The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers play Saturday in an NFC divisional round NFL playoff game.
Which team will get the victory?
Check out these NFL playoff picks and predictions for the game, which can be seen at 6:15 p.m. MST on Fox and Fox Deportes.
The Packers are a 5.5-point favorite in the game.
Ben Rolfe writes: “The health of Nick Bosa will be crucial in this matchup after he left the Wild Card Weekend game with a concussion. If Bosa is there, the 49ers have a real chance to go into Green Bay and cause an upset. Without Bosa, Aaron Rodgers could pick off San Francisco’s pass defense, which is the weakest area of this defense. In terms of the 49ers’ offense, their run game could be the key to success. The Packers are the third-worst team in the league in rush yards allowed per game. Their overall numbers look good because their opponents are often left chasing the game in the second half. However, the 49ers have dominated Green Bay with the run game in previous seasons and could do so again. This has the feeling of being a close game, and even if the 49ers cannot win outright, they have a great chance to cover the spread.”
Pete Fiutak writes: “The Packers aren’t going to play like the Cowboys. That was one tensed-up Dallas team that looked and acted like the pressure of the world was on its shoulders. It’s like they were trying too hard to do something massive on every down. And 2), Green Bay isn’t going to get hit with 14 penalties and won’t give up five sacks. It’s not fair to San Francisco to say Dallas choked, but if the term fits – that wasn’t the same team that was so confident and smooth in the regular season. That team took its tone and cues from the top – Jerry Jones. Green Bay takes its tone and cues from 12.”
Five Thirty Eight: Packers have a 75% win probability
The site gives the 49ers a 25% win probability in the NFL playoff game.
More: NFL playoff odds: Point spreads, money lines, over/unders for divisional-round games
Action Network: Take 49ers with points vs. Packers
Brandon Anderson writes: “This is the matchup I’ve been waiting weeks to see. Remember when I recommended betting on the 49ers to win the NFC at +2500 odds as well as the Super Bowl at +5000 odds heading into Week 18? It was because I loved how they matched up against their likely playoff opponents — specifically the Packers. Once the Niners got past the first round, this was the likely opponent, and the matchup I wanted for San Francisco. And it’s all about the run game and playoff football.”
Fansided: Packers 30, 49ers 24
Peter Panacy writes: “The 49ers may be built to upset a team like the Packers, particularly if they stick to the kind of formula that worked the last time these two teams faced off against each other in the postseason: a one-sided NFC Championship win for the Niners in which Shanahan relied heavily on a stout pass-rushing defense and an overpowering run game. Green Bay enters this game having surrendered 4.7 yards per rush during the regular season, ranked third worst in the league. Still, it’s tough to see San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo outplaying Rodgers in a hostile environment, especially after Garoppolo and the 49ers narrowly overcame their collective mistakes against Dallas. As such, we’ll unfortunately have to predict the Niners’ playoff campaign coming to a close this game with the Packers winning 30-24 and eliminating San Francisco. Hope we’re wrong.”
Sportsnaut: Packers will win vs. 49ers late
Matt Johnson writes: “There are two things Green Bay has going for it. First, San Francisco’s secondary is the Achilles heel of its defense as we saw against Rodgers (261 yards, 2 TDs, 113.3 QB rating) on Sept. 26. If the Packers protect Rodgers, he can give them an early lead. That takes us to the factor that swings this matchup. Garoppolo is playing with a painful thumb injury, one he described as a feeling of ‘the webbing in your hand is kind of tearing a little bit.’ He has held up well in two starts since, but that came in perfect weather conditions. Playing in frigid temperatures at Lambeau Field, things will be a lot worse. In a close game, history tells us Garoppolo will give the Packers’ defense a chance to seal the game and they won’t waste it as Dallas did.”
More: NFL playoff schedule, television information: How to watch NFL divisional-round games
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers picks, predictions playoffs