Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers: Full Green Bay Game Preview

The Green Bay Packers will look to continue their undefeated start to the season Sunday when they travel to the home of Super Bowl 50 for a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Green Bay is coming off two straight home victories against playoff-caliber teams, including a 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 that saw Aaron Rodgers throw for five touchdowns. 

With a win this week, the Packers could open their season 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and just the fourth time in the past two decades.

To do so, they'll have to get past Colin Kaepernick and a 49ers squad that's notoriously given them trouble over the past few years. San Francisco (1-2) has won the last four bouts with Green Bay, including two in the playoffs.

Continue on for everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's matchup between two conference rivals. 

Viewing Info

Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Date: Sunday, October 4

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Week 3 Results and Recap

Associated Press

NFC North Standings

Team	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	Streak
Green Bay Packers	3	0	0	1.000	96	68	W3
Minnesota Vikings	2	1	0	.667	60	50	W2
Detroit Lions	0	3	0	.000	56	83	L3
Chicago Bears	0	3	0	.000	46	105	L3

In case you missed Green Bay's Monday night victory over the visiting Chiefs, here's the CliffsNotes version: Aaron Rodgers. 

The scoreboard may imply a closer game between the two teams, but the Packers' 38-28 victory seemed well over by halftime, as the home squad found itself ahead by 17 at the break. 

Rodgers threw for three touchdowns in the first half and added two more in the second to finish off his five-TD, 333-yard night. The Packers gun-slinger was nearly perfect with a 138.5 passer rating and zero interceptions.

As Fox Sports 1 pointed out, Monday night's performance is one we have come to expect from Rodgers at home lately. 

"

Aaron Rodgers' incredible streak at Lambeau Field continues. (via @FOXSportsLive) pic.twitter.com/YJiCkNQsg6

— FS1 (@FS1) September 29, 2015"

Rodgers completed passes to seven different receivers in Week 3 but noticeably favored Randall Cobb, who caught three touchdowns from his quarterback.

Green Bay fans should also get used to seeing James Jones celebrating, as Rodgers found his old partner in crime in the end zone for the third straight game. Rookie Ty Montgomery also caught his first career touchdown after seeing increased playing time for the injured Davante Adams. 

For the second straight game, Green Bay's defense held a top-tier running back in check. Last week, it was Marshawn Lynch (41 rushing yards), and this time, it was Jamaal Charles. The Kansas City star ran for just 49 yards on the ground despite scoring three times. 

The Chiefs eventually made the game close with 14 fourth-quarter points, but it proved to be too little, too late, as a failed onside kick with one minute and 25 seconds left sealed the Packer win. 

News and Notes

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Rodgers Off to a Hot Start

The story is quickly becoming a weekly installment. Aaron Rodgers is playing some of the best football of his career, and there's not much any NFL defense can do to stop him. 

Through the first three games of the season, he's thrown for 10 touchdowns and no picks—the only other player ever to do so was Peyton Manning in 2013. Furthermore, he stretched his zero-interception streak at home to an NFL-record 580 pass attempts and 48 touchdowns.

As Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV notes, Rodgers is dominating despite a less than ideal scenario as well.

"

That's the thing. Nelson out, Jones off the street. Adams hurt. Janis and Montgomery out there. None of it matters. Rodgers keeps dominating

— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) September 29, 2015"

Rodgers also set a franchise record Monday night with his fourth career game with five touchdown passes, passing some guy named Brett Favre. 

It'll be interesting to see if Green Bay's signal-caller picks up right where he left off against the 49ers when he faces a team that passed on him in the 2005 NFL draft to choose Alex Smith first overall. 

Letroy Guion Returns From Suspension

In the wake of some damaging injuries, the Packers got one of their own back to practice this week. Letroy Guion returned from his three-game suspension that came down just days before the start of training camp.

Guion's suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy stemmed from his Feb. 4 arrest for felony possession of marijuana and carrying a firearm in the presence of a felony. Ultimately, his charges were dismissed after a plea agreement was reached requiring him to pay a $5,000 fine.

