Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview: 5 Things To Watch

While it may not seem like that long ago, it's been over 10 years since the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers great rivalry of the 1990's all but died. 

When Terrell Owens caught a touchdown pass in the final seconds of the 1998 NFC Wild card to beat the Packers, the last significant game between the two storied franchises ended with one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history. 

Fast forward 12 years, and the Packers (7-4) and 49ers (4-7) will meet again this Sunday in a game that has playoff implications for both teams. 

We know Owens won't factor into this game, and neither will a Jerry Rice non-fumble call (Obviously, I'm still bitter about that '98 defeat), but who will make the difference come Sunday?

Here are five key things to watch. 

First, the Basics

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SAN FRANCISC0 - AUGUST 16: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls a play against the San Francisco 49ers during a preseason game on August 16, 2008 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Greg Trott/Getty Images)

When: Sunday, December 5, 2010 at Noon

Where: Lambeau Field

TV: FOX

Radio: Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (analysis) on the Packers Radio Network

Line: Packers by 10 1/2

Last time they met: Packers 30, 49ers 24, on Nov. 17, 2009 at Lambeau Field

Series: 29-25-1 in favor of the Packers

Now, onto the five things to watch. 

Can the 49ers Erase History?

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3 Jan 1999: Terrell Owens #81 of the San Francisco 49ers gets helped off the field by J. J. Stokes during the NFC Wild Card Game against the Green Bay Packers at the 3 Comm Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 24-17. Mandator

While we don't hesitate to call the Packers and 49ers series a "rivalry" in the '90s, the fact of the matter is this matchup has been strikingly one-sided for the better part of two decades.

In fact, let me run down some interesting tid bits about the recent and not-so-recent history of Packers-49ers. 

The Packers have won all seven meetings between the two teams since the 1998 Wild card loss in San Francisco.

Green Bay hasn't lost a regular season game to the 49ers since Nov. 4, 1990—a span of over 20 years—and has won seven consecutive at Lambeau Field. 

Then once you factor in the Packers' 30-24 win last season, it's painfully obvious that history is not on the 49ers side come Sunday. 

But that also begs the question: Are the 49ers "due" for a win against the Packers? 

I'm not sure I buy into such a thing as "being due", but I'd have to believe the 49ers' players have been made aware of their recent failures against the Green Bay Packers. 

And to be quite fair, the Packers still owe the 49ers for that heart breaker 12 years ago (That's the last time I'll mention it, promise).

Is Troy Smith a Quarterback To Be Feared?

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo

While the 49ers currently sit at 4-7, quarterback Troy Smith has directed San Francisco to three of those four wins and has a 3-1 record as the starter. 

Granted, Smith has beat the Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, who combined have a 13-20 record this season.

So what are we to make of Troy Smith? Let's look at the numbers. 

Smith has completed 56-of-104 passes this season, for 829 yards and three touchdowns. He also has one rushing touchdown and two interceptions, and his 55.4 completion percentage and 84.1 quarterback rating are average at best.

Overall, those numbers tell me that Smith is nothing more then a game manager. And while he does have some athletic ability, he's not a guy that is going to beat you single-handedly.

But he's also a guy that probably isn't going to throw away the game for the 49ers either. With only two interceptions, he's done a much better job then Alex Smith at protecting the football for San Francisco. 

Without a successful ground game on Sunday, however, look for Smith to struggle against a very good Packers' defense. 

(One quick thing before I move on from the 49ers' quarterbacks: Don't you wish Alex Smith was starting this game? I'd love for Aaron Rodgers to keep rubbing it in the face of the 49ers' organization for passing him up. Maybe Smith being on the bench is bad enough, but this would be another perfect stage for him to show those guys what a colossal, franchise-crippling mistake they made five years ago.)

Will the 49ers Have a Successful Rushing Attack?

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Runningback Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 8 yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoe

For the 49ers, running the football appears to be their only chance at moving the ball with any effectiveness on Sunday. 

But even with starting running back Frank Gore out for the season, the 49ers running game could still present the Packers some problems. 

