week 12 meeting between these two organizations, the 49ers cruised to a 37-8 victory. A statement was made here, as Robert Saleh's defense completely owned Matt LaFleur's offense, and made Aaron Rodgers look like he belonged back in the Bay playing for the Cal Golden Bears. Saleh was wise enough to make adjustments from start to finish, while reminding the world LaFleur is still a first-year head coach. Few people have had success putting up big numbers against the 49ers. In front of a packed house in Santa Clara this weekend, it'll be hard for LaFleur and Co. to change that narrative.