The 6'4", 315-pound defensive tackle had 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season and should bolster the Packers' run defense if the team chooses to add him to the 53-man roster. 

Packers Planning to Travel Friday

Head coach Mike McCarthy announced Tuesday he'll take his team to San Francisco on Friday—a day earlier than usual for away games—per Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. 

According to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, this is only the second time McCarthy has broken from the norm in his nine years at the helm in Green Bay. The other? A trip to Seattle for last year's NFC Championship Game. 

"Getting acclimated to the environment, crossing time zones, we look at all of those things in the offseason," McCarthy said, via Demovsky. "I don't want to get into specifics—everybody does it a little differently—but it's part of our preparation."

This week was already a short one for the Packers after playing on Monday night. The truncated schedule will force the team to make fast decisions on the availability of its injured stars heading into Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. 

Latest Injury News

Associated Press

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Davante Adams	WR	Ankle	DNP
Bryan Bulaga	RT	Knee	DNP
Morgan Burnett	SS	Calf	DNP
Randall Cobb	WR	Shoulder	FP
Demetri Goodson	CB	Hamstring	DNP
Datone Jones	DE	Head	FP
Eddie Lacy	RB	Ankle	FP
Mike Neal	LB	Groin	FP
Andrew Quarless	TE	Knee	DNP
Sean Richardson	S	Ankle	FP
Aaron Ripkowski	FB	Shoulder	FP
Jake Ryan	LB	Hamstring	DNP

At first glance, the Packers' official injury report may seem scary. There are a few big names that have yet to practice this week and could be out for Sunday's game against San Francisco—and beyond.

The Packers will be without tight end Andrew Quarless for at least two months after the team placed him on the injured reserve/designated to return list on Wednesday, per Demovsky. By league rule, Quarless will miss the next eight weeks of games and can return to practice after six weeks. 

Green Bay's backup tight end injured his left knee in the second quarter Monday against Kansas City. Tests on Tuesday revealed a sprained MCL that won't require surgery but will force Quarless to use the full six weeks to recover, per Demovsky. 

Davante Adams is another notable name on Green Bay's injury report. The wide receiver lasted just three plays into Monday night's contest before reinjuring his sprained ankle, keeping him out for the rest of the game. Adams, who could be seen wearing a walking boot during Wednesday's practice, said his injury isn't a high-ankle sprain, but "just a regular one," per Demovsky. 

The Packers are still holding out hope they'll have their starting strong safety back soon. Morgan Burnett, nursing a strained calf, didn't practice Wednesday. Burnett, who reinjured his calf last week in practice, has sat out two of Green Bay's first three games so far. 

** Official Injury Report courtesy of Packers.com **

DNP = Did not participate in Wednesday's practice

FP = Full participation in Wednesday's practice

Top Matchups

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Clay Matthews vs. 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick

Stopping San Francisco's offense requires a concentrated effort from any defense to limit the damage Colin Kaepernick can do with his legs. For the Packers, they'll need Clay Matthews to be that stopper.

Kaepernick has been Green Bay's kryptonite ever since he came into the league in 2011. The signal-caller has a 129.4 career passer rating and 3-0 record against the Packers. In the teams' two playoff matchups, he ran all over Green Bay's defense for 98 and 181 yards, respectively. 

Enter Matthews, who's coming off a two-sack performance Monday night in a newfound position—the former outside linebacker has moved inside to help with the run defense. Kaepernick and the 49ers have yet to face this new look from Green Bay since the teams didn't play each other last year—Matthews moved inside around November of last season.

We should see Matthews spying Kaepernick almost all game to ensure he doesn't hurt the Packers with his legs like he's done time and time before.

Aaron Rodgers vs. 49ers Secondary

Usually in this space, you might see a wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup—not with Aaron Rodgers, who showed us last week he can dissect a secondary with whatever receivers you give him. Against Kansas City, Rodgers threw to seven different receivers and connected on touchdowns with James Jones, Randall Cobb and rookie Ty Montgomery while picking on the most vulnerable defensive backs. 

