Santa Clara, California – In previous playoff encounters against the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers had notable success, particularly when facing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Over the past four seasons, the Niners managed to eliminate Rodgers and the Packers from the playoffs on four occasions.

This time, however, the 49ers are preparing to face a different challenge as first-year starter Jordan Love steps into the quarterback role. While Love lacks the accolades of a four-time MVP like Rodgers, his performance in the latter half of the season has garnered attention from the 49ers, who currently hold a 12-5 record. Defensive end Nick Bosa praised Love for his ability to go through his reads and execute the offense effectively.

Despite a shaky start to his inaugural season as a starter, Love has showcased an impressive level of play in recent months. Over the last nine games, he threw 21 touchdown passes with just one interception, culminating in a stellar playoff debut where he went 16 for 21, amassing 272 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 48-32 victory over Dallas.

Green Bay’s head coach Matt LaFleur commended Love’s performance, acknowledging that while perfection is elusive, Love made significant plays that showcased his value. With Love’s strong play and emerging threats among young pass-catchers, the Packers’ offense is once again formidable, resembling the high-powered teams the Niners faced earlier in LaFleur’s coaching tenure.

Looking ahead, the 49ers, with a regular-season record of 12 wins and a first-round bye, aim to overcome the disappointment of their previous two NFC title game losses and secure a Super Bowl berth. Left tackle Trent Williams expressed the team’s excitement for the upcoming divisional round game against the Packers, emphasizing the anticipation after last year’s close call.

Aaron Jones of the Packers has been on a rushing spree, accumulating over 110 yards in each of his last four games, including a 118-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys. The 49ers recognize the challenge posed by Jones, who has historically had success against the Cowboys but hasn’t surpassed 100 rushing yards in previous meetings with San Francisco.

Love’s recent success is also attributed to a diverse receiving corps, with different receivers emerging as his favorite targets in each game. The Packers have showcased depth in their receiving options, producing a different 100-yard receiver in each of their last three games.

Both teams enter the game with rookie kickers facing challenges. San Francisco’s Jake Moody missed his first extra point and a 38-yard field goal in the Week 18 loss to the Rams, while Green Bay’s Anders Carlson has struggled with extra-point attempts and missed a 41-yard field goal against Chicago. Despite the challenges, both teams acknowledge the resiliency of their young kickers and remain optimistic about their performances in the upcoming playoff clash at Levi’s Stadium.