Five Things, Plus an Ace in the Hole and a Wildcard

            On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Green Bay Packers to determine who will be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.  While the 49ers demolished Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Levi Stadium during the regular season, both teams are expecting a more well fought game this time around.  Here are the five things I think the 49ers will need to do in order to come out of the game with a win, what or who the ace in the hole will be, and what will be the wildcard for the game.

1.         Establish their will in the run game.

The 49ers won the game against the Vikings in the second round of the playoffs largely because RB Coleman ran through the Vikings defense like it was made of butter.  This type of game plan could come in handy against a Packers defense which finished the regular season allowing a little over 120 yards on the ground.  If the 49ers can pound the ball on the ground at a decent clip, it will open up the passing game and force the Packers choose what to defend.  Of course, none of this will matter if the 49ers fail to…

2.         Eliminate the turnovers.

QB Garoppolo.  WR Bourne.  WR Samuel.  RB Bredia.  What is the one thing each player has in common within this group?  If you answered they have caused some ugly turnovers or fumbles during the season and playoffs, then give yourself a pat on the back or whatever reward you see fit.  Each player has dealt with losing the ball at one point or another, and that could be an issue against an opponent who finished with a +12-turnover ratio.  In order for the 49ers to win the game, Garoppolo must avoid the bad interception, Staley and the rest of the offensive linesmen must keep Garoppolo on his feet, and the pass catchers and runners have to hold onto the ball like it was a precious gem.  Otherwise, it may be a long and tiring day for the defense.

3.         Stop the pass rush.

            One of the main reasons the 49ers laid a whooping upon the Packers in the regular season is because they managed to make the pass rush of the Packers ineffective.  (Well, except during the first half where LT Skule was being schooled, but I digress.)  That is because Shanahan replaced Skule at LT with Brunskill, thus allowing Garoppolo more time in the passing game and to finish with a 253 yards/2 TDs stat line.  Still, the Packers finished the game with three sacks under their belt, so they may believe they repeat their previous performance or even do better than it.  It is up to the guys protecting Garoppolo to make sure that does not happen.

4.         Keep Rodgers uncomfortable.

When the 49ers last met the Packers, the defensive line made the night one for Rodgers to forget.  And who could blame him?  After all, he was under continuous pressure all night which resulted in him getting sacked five times and fumbling the football.  As a result, Rodgers finished the night game passing for barely over 100 yards and the worst statistical night of his career.  And this was with the 49ers dealing with injuries to key playmakers on the defense that night.    I can guarantee that a healthy line of starters on the 49ers defense are licking their chops at the prospect of making Rodgers uncomfortable again in the game on Sunday.  If the unit succeeds in doing so, the 49ers will win the game.

5.         Play smart.

            This applies to everyone on the coaching staff and on the field.  Shanahan cannot afford to get too cute with the play-calling, Saleh needs to adjust quickly when the opponent throws him a new wrinkle, Garoppolo must avoid the bad throws, and dumb penalties should be occurring as often as the Buffalo Bills have won a Super Bowl title.

Ace in the Hole:  Keep an eye on WR Richie James in this game.  The 49ers have not utilized him very much on offense this season because he is a below average run blocker, but he has shown the ability to be a difference maker in the passing game when given the chance. 

Wildcard:  Some would say the wildcard for the game is how well Moseley plays opposite Sherman, and others may say the effectiveness of Ford.  Still, others might point to Garoppolo or Bredia as the wildcard.  But I am going to go with SS Tartt as the wildcard for Sunday’s game.  Why?  When he has been healthy and starting for the 49ers, the defense has performed better against the pass, but more importantly against the run.  On a defense that can be susceptible to the run going up against an offense which averaged 112.2 yards per game during the regular season, his importance cannot be ignored. 

Prediction:  49ers 32

                    Packers 21

*Stats from nfl.com and espn.com

-MidWestDynasty