Where the 49ers Need to be Sound at Defensively Against the Packers

The strength of the Green Bay Packers resides in their offense.

Quarterback Jordan Love has been lights out in his last 10 games and doesn't seem to be slowing down. However, as tremendous as he has been, he should not be the lone focus of attention for the San Francisco 49ers on defense. The Packers have been stupendous on the ground game with Aaron Jones.

Running the football hasn't been efficient for much of the season for the Packers. That is due to the injuries that Jones has been dealing with. But now he is fully fit and is riding a four-game 100 yard rushing streak. He has been on a tear with massive momentum like Love. Having a healthy Jones is such a difference maker for the Packers on offense. The Packers are sure to start the game off on the ground against the 49ers, and that is exactly where the 49ers need to be sound at defensively.

The run defense of the 49ers has shown that it can be had against skilled running backs and running offenses. Green Bay is going to want to test that out and see if they can open San Francisco's defense up with a successful running attack. It is partly why Love is throwing the football with high efficiency. The play-action gives him such a benefit and it is because of how strong Jones is running the ball. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is ensuring that the 49ers highlight Jones when Saturday comes.

“He's real good. He runs behind his pads. He can run in between the tackles. He can really jump set and get the ball to the perimeter of the defense," said Wilks. "That's point of emphasis each and every week, but particularly this week as well, we’ve got to do a great job setting edges. I think, again, running behind his pads, he does a hell of job in really making the first guy miss after contact. So, we’ve got to do a great job with 11 guys swarming and getting to the ball.”

Rendering the Packers' running game inefficient will allow the 49ers to make it tough on Love. They will get to see if Love can really handle throwing against an elite defense on the road when his running game isn't a factor. However, it'll only matter if the 49ers are stout when the Packers run the ball. Luckily, the 49ers should be getting Arik Armstead back, which has been a factor in their leaky run defense.

If they are sound in that area, then they will have made one of Green Bay's best players irrelevant.