It must have felt satisfying for the 8-3 Green Bay Packers to get some measure of revenge against the San Francisco 49ers. While nothing can erase the 49ers’ recent playoff dominance, including last season’s Divisional Round win over the Packers, a commanding 38-10 victory at Lambeau Field is hard to dismiss.
Sure, the 49ers were missing key players like Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa, but a win in the NFL is a win, and the Packers earned this one by controlling the game. They won the time of possession, 36:43 to 23:17, dominated the turnover battle 3-0, and rushed for 169 yards against San Francisco’s tough defense.
Was the win flawless? No. While the Packers are firmly in playoff contention, they remain a team with flaws. Nevertheless, head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff have several key takeaways to focus on as they prepare for their next game—a Thanksgiving night matchup against the 5-6 Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field.
Packers Must Rely on Josh Jacobs to Carry the Load
Josh Jacobs, an All-Pro in 2022, proved he’s still a workhorse running back with a standout performance against the 49ers. He carried the ball 26 times, rushing for 106 yards and three touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry, with all of his touchdowns coming in the red zone. The Packers have struggled in that area this season, but Jacobs’ blend of strength and agility was crucial. With temperatures in Green Bay expected to be below freezing on Thanksgiving, expect LaFleur to lean on Jacobs again to wear down the Dolphins.
Packers Need to Keep Targeting Christian Watson
Despite his crucial drop against the 49ers, which went viral, Christian Watson is still a player the Packers need to feature in their offense. Watson had incredible separation on that play, beating his defender by three to four yards—an impressive feat at the NFL level. Although Watson can be streaky, as long as he’s creating that kind of separation, Jordan Love should continue to throw him the ball. His first drop of the season shouldn’t overshadow his potential to make big plays moving forward.
Packers Must Be Aggressive with Quay Walker Against the Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense are firing on all cylinders, and the best way to disrupt them is to apply pressure. Quay Walker, a first-round pick in 2022, showed his potential against the 49ers, notching seven tackles, two stuffs, and a pass defended. If the Packers continue to use Walker aggressively, especially as a blitzer, he can help neutralize Miami’s high-powered offense. His athleticism and ability to make plays in space will be key in slowing down the Dolphins’ attack.
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