Yes. If the D can restrict the run it will force the 49ers out of their game plan and tilt it towards the biggest relative weakness. Without the run, Jimmy G is more of an issue than his stats suggest.

You mentioned that Z-Smith is good at holding the edge? He sure didn't in the 2019 NFC championship game ( and other games). Hope all of our OLBs are disciplined for this game. Stopping SFs running game is my only concern regarding this game (well, and Special teams)

If our offense scores on our possessions, SF will be forced to try to pass to keep up. If we don’t put points on the board, or we turn it over, then SF can stay on the ground. That’s what they’d like.

I continue to see this as simply as 12, 33 and 28, and 17. That’s 80% of our offense. For three years they’ve been good at protecting the ball and scoring points, except in our playoff losses. We will win or lose based on their play

Some guys will play well, and some won’t, and we’ll make mistakes, but it’ll be the Big 7 on offense that wins or loses this game, Rodgers, Jones, Adams, Dillon, Lazard, Lewis, MVS.

I can see the 9ers run game being very effective because we lack speed on the outside and have all year. Garys ass is wider then my snow shovel now and he really never possessed great speed to begin with.
One analyst was saying if the 9ers run game is effective it keeps Rodgers on the bench and may costs him two series where he could have done damage. I agree.
Gutt is a terrible Gm. Doesnt draft speed and when he does, that speed aint to bright (Stokes).

I'm more excited about getting WMercilus back than ZSmith. Z may create more big plays, but W is more likely to stuff the run and contain the edge, IMO.
Unfortunately, some of Z's big plays may be for the other team if he tries too hard to splash.
Stop the run. Run the ball, control the clock, take care of the ball, NET Zero on special teams and we win comfortably.
Pack 30-20. GPG!

Z is a very good player and glad to have him back, but in his time with GBP he's been much better at rushing the QB than containing the run. I'm looking for the other OLB & DL to do that more than him.

I'm glad we're playing this team, because it almost serves as a report card as to how well the Packers organization has addressed the defensive weaknesses, particularly inside in this case, from a couple of seasons ago.

SF has to look no further than the film from Christmas day vs. the Browns for a blueprint on how to succeed against the Packers defense and control the clock.

I'm sure Samuel will have an impact, but if we can do a reasonably good job on Mitchell and keep Kittle (he hasn't been much of a receiving factor lately, but certainly don't fall asleep on him!) under control, that will keep Rodgers on the field marching our way toward points.

The SF run defense has been very stingy since moving Armstead inside; so expect some tough sledding there. We'll probably need to beat them through the air. This may be a game where Cobb really comes in handy.

Despite the fact that this game looks like a tough match-up on paper, I think we'll be ready for business for four quarters.

Offensively we need to have Jones earn his contract. Big contracts need to be packaged with big games. He has been hurt and slowed a bit this year but last game broke off a few 20+ yarders. We need him to take it to the house either on a screen or a run. Then we can have Dillon hurt them up the middle pounding the ball at - 5 F - that has got to hurt. And 12 needs to hit those short quick passes to guys other than Adams if he is doubled. Lazard and Cobb will be key to keep the drives going and and shortening 3rd down.
Defensively we need to stay in our lanes and not have any loafs. That is especially going to be important with both MItchell ( on draws ) and Samual on sweeps and cut backs. Going to wide around the end will allow those two to get to the linebackers too quickly. I also hate it when we drop too deep too fast with the linebackers and allow those guys like Aiyuk and Kittle to catch the ball uncontested - they always get the first down as their YAK and moves are just too much for our linebackers.

If the Packers let the 49 ers push them around Saturday night and beat them then this Packers team is a fraud , the Packers need to decimate the 49 ers for coming into Lambeau , no close score ,if they win a close game against the niners , season is over again in the nfccg . Super Bowl or bust .

If Garapalo can’t throw - why even play him? I would plan on T Lance and a lot of un- scouter run trickery from Shanahan. This is why I worry about the D. They have not played well against the run. I will be a bad day if the 49ers enjoy the success the Browns did on the ground or Baltimore had using the TE (Andrews). And there’s a tendency for the edge rushers of GB to lose containment. I hope this coaching staff addresses theses shortcomings. My hope is they have a few wrinkles in the game plan on defense that we haven’t seen yet. We’ll see on Saturday

Sounds simple enough, Stop the Run, Stops the 49ers! Go Pack get it done!

SF doesn't really have the weapons of a truly good offense. Mitchell is a decent RB but he's not going to break a game the way Aaron Jones can nor can he wear out a defense like AJ, and Garapolo is a completely average QB who cannot carry a team as Rodgers can.

Their success comes from an offense with both the illusion of complexity and actual complexity, and it's Deebo that makes the 49er offense go. He might not have the ball all the time, but with his versatility they can move him around and get him motion to really draw the attention of a defense because he's a real threat on every play.

For the playoffs every team has to do better, and for Shanahan this means increased misdirection. We'll see Trey Lance a lot, I suspect, and it won't just be wildcat stuff. I expect him to throw as often as run when he's in there. They've got to keep the GB defense off balance.

The key to the Packers' defense will be discipline: keep your eyes open, recognize the play, and execute your assignment. Be where you're supposed to be and don't get fooled.

Troy Aikman is a genius he said at the end of the game the team will the most points is usually the winner.

I can see SF come out fast and hot with gimmick plays and off tackle runs much like the ‘19 playoff game.
Joe Barry better have the ‘D’ sealing the edges and wrapping up on tackles… elbows up and nasty!!