Please see post 158#
One thing going against the Packers is that it's so early in the season, their offense and passing attack isn't going to be as fluid as it would be after a few games, it's going to be a bit sluggish and that plays right onto the hands of the niners who have the best front 7 in all of football. From what I saw in the preseason games the Packers offense had a bit of rust on it that hasn't been cleared yet.
Make no mistake, the Packers will try to run but it won't work, and will turn to airing it out the rest of the game. The 49ers had a historically good rush defense last year and everyone is back on D with a full offseason with the system unlike last year, and they are going to be fresh. Defenses usually solidify before offenses do so it's likely they will have a slight leg up on the Packers O.
That said, if the Packers do hit their stride with the pass, they are capable of doing a lot of damage, Rodgers IMHO is the best passer in the NFL and so dangerous. If the 49ers had a weakness last year it was in pass defense, but it could be said that was because teams simply gave up on the run. Last year teams threw for alot of yards, but scored few points (niners missed #1 in fewest PPG allowed by .1 points to the Steelers lol). Classic bend but don't break.
As for what to look for from the niners offense, well, honestly I think most 49er fans are waiting to see what Harbaugh and Greg Roman has cooked up in the offseason with all the things they've added and their first real offseason and training camp. They also have showed nothing of what they are going to do with the first team offense in the preseason.
I really can't make a prediction on this game because every year is different and teams change, either team has a very good chance of winning and honestly I am very nervous about it, the Packers are no joke and like the 49ers, they are going to be pissed off after losing at home what they thought should be a super bowl season to the f**king 9-7 Giants. But I do know this, it's going to be a good game.
I totally agree with you and I will give the 49ers a lot of credit.
All last year I bet against them, I picked against them over and over, I watched in agony as they stopped Drew Brees from beating them after that big miraculous come back.
I will give them the most credit for one thing; this is a match up that favors them defensively no matter how good this offense is.
Against the Saints, they took away the run, and made them go totally one dimensional with the passing game. It's easy to blame Payton for going one dimensional around town but when Sproles had the ball, he was not getting it done.
I don't care how great ESPN says Benson is going to be, I'm not forgetting his fumble problems, and one thing for sure is; that defense knocked Brees around, even though he had one of the best offensive lines in the league last year.
As much as no one really wants to admit it; if this defense can knock 5 turnovers out of the Saints, I damn sure believe they can do the same here. SF don't even really need an offense, the turnovers is what won them many games last year.
People can get mad at me all they want and say this offense won't make mistakes like the Saints did, but when I see that offensive line, and no this team is not going to run the ball that much with a RB that has a fumble issue, and against a defense that totally takes away the run game, I am prepared for turnovers. How many teams played the 49ers last year and did not make a single turnover against them?
Turnovers is what is going to decide this game, and sadly that is in favor of the Niners.
I don't trust this defense, all these rookies and still looks as crappy as it did last year. Who's going to rush the quarterback? Is Frank Gore going to be rollin' and tumblin' his way to a huge stat number? Will Alex Smith look like Steve Young in a similar way that he did against the Saints horrible secondary in the playoffs?
Only time will tell, but I have faith in Rodgers, I just continue and continue to pray they actually protect him long enough to get it done. I know there will be plenty of hard hits and I don't want to see that on him.
I was essentially V-scanning a couple of 9'er fan forums just for S&G's ... seems as though the "new breed" of 9'er fan has taken over those forums. Lots of s**t talk.
Go Pack !