Veteran back Brian Westbrook burst onto the scene last Monday night with a 23 carry, 136 yard performance against the Cardinals, and he might have some life in those legs moving forward.

The Packers' defense is also coming off a poor performance against the Falcons' Michael Turner, and their tackling will have to improve mightily to ensure Westbrook and company don't get moving on the ground come Sunday. 

Also keep an eye on the 49ers' Anthony Dixon. He's a big back, and he reminds me a little bit of Turner. It will be interesting to see if the Packers do a better job at bringing him down then they did with Turner a week ago if Dixon sees a few carries.

Either way, I still believe the Packers have the advantage in this matchup. Green Bay has done a good job at stopping the run (even though the numbers don't exactly agree), and I wouldn't expect that to change Sunday. 

Will Aaron Rodgers Have To Carry the Offense Again?

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

For all the 49ers' shortcomings, run defense has not been one of them this season. In fact, San Francisco ranks eighth in the NFL at stopping the run, allowing less than 100 yards per contest. 

The Packers' deficiencies in producing much of a running offense has been well-documented, and those struggles are likely to continue Sunday. So what should we expect again come game time?

A big helping of Aaron Rodgers slinging the ball. 

Packers coach Mike McCarthy has been quick to abandon the run game if it fails to produce early on, and he has supreme confidence in Rodgers being able to lead an efficient offense without the threat of the run. 

That means we should see a lot of the "Big Five" again Sunday, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Rodgers clear the 300 yard mark again. 

Because in my opinion, the 49ers will have a hard time stopping our offense regardless if we run the ball effectively or not.

As long as Rodgers takes care of the football, like he's done so well over the past month or so, our offense should be plenty capable of putting up big points against the 49ers. 

Will the 49ers' Skill Players Make an Impact?

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after scoring a 38 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on No

The 49ers have experienced struggles at the quarterback position, but they have some pretty good players at other skill positions. 

Even taking Gore out of the equation, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis are all really good players at their respective positions. 

Crabtree, the 10th overall selection a year ago (one behind the Packers and B.J. Raji), has had an up-and-down year. He's caught 38 passes for 509 yards and five touchdowns, but I'd have to think those numbers are lower then many 49ers' observers expected. 

Davis has had a similar down year, which probably has more to do with the revolving door at quarterback then the talent Davis actually has. In fact, Davis led all tight ends in touchdown receptions just a year ago. He's only caught four this season. 

Willis may be the best of the bunch, however. Many compare him with the Ravens' Ray Lewis, and it's hard to argue with those comparisons. He's a tackling machine, and he'll be a big reason why the Packers have a hard time finding much room on the ground. 

The Packers better make sure he's blocked on blitzes too, because no one wants him to get a free shot on our quarterback. Aaron would be more than a little woozy if that scenario unfolds Sunday.

Overall, I don't think Green Bay will have much trouble taking Crabtree out of the game, but Davis and Willis could very easily hurt them. Davis had a big game last season against the Packers, and Willis is a big play waiting to happen on defense. These two will have a big say on if the 49ers stay in this game. 

Conclusion and Prediction

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 22: Tight end Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by linebackers Clay Matthews #52 and A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated t

This game has all the makings of a blowout if the Packers play as well as they're capable of. 

For starters, the 49ers are coming off an emotional win against a division rival on Monday night. The hangover effect, along with missing a full day of preparation, should give the Packers an early edge. 

Factor in the mindset of Green Bay after the loss to Atlanta this past weekend, and you have the ingredients necessary for the Packers to take this game in blowout fashion.

And if the Packers can get an early lead, this game could be over in a hurry. I don't think the 49ers have the tools to stage a comeback, and they are also terrible on the road, winning only once in five tries away from the Bay area this season. 

The only way I could see the Packers losing this game is if they turn the ball over on offense and let the 49ers run the football on defense. If they keep those two factors in check, they should be 8-4 following this game. 

Here's my not-so-bold picks:

The Packers won't run the ball effectively (again), and the special teams will probably make a few mistakes (again), but the Packers will beat the 49ers (again) 31-13.