Hey all!!
Niner fan here. No worries. Not here to talk crap or anything. Just perusing the forum and thought I'd say a few things.
I agree with 757Niner for the most part.
1) I read earlier in the thread that the 49ers blitz like crazy. They don't. They will throw in blitzes here and there from the likes of Warner or Williams, but for the most part they just rush 4 and drop 7. Bosa has been incredible. Just my opinion, but I think he's better than his brother. He's different tho. Joey is more wiry and Nick is built like a tank. That front 4 has demolished teams this year, and Dee Ford hasn't even played that much. He's had a knee all season and has been relegated to more of a 3rd down guy. Who has shocked has been Arik Armstead who might just be playing himself out of SF (he is a FA after the season). It isn't Bosa, Buckner, or Ford who lead this team in sacks. Its Arik Armstead with 8. They have 39 as a team.
2) You can probably throw the last three games out the window defensively from a statistical perspective. If the 49ers D has an Achilles heal (or 2), its that they have trouble with mobile QBs and they give up chunk yards in the run game.
a) Mobile QBs: I've seen the conversation above and I agree with 757Niner....by mobile, I don't mean a guy who is mobile in the pocket. I don't mean a QB who can run pretty fast and gains rush yards when he needs them. I mean guys who run 4.4, 4.5 40s and could probably play another position. They had trouble TWICE now with Kyler Murray because of his mobility. You look at his stat sheet and it will tell you he's the only QB to play SF that has a QB rating over 100 (and that includes Wilson). It based on throwing 3 TDs in this last game and playing well in the first meeting, but he only threw for 150 yards last week. In fact, SF is allowing a league low 142.5 yards passing per game. That's like a historic low. Now you can make the argument that they haven't played and all world QBs and that's fair, but Wilson didn't exactly light them up. I have a TON of respect for Rodgers and being from the Bay Area I was a huge fan of his at Cal. When the Niners took Alex Smith, more than a few 4 letter words were uttered. I say that because I don't want this to come off as disrespect or that I somehow think Kyler Murray is better than Rodgers (he's not and its not in the vicinity of close), but Murray has the element to his game that gives SF trouble and Rodgers simply doesn't. That doesn't mean he won't light SF up from the Pocket as he's capable of doing, but it isn't something we've seen yet this year. Niners play Ravens next week...really not looking forward ot that...lol.
b) Chunk Yards in the Run Game: THIS is where GB might be able to hurt SF. The 49ers moved to a Wide 9 Alignment this year with the hiring of Kris Kocurek as their D-Line coach. This has made their pass rush possibly the fiercest in the NFL, but it has left them vulnerable at times to explosive plays in the run game. This didn't just happen recently. Its been an issue all year. Now in many cases the 49ers were up big and the 49ers had their ears pinned back to go after the pass, but its happened far too often to make that excuse. Its been an issue. GB Excels in this regard so this is something to watch. Packers might be able to do serious damage here, specifically with rookie Dre Greenlaw in now for the lost for the year Kwon Alexander.
3) Jimmy G: Jimmy is a polarizing figure both inside out outside of the Niner fanbase. People forget that Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield actually have more career starts than this guy. There are times he looks absolutely brilliant and there are times you just put your head in your hands and ask why. The reality is that he's still learning. Yes, he has the advantage of sitting and learning behind a HOF QB just like Rodgers did (tho in Rodgers case, I think he's better than Favre), but nothing prepares you like game action. In fact, Jimmy stat line through his first 16 starts aren't all that dissimilar to Rodgers once he got his shot. Now before anyone goes crazy that I am suggesting Garoppolo will be like Rodgers, I'm not. I'm not going there. My point is only that even though a guy sat and watched, there is still a learning curve once you become a starter...particularly in a Shanahan offense. In Matt Ryans first year with Shanahan, he had an 89 QB rating. In his second season with Shanahan, he had a 117 rating, won league MVP, and played in the Super Bowl. I can almost guarantee Garoppolo will throw an INT. I can all but guarantee he'll make some GREAT throws and he will have at least one "WTF was that" throw. The guy has one of the quickest releases you will ever see (tho Rodgers has one himself) so he makes some great plays under pressure. Where he struggles badly though is the deep ball. Its just not his game. Its not an arm strength issue, its an accuracy one. Its just never been his strength.
4) Kittle: It simply can't be overstated how important he is. He's the best player on the field on offense. He has a huge impact in both the passing game and run game. If he is healthy enough to be effective, this will be a much better team than they have been the last three weeks (he played, but was clearly limited vs Cards 3 weeks ago).
Anyway guys, looking forward to the game. Win or lose, just hoping everyone stays healthy.
