One of the best games on the NFL Week 12 schedule is Sunday’s NFC clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers have won seven of their first 10 games, but are still in third place in the NFC North, which is clearly the strongest division in the NFL this season, with the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) racing into an early lead before being overhauled by the relentless Detroit Lions (9-1).
The teams clashed in California in last season’s NFC playoffs, when the 49ers were double-figure favourites but were given an almighty scare by the late-flourishing Packers and had to rally in the fourth quarter to win 24-21.
The NFC champions were expected to be frontrunners in the conference again this season, but that has not been the case so far.
At 5-5 they are in a wide-open race in the NFC West, one win behind the Arizona Cardinals and level with the Seattle Seahawks, who beat them last week, and the Los Angeles Rams.
The odds suggest a close game is expected at the iconic Lambeau Field on Sunday and we’ve prepared a three-leg bet builder suggestion for the match that pays out at just over 5/1.
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers tips
Green Bay Packers to winJosh Jacobs over 0.5 rushing touchdownsChristian McCaffrey over 0.5 rushing touchdownsBet Builder odds: 21/4
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Packers can get their revenge at home
The Packers will have felt they blew a golden chance to upset the 49ers and reach the NFC Championship game last season, but they can get some compensation with a home win over the Californian club on Sunday.
Matt LaFleur’s team have done well to reach 7-3 while quarterback Jordan Love has been battling various injuries and their losses have all come to strong NFC teams – Philadelphia Eagles, Vikings and Lions.
The 49ers would normally fall squarely into that category but the timing of this game has fallen well for the Packers, as the visitors make the long trip with injury concerns over a number of their key players.
While running back Christian McCaffrey has returned in excellent form after missing the first eight weeks of the season, the Niners now have worries over quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder), tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and defensive star Nick Bosa (hip).
Kittle and Purdy are expected to try to tough it out, but if they are not able to perform at their best the 49ers will be vulnerable to suffering their third road defeat of the season.
The Packers failed to cover the handicap in their 20-19 win over the Bears in Chicago last week, but have won five of their last six games, with the only setback coming against the rampant Lions, and the 49ers don’t currently look as strong a unit as they were last year.
Jacobs can lead the way for Packers
Josh Jacobs is the undisputed lead running back for the Packers this season and should be able to bulldoze his way into the end zone against the 49ers.
Jacobs has four rushing touchdowns and one receiving score this season, but three of them have come in the last three games.
The former Raider has been posting some impressive yardage totals, with 76, 127, 95 and 76 in his last four games and, while he has been dealing with a quads issue, he was at full speed last week and a calf injury that has appeared this week might not stop him either.
The 49ers’ run defence is not as strong as it was and they have given up 13 rushing touchdowns this season, including both of Seattle’s TDs against them last week.
McCaffrey overdue to get back in the end zone
McCaffrey’s prolonged absence at the start of this season was frustrating for 49ers fans, but he has not needed much time to get back up to speed, registering more than 100 all-purpose yards in each of his first two games back against the Buccaneers and Seahawks.
What he doesn’t have yet this season is a touchdown, but that situation is not likely to last much longer for a player who reached the end zone 26 times in the last campaign.
Of those 18 were rushing scores and that includes two in the playoff game against the Packers, so a rushing TD by Run CMC looks a worthwhile addition to our bet builder.
All odds correct at time of writing
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