NFC Playoffs: Instant Classic

(Originally posted on coachsspeak.weebly.com on 01/11/2013).

 

Match-ups make the best fist-fights!  A coaching colleague would always say during the week leading up to a big game.  Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will lead the the fourth-ranked scoring offense Green Bay Packers to the former-Candlestick Park to face the second-ranked  scoring defense the San Francisco 49'ers--this has the makings of an Instant Classic is in the making  for the NFC Divisional night-cap tomorrow night.   

The last time Green Bay traveled to San Francisco in the playoff Steve Young made Terrell Owens a household name in the "Catch II" Instant Classic NFC Wild Card game in 1998.

Mr. Rodgers Return to Old Neighborhood:
Rodgers, a native Northern Californian, grew up a 49'ers fan, and quarterbacked Cal-Berkley to their most successful seasons in recent memory in 2004. 




Regarded as an “elite quarterback” (I really hate that term) Rodgers won league MVP last season with 45 touchdowns against six interceptions while throwing for nearly 5,000 yards and leading the Packers to a 15-1 regular season record.  The 49’ers have to be kicking themselves for letting this guy get away.

For an encore, Rodgers passed for 38 more touchdowns this season against 11 interceptions for over 4,800 yards and is in league MVP conversations yet again.

But Rodgers is motivated to atone for his dismal performance during the Packers Week 1 30-22 loss to San Fran.

The Wild-Colin Offense:
Since 2nd year quarterback Colin Kaepernick took over the 49ers quarterbacking duties for the injured Alex Smith in mid-November, the 49er offense has added the spread-option thread and a vertical passing game to their already formidable power running attack with All-pro running back Frank Gore.

Kaepernick has passed for 10 touchdowns  against three picks for a tick over 1,800 yards since taking over the signal-calling duties, but his big-play abilities running the read option is what makes the Wild-Colin offense dangerous.  Kaepernick leads the 49ers with the longest run from scrimmage and with a 6.6. Yards per carry; and is second to Gore in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Making his first playoff start Wild-Colin will be the x-factor in San Francisco sending the Packers packing for the off-season.

Mr. Smith Goes to the Bench?:
Defensive end Justin Smith is set to return to 49er defense after missing a month with believed torn tricep.

"God willing and the creek don't rise, he's going to play," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday, via Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times.

The vaunted 49er defense has been a shell of their former selves since Smith apparently suffered the injury during the second half of their 41-34 win in Foxboro over the Patriots.

The 49ers have given up 86 points in the 10 quarters played since Smith’s injury, and pass-rush specialist Aldon Smith has not registered a sack in that time—Aldon had 19.5 sacks up to that point.

Justin Smith with one and a half arm has to be better for the Niners’ defense than no Justin Smith.

Predictions:

This game has all the making to be the best playoff game this post season.

The keys for the Niners will be how Kaepernick respond to the pressure of playing in his first playoff game and how effective is Justin Smith in his return from a tricep injury.

The Packers’ keys are can they slow down the Wild-Colin offense and Gore enough to give Rodgers to pull off a win.

Last team to have the football wins…

Packers 31-27.