Hi all,

I have that sinking feeling that Aaron Rodgers will eat turf at least 3/4 times at the Stick.

For a long time, I haven't disputed coaching/personnel because I have no place to, considering out recent success. I do feel though, that this is Newhouse' final audition. If the general notion is "The Packers have their hands full with elite defenses that have premier pass-rushers" then it's only a matter of time before the trend is addressed.

Barclay, not so much. He has done well given the situation but I feel he will need help on Saturday.

I am never sure of anything game related, but for some reason have a feeling that the edge will be the ultimate deciding factor. The first 20 minutes will likely show if it's going to be a struggle, or if we can move the ball well.

Hopefully, we can find creative ways to assist either at any time. I feel they are going to need it.

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A couple of things..

1. Justin Smith will dictate much of how effective the pass rush is.. if he can't go.. it greatly reduces the effectiveness of their edge pressure. His absence has shown this.

2. I find it amusing that Marshall is continuously degraded even after he has shown himself to be reliable to the tune of 8 sacks in 647 snaps. Example for comparison.. Joe Staley of the Niners.. 8 sacks in 492 snaps. Staley is in the Pro Bowl. 🤔

* Per Pro Football Focus

I think Marshall gets chewed up on a fast track against speed when he has to really step out quickly and wide, but coaching should be able to help in those cases with a chip or via playcalling to slow that down. The games in which he got chewed up, notably Seattle, it was a poorly called game from MM. The Stick is basically a sandpit with green paint on it, this will help the offensive lineman verse the speed rush. Hedge the bets on the plodders.

3. To feel better about a kid after a handful of games than Newhouse, one in which he got his ass handed to him in MN, is curious. I like the grit of the kid, I really do, he stepped in and played after many thought the season was lost with Bulaga going down. Probably saved our season sort of like Wilkerson did in 96.

4. The Niners do not blitz much at all.. so if we can force them to blitz to get pressure.. Rodgers is going to eat them for lunch.

5. If the Packers can keep running and screening the ball, it will help the line out a great deal. at this point, my opinion is many are undervaluing the Packers running/screen game, if we vary this team off into their nickel (pulling Willis out of the line up) and can find success we are really going to gash this defense. The Patriots did that.. they played the game with the Niners defense making them guess a bit with Willis and Bowman.. and the Patriots rolled up a ton of yards and points on them. The Niners are a good team.. but they are not the 85 Bears. They can be spread out and exploited. And rendering their pass rush which is really only three players deep ineffective.  NinersPassRush.JPG You have insufficient rights to see the content.

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This seems like a good thread to share some offensive line stats:

profootballfocus may or may not change your opinions on some of our offensive linemen.  tackles.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  tackles2.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  centers.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  centers2.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  guards.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  guards2.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.  olinePBE.PNG You have insufficient rights to see the content.

The one area that I worry about this game is the physicality of the game at the line of scrimmage overall. The Niners are about as physical as it comes in the NFL of today.. can we match it on both sides of the line of scrimmage in the running game.

We have to smack them back in the mouth when they start to jab.. personally, again on the match up of our Oline vs their defensive line.. the key is Justin Smith. If he is effective, this is going to be a physical war. If he is not and the Packers can get to Willis and Bowman (my opinion has over taken Willis on this defense) that Packers win that matchup in running and passing.

It will be a test of wills on the other side.. can we stand toe to toe with their offensive line with a reduced rotation on the defensive line. Pickett, Wilson and Raji are going to earn their paychecks this week.. they are going to be tested early and often and will need to hold up for the entire game. That to me is the matchup of this game.. if Raji and Pickett keep rocking their men backwards.. this game is ours.

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Speaking of Saturday, I hope Saturday stars on Saturday.

EDS was horrible vs Vikings. Saturday I thought was at least serviceable during the reg season.

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In the broadcast, NBC made it sound like Saturday voluntarily removed himself from the line up due to lingering injuries and his belief that he was hindering the team...in other words it was an "altruistic" move initiated by Jeff.

I'm assuming this isn't the case, but does anyone know if there was any truth to this, or he was simply benched by 🇲🇲?

For what little it's worth, that wasn't the impression I got.

I think you will see the no-huddle hurry up offense by McCarthy often. This will slow down the pass rush and hopefully tire out SF's defense.

Of all the games SF has played I HOPE McCarthy has studied the NE game when they ran the hurry up and rung up over 500 yards and something like 33 first downs.

We happen to be that other team that can run the hurry up effectively. Look for it Saturday.

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And hopefully SCREENS AND SLANTS AND MORE SLANTS if they blitz too much.

I've really likes what Newhouse and Barclay have done for the Packers this season. Newhouse has had some pretty great games and if you look at who he is matched up against week in and week out, only giving up that many sacks with that amount of sacks is pretty incredible. Not to mention his left guard has changed a few times and that can have an affect on how Newhouse has to play. I believe he has earned his starting spot.

Barclay has been thrown to the wolves as well and for the most part, has succeeded. I really like Barclay on the run block. He has a better run block than Bulaga, imo. Barclay will be a great back up to have on store next season.

Like Pack93z said, I think a lot of the Packers offensive line success will be determined by how limited Justin Smith is. The guy tore his tricep and I doubt 20+ days is enough for an injury like that to heal 100%. I think Justin Smith will be limited and the Packers offensive line, Newhouse and Barclay included, will punch this 49ers defense in the throat.

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