{"id":4134,"date":"2024-11-24T08:31:26","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T08:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=4134"},"modified":"2024-11-24T08:31:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T08:31:26","slug":"breaking-three-reasons-why-packers-will-lose-to-49ers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=4134","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Three Reasons Why Packers Will Lose to 49ers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 49ers have been slammed by injuries, with Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa among the starters who won\u2019t play at Green Bay on Sunday. Nonetheless, here are three reasons why the Packers will lose to their rivals.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"San<\/picture><\/figure>\n
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers last year. \/ Kyle Terada-Imagn Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Brock Purdy is out for Sunday\u2019s game against the Green Bay Packers. So is Nick Bosa. And Brandon Aiyuk. And their best defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. And so on.<\/p>\n

Because the San Francisco 49ers have been hammered by injuries, there\u2019s no reason why the Packers should lose on Sunday. Except for these three reasons.<\/p>\n

1. 49ers\u2019 YAC Attack<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s interesting to see the 49ers are only 26th in the NFL in yards after the catch per season.<\/p>\n

How is that possible?<\/p>\n

Tight end George Kittle is a YAC legend. Receiver Deebo Samuel is so tough that he was the 49ers\u2019 featured running back when they stunned the Packers in the 2021 playoffs. Even with running back Christian McCaffrey missing most of the season, Jordan Mason has proven himself a physical runner.<\/p>\n

Even without desired arm strength, Purdy is a downfield passer. That oftentimes doesn\u2019t lend itself to YAC.<\/p>\n

With Purdy out of the lineup, there\u2019s no doubt 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan will want to give Brandon Allen as many easy completions as possible. It\u2019s not just easy completions. It\u2019s easy yards.<\/p>\n

Expect Shanahan to lean on his proven playmakers.<\/p>\n

Kittle has averaged 7.1 YAC per catch during his brilliant career and ranks second among tight ends in missed tackles this year, according to Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s one of the best at the position, and I think he just embodies how they want to play, the style of play,\u201d Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Kittle. \u201cHe\u2019s relentless, and he\u2019s going to fight for every inch, every blade of grass out on the field. I\u2019ve got a lot of respect for him, having gone against him so many times. I think he\u2019s an all-time great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samuel has averaged 9.5 YAC for his career and 7.7 this year. McCaffrey has more than 4,000 YAC in his eight seasons.<\/p>\n

What a mismatch this could be. Only three teams have missed more tackles than Green Bay, according to SportsRadar.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a quarterback, my job is just to get the ball to our playmakers. And so, that’s my plan going into the game,\u201d Allen said.<\/p>\n

2. Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason<\/h3>\n

Of course, the 49ers are going to run off the bus, run out of the locker room, run out of the huddle and run at Green Bay\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

With a healthy McCaffrey leading the NFL in rushing yards, total yards and total touchdowns last season, San Francisco ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game and fourth in rushing yards per carry.<\/p>\n

Even with McCaffrey missing the first eight games of this season with an Achilles injury, the 49ers are seventh in rushing and fourth in yards per carry.<\/p>\n

McCaffrey has struggled by his exceptional standard. In his two games, he\u2019s averaged 3.7 yards per carry and broken only two tackles.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s perhaps only a matter of time, with Sunday perhaps being that time.<\/p>\n

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