Last week, it happened to be Tyvon Branch and Jamell Fleming, who both saw increased playing time due to injuries. This week, Rodgers will most likely stay away from veteran cornerback Tramaine Brock and target the other inexperienced defensive backs in the Niners secondary, such as second-year corners Kenneth Acker, Dontae Johnson and Keith Reaser.

Packers' Front Seven vs. 49ers RB Carlos Hyde

Green Bay's run defense is an interesting story. At first glance, a 27th-ranked unit that's allowed 383 yards on the ground in three games doesn't seem too impressive. 

But consider the stat lines of two elite running backs who have faced the Packers this season. Seattle's Marshawn Lynch ran for just 41 yards in Week 2, while Kansas City's Jamaal Charles managed 49 yards in Week 3. Combined, the two averaged 3.46 yards per carry.

Sunday's game features another top back in Carlos Hyde. After a 168-yard performance in Week 1, Hyde was held to 94 yards combined the next two games—43 and 51 yards, respectively.

If Kaepernick, who has 138 rushing yards on 23 carries so far this season, continues to run all over Green Bay's defense like he has in the past, it could open up some lanes for Hyde to do some damage as a weapon in the Niners offense.

X-Factor

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Packers X-Factor of the Week: Unsung Offensive Heroes

A lot has been made recently of Aaron Rodgers' historic accomplishments and MVP level of play this season, and for good reason. But some other members of Green Bay's offense deserve some recognition this week with increased roles. 

With Davante Adams still nursing a sprained ankle he reinjured in last week's game, rookie Ty Montgomery will likely be the third wide receiver Sunday behind Randall Cobb and James Jones. And while the latter two may see the majority of targets from Rodgers, they'll also be the focus of a Niners secondary desperate to limit a potent offense.

Montgomery caught just two passes in Monday night's win, but one of them came in the form of an eight-yard, first-quarter touchdown that opened the scoring for Green Bay. 

"

First Rule of Lambeau: When you catch your first TD at Lambeau, you do the Lambeau Leap. Cue: Ty Montgomery #KCvsGB http://t.co/UxmxI6cueP

— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2015"

Watch Montgomery's route again and you can't blame Rodgers for throwing his way. The rookie got himself open when his quarterback's first and second options weren't there. 

Even when he wasn't catching passes, Montgomery did his job as a role player. On this play, courtesy of Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV, the wideout perfectly ran his bump/rub route to get Cobb open for a touchdown.

"

Great job by the rookie on the rub. https://t.co/w30HQ4FVkP

— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) September 30, 2015"

If San Francisco's secondary keys in on covering Cobb and Jones, Rodgers must resort to his secondary targets like Montgomery to move the ball. 

Another of those is tight end Richard Rodgers, who should see an increase in playing time with Andrew Quarless sidelined for the next two months. 

Rodgers has seen at least three targets each game thus far—a number certain to rise with Quarless' absence—to go along with a touchdown reception of his own. 

Prediction: Packers 33, 49ers 17

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The key in this game for the Packers will be stopping San Francisco's running game. 

The combination of Colin Kaepernick and Carlos Hyde running the option in the backfield is a guessing game for defenses all across the league. After an impressive Week 1 performance, Hyde's been held in check the last two games. But considering what Kaepernick has done to the Packers in the past, that could all change come Sunday. 

On the other hand, Green Bay's run defense has been impressive lately against a couple of top rushers in Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles—just 90 combined yards over the last two games.

When push comes to shove, we'll see which unit has the upper hand. 

On the other side of the ball, expect Aaron Rodgers to have another huge day. The 49ers' pass defense is 27th in the league and has allowed a league-high 10 yards per completion.

The game could be close to start as each team feels the other out, but Rodgers should get into his rhythm and pick apart a young, inexperienced San Francisco secondary that's yet to prove itself.

Final Prediction: Packers 33, 49ers 17