How the 49ers Match Up with the Packers

This can't be what the 49ers wanted.

They'll face the Packers next weekend in the divisional round of the playoffs, because the Packers just beat the Cowboys. If the Packers had lost, the 49ers would have faced the Rams, Buccaneers or Eagles -- three teams they've already beaten.

The Packers are a wild card. They're the youngest team in the NFL, but they certainly weren't intimidated by the big stage, considering they blew the doors off the Cowboys 48-32 in Dallas. In that game, the Packers' defense intercepted Dak Prescott twice.

But the Packers' offense won the game. And the engine of their offense is their running back, Aaron Jones. He's outstanding. Green Bay complements him with play-action passes for Jordan Love, who makes some phenomenal throws on the run. And he doesn't force the ball to one receiver. He spreads the ball around. Which means the Packers offense is extremely difficult to defend.

In addition, their head coach, Matt LaFleur, a disciple of Kyle Shanahan, kept scheming receivers wide open against the Cowboys -- his play designs were elite.

On offense, the Packers are extremely similar to the 49ers, because they run the ball so well, they move the pocket, they spread the ball around in the passing game and they scheme receivers open.

The 49ers clearly are older and better than the Packers, but Jordan Love is playing like a top-five quarteback right now, as he has thrown 23 touchdown passes and just 1 interception in his past 9 games. And the 49ers have lost to every elite quarterback they've faced this season.

Still, the 49ers should beat the Packers next weekend. But the game should be close.