The San Francisco 49ers (5-5) travel to Green Bay to meet the Packers (7-3). They will be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy and edge rusher Nick Bosa. Our 49ers vs Packers prediction is for favored Green Bay to cover the 5.5-point spread.
Head-to-head, Green Bay leads with a record of 38-34-1.
Offshore Odds: Packers Favored by 5.5-points at Lambeau Field
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | +5.5 (-110) | +205 | O 44.5 (-105) |
| Packers | -5.5 (-110) | -245 | U 44.5 (-115) |
49ers Start Backup QB Brandon Allen
Late in the week, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that starting quarterback Brock Purdy was out with a shoulder injury and edge rusher Nick Bosa with a hip/oblique issue.
Purdy’s journeyman backup Brandon Allen will start in Green Bay.
This is the latest hit for the defending NFC champions, who are fighting for their playoff lives.
The NFC West is muddled. San Francisco is tied with Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams, one game behind Arizona for the division lead. The injuries are mounting. They are without wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who was lost for the season after tearing his ACL and MCL. All-Pro tackle Trent Williams is questionable because of an ankle injury.
The 49ers could be an option for the newly free Daniel Jones.
Allen is better off holding a Microsoft Surface on the sideline. But coaches like Shanahan think their system overrates the quarterback running it. Despite Purdy’s accomplishments after being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he has not yet received a lucrative long-term contract. San Francisco openly pursued Tom Brady in the offseason after Purdy took the starting job from Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022.
Losing Bosa is a bigger problem than who is running the offense. Christian McCaffrey is more important than either Purdy or Allen.
Green Bay is Jockeying for Playoff Position
The NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. They are two games behind 9-1 Detroit and one behind Minnesota having lost to both. Still, barring a collapse, they will make the playoffs.
Green Bay’s defense is struggling. They barely beat Jacksonville in Week 8 and escaped Chicago with a one-point win in Week 11 when Karl Brooks blocked the Bears’ game-winning field goal attempt.
Running back Josh Jacobs was limited in practice due to a quadriceps injury and a calf strain. He is questionable.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has adhered to a conservative game plan with QB Jordan Love. Given the 49ers’ injuries, expect more of the same.
49ers vs Packers Prediction: Green Bay Should Pull Away Late
This will be another indicator as to Purdy’s value. If the injury keeps him out for more than one game, San Francisco needs to take a long look at Jones.
The bigger challenge is Bosa’s absence. San Francisco is simply too beaten up. Green Bay will play ball control and pull away in the fourth quarter, winning by more than 5.5 and covering the point spread.
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