49ers vs. Packers, NFL playoffs: A prospector's guide

The San Francisco 49ers head north to Lambeau Field this weekend to face the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Wild Card contest. The winner will advance to face the Seattle Seahawks if the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New Orleans Saints. The winner will advance to face the Carolina Panthers if the Saints beat the Eagles.

This marks the seventh postseason contest between the two teams, and the second in as many years. All of their playoff games have come since the 1995-96 playoffs. The Packers claimed the first three meetings between the two teams, while the 49ers have won two of the last three to sit 2-4 against Green Bay in the playoffs. All-time, the 49ers are 29-34-1 against the Packers, and 11-23 at Lambeau Field.

There will be plenty of key matchups on Sunday, and we'll be going through all of them with Acme Packing Company. In the meantime, there are some early interesting ones via Football Outsiders info. The 49ers rank 14th in rush defense, while the Packers rank third in rush offense. Eddie Lacy has been a revelation for the Packers. He struggled in the season opener, but he's got a full season under his belt now. The 49ers can contain him, but this is not a case of simply looking at what they did in Week 1 and expecting that to be enough.

Another interesting matchup will be the 49ers No. 8 ranked offense, against the Packers No. 31 defense. The Packers will be without Clay Matthews, which opens up a couple things. The pass rush will be stunted to a certain degree, and the 49ers can potentially hit the edge on the run a bit more frequently. Matthews is known for his work as a pass rusher, but he can set the edge against the run fairly well. Removing him from the equation potentially opens the door to a huge effort from the 49ers ground game. The 49ers often seem to lower the head and hit the middle, but Greg Roman and the 49ers offense would be wise to consider more edge work this weekend.

Anquan Boldin

• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he had 5 receptions for 99 yards at GB (9/21/03).
• In his first start as a 49er, recorded 13 receptions for 208 yards and 1 TD vs. GB (9/8/13). His 208 receiving yards set the 49ers franchise record for most receiving yards on opening day. The previous mark of 169 receiving yards was held by WR Jerry Rice vs. LA (9/5/94).

NaVorro Bowman

• Registered his 1st career INT, intercepting Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in the 4th qtr. at GB (9/9/12).
• Forced 13 tackles, 1 PD and 1 forced fumble vs. GB (9/8/13). The loose ball was recovered by CB Tarell Brown and led to a 10-yd. TD pass from QB Colin Kaepernick to WR Anquan Boldin.

Ahmad Brooks

• In his first start as a 49er, registered 2.0 sacks at GB (12/5/10). It marked his first multi-sack game of the season and 2nd of his career [3.0 sacks vs. Arz. (12/14/09)].
• Brought down Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on the final drive of the game at GB (9/9/12), tallying his 21st career sack.

Tarell Brown

• Recorded a career-high 8 tackles at GB (11/22/09).
• Registered an INT, picking off Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in the 2nd qtr. vs. GB (1/12/13) (NFC-D) and returned it 39 yards The INT led to a 20-yd. TD pass from QB Colin Kaepernick connected to WR Michael Crabtree.
• Recovered a fumble vs. GB (9/8/13). The takeaway led to a 10-yd. TD pass from QB Colin Kaepernick to WR Anquan Boldin.

Vernon Davis

• In 6 career games against GB, including playoffs, has notched 23 receptions for 493 yards and 6 TDs.
• He has registered a TD in all 5 regular-season games against Green Bay.
• Hauled in 3 receptions for 74 yards, including a 53 yd. TD recept. vs. GB (12/10/06).
• Tallied 6 receptions for 108 yards and 1 TD at GB (11/22/09).
• Registered 4 receptions for a career-high 126 yards and 1 TD at GB (12/5/10).
• Tallied 3 receptions for 43 yards and 1 TD at GB (9/9/12), marking his 36th career TD.
• Recorded 6 receptions for 98 yards and 2 TDs.

Frank Gore

• Rushed for 130 yards on 18 attempts and 1 TD vs. GB (12/10/06).
• Became the 5th player in franchise history to eclipse 5,000 career rus. yards with a 42-yd. run on his first carry of the game at GB (11/22/09).
• Rushed for 112 yards and 1 TD on 16 carries (7.0 avg.) at GB (9/9/12), marking his 30th career 100-yd. game. Gore also became the first 49er to rush for over 100 yards on opening day since RB Garrison Hearst rushed for 187 yards vs. NYJ (9/6/98).
• Rushed for 119 yards and 1 TD on 23 carries vs. GB (1/12/13) (NFC-D). Also had 2 receptions for 48 yards

Colin Kaepernick

• In his first career postseason start, set the NFL single-game rushing record by a QB with 181 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries vs. GB (1/12/13) (NFC-D). He also completed 17 of 31 attempts for 263 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT.
• Passed for 412 yards and 3 TDs by completing 27 of 39 pass attempts vs. GB (9/8/13). Finished with a 129.4 passer rating.

Eric Reid

• In his first career start, intercepted Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. GB (9/8/13). It marked his first career interception.

Carlos Rogers

• Registered his 1st career sack on a 3rd down play in the 1st qtr. at GB (9/9/12).

Aldon Smith

• Notched his 15th career sack at GB (9/9/12), bringing down Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in the 1st qtr.
• Forced a fumble vs. GB (1/12/13) (NFC-D), bringing down Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, marking first-career postseason FF.
• Registered 1.5 sacks for 9.5 yards vs. GB (9/8/13).

C.J. Spillman

• Recovered a muffed punt at the Packers 9-yd. line vs. GB (1/12/13) (NFC-D). Three plays later, QB Colin Kaepernick found WR Michael Crabtree for a 12-yd. TD pass. 

Series Highlights
Matchups: 64
Postseason Matchups: 6
Series Record: Packers lead series 34-29-1
Postseason Series Record: Packers lead series 4-2
49ers Away Record vs. Packers: Packers lead series 23-11
49ers Postseason Away Record vs. Packers: Packers lead series 2-0
First Meeting: 11/26/50, Packers win 25-21, at GB
First Postseason Meeting: 1/6/96, Packers win 27-17, at SF (NFC-D)
Last Meeting: 9/8/13, 49ers win 34-28, at SF
Last Postseason Meeting: 1/12/13, 49ers win 45-31, at SF (NFC-D)
Current Streak: Won 3
Current Postseason Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 7 (12/10/50 - 12/5/54)
Longest Postseason 49ers Win Streak: 1 - 2 times (Last 1/12/13), 49ers win 45-31, at SF (NFC-D)
Longest Packers Win Streak: 8 (10/14/96 - 12/5/10)
Longest Postseason Packers Win Streak: 3 (1/6/96 - 1/11/98)
Most 49ers Points: 48 - 2 times (Last 12/7/58), 48-21, at SF
Most Postseason 49ers Points: 45, (1/12/13), 49ers win 45-31, at SF (NFC-D)
Most Packers Points: 41, (10/23/60), 41-14, at GB
Most Postseason Packers Points: 35, (1/4/97), Packers win 35-14, at GB (NFC-D)
49ers Shutouts: 1, (12/5/54), 49ers win 35-0, at SF
Postseason 49ers Shutouts: None
Packers Shutouts: 2, Last 11/19/67, Packers win 13-0, at GB
Postseason Packers Shutouts: None

2013 Statistics