Week 9 Thursday Night Football

5th November 2020

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers

Matchup Basics

Matchup Insight

Attention; We have an urgent request for anyone in the bay area with the top of a 49er, turn up to the game tomorrow night with your own cleats and guarantee you at least 5 snaps, more if you can run a decent slant route. The 49ers offense is as hurt as a vote counter in a room full of republicans, their starters are hurt, their backups are hurt and their backups, backups are currently reading this blog and looking for their dusty cleats. Jimmy Garropolo, George Kittle, Ben Garland will all be missing the game due to injury while Kendrick Bourne, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams have been put into COVID protocol. The Packers are not without their own injury woes, AJ Dillon has been put into COVID protocol and Jamaal Williams has been deemed a close contact. If the Packers cant gets Aaron Jones and David Bakhrati back from previous injuries this offense could look very one dimensional.

The 49ers defense has been one of the best units against the run so far this season, so much so that they could get rid of run-stopper Kwon Alexander for annual disappointment Kiko Alonso. The one area the 49ers have been susceptible to is QBs scrambling. Aaron Rodgers is more than capable on his legs and should be able to pick up a few key first downs this way. The secondary unit in San Francisco has been getting stronger against the pass in recent weeks and they’ll need all the help they can get against Rodgers and Adams who have the best connection in the league.

The passing game for the Packers is absolutely flying going for over 250 yards and at least 3tds in 3 of their last 4 games. Devante Adams is looking like the best receiver in the league and Robert Tonyan is quickly establishing himself as a premier Tight End. The run game could be under a big injury cloud this week especially if Aaron Jones cant return. Dexter Williams will be the main guy trying to break through the 49ers stout run D, while Tyler Ervin will be the main 3rd down and receiving back.

The Packers defensively have been a mixed bag this season and they should be able to neutralize the $9ers poor passing game. Trent Taylor looks to be the only healthy WR left on the roster and it won’t take Jaire Alexander’s best work to stop the connection between him and Mullens. With no George Kittle, Jerrick Mckinnon will be a crucial component through the middle of the field. The key for the Packers defense will be to keep the pressure on with the pass rush, playing with 9,10 and jack on the offensive line it will be a tough night for Nick Mullens. The Packers haven’t been the strongest team against the run, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue with JaMycal Hasty leading the 49ers run game.

Player Props to look into for this week include none other than Devante Adams, surprise, surprise. Adams over 79.5 receiving yards will be a solid bet even though his matchup isn’t particularly strong the connection he has with Rodgers is just too good to pass up. Marques Valdez-Scantling is a player who I constantly brag on and love betting the under, this week I’m going to flip the script and go over27.5 receiving yards on Scantling. For the 49ers Jerrick Mckinnon receiving yards over 25.5 is a great bet as hell be a key target with no one else left to throw to.

The Last Word

In a matchup where the 49ers are going to be playing most of the game from the comfort of their hospital bed, we don’t expect them to be putting up a lot of points. Keep in mind the Packers are coming off a tough divisional loss and will be looking to do just enough to get the win. I got on the Packers -2.5 when this line opened but can’t commit now it has blown out to -7 the value has gone as it’s always tough to bet on a road team on a short week. The under looks a great bet as the 49ers should be stifled offensively and these 2 defenses can more than hold their own especially against this inept offense.