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The San Francisco 49ers lineup will look a whole lot different than it did the last time the team took on the Green Bay Packers.
The last time the 49ers played the Packers was the 2019 NFC title game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 4, 2020
In that game, there were seven 49ers who had an offensive touch from scrimmage.
None of those seven players will be available for the game on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/OGnyMCW0L3
San Francisco will also be without Trent Williams and rookie Brandon Aiyuk, who are both on the reserve/COVID-19 list as close contacts of receiver Kendrick Bourne, who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Nick Mullens is starting at QB for the injury-ravaged 49ers, with Jimmy Garoppolo scheduled to miss some time after suffering another ankle injury last week against the Seattle Seahawks. To make matters worse, Mullens’ favorite target, George Kittle, also got hurt in the Week 8 loss, and with Jordan Reed not being activated yet, it will be Ross Dwelley getting most of the snaps at tight end.
The Green Bay Packers are coming off an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers are 5-2 heading into the matchup.
Here are the predictions for Week 8 from Niners Nation contributors:
Kyle Posey: It’s hard to imagine this San Francisco team losing to the Packers after what they’ve done to Green Bay in recent years. This won’t be anywhere near the same team roster that we saw in 2019. If you’re googling which players are on the field tonight, you’re not alone. If Shanahan can find a way to score 20+ points in this game, Mike Pettine should be fired on the spot.
The lack of pass rush will forever be concerning, especially against Aaron Rodgers. Will the Niners secondary fare better against another elite receiver? It’d be tough to do worse than last Sunday, where Emmanuel Moseley allowed nine receptions on ten targets for 145 yards. If you’re Robert Saleh, it’d be criminal to allow Devante Adams to have double-digit receptions. You must make anyone else beat you.
I think the 49ers defense holds up. I’m not as confident in the offense, but how could you be with all of the injuries? San Francisco’s upset bid falls short in a sloppy, low-scoring game.
Kyle’s prediction: Packers 23, 49ers 20.
Rob Guerrera: I just wanted one cool thing to watch this week. I know the 49ers are going to be out-manned. I know it’s only a matter of time before Aaron Rodgers makes enough plays to beat a tired defense. All I wanted to see tonight was Brandon Aiyuk get a chance to be the focal point of the offense against a very good Packers secondary, with a quarterback who would at least be able to read the coverage and chuck the ball on time where it was supposed to be. And now, thanks to COVID-19, not. I guess I’ll have to settle for the JaMycal Hasty show and hope Green Bay’s run defense is still as bad as it was last season.
Rob’s prediction: Packers 31, 49ers 13
Jas Kang: I have felt like this multiple times during the season:
The first was during the Week 2 win against the New York Jets. The second was while the 49ers were getting blown out against the Seahawks, and the third was when I saw the news that Bourne, Williams and Aiyuk are on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so they’ll be missing this game. The year 2020 has sucked for multiple reasons, and I was hoping the Niners would be a bright spot as they went on their Revenge Tour. I was wrong. I feel for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the entire organization. I don’t recall a single time an NFL team has lost arguably its top 10 players to injuries. Oh yeah, about the football game today, the Packers get a comfortable win against a shorthanded team.
Jas’ prediction: GB wins, 27-17.
What is your prediction for the final score?