In week twelve of the NFL regular season, we can expect some top games that no football fan should miss. In our weekly preview we introduce you to these duels and get you excited for the weekend!
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 10:25 p.m.)
The San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers have not only met regularly in the regular season in recent years, but also in big playoff games. Given the history of these two franchises, there is a rivalry that dates back to the 1990s. Back then, 49ers quarterback Steve Young and Packers quarterback Brett Favre regularly battled each other in the playoffs, before Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers took those spots in the 2000s. Now the successors are Brock Purdy and Jordan Love, who met in the last playoffs when the 49ers narrowly won 24:21 in the divisional round and moved into the NFC Championship Game. Even then, both teams showed us a very interesting duel, which we can hope for again on Sunday.
However, things aren’t going as smoothly for the San Francisco 49ers this year as they have in recent seasons. With a record of 5-5, you currently have to worry about the playoffs, although players like Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Trent Williams, George Kittle and many others are among the best in their positions and the team made it into the last year Super Bowl led. Nevertheless, the 49ers are experiencing a roller coaster ride of emotions and are surprisingly in last place in the NFC West after week eleven. Kyle Shanahan’s offense continues to perform at a very good level: the 49ers offense is in the top 10 in almost all categories, and even in the top 5 in some, including total yards and passing yards per game. While the defense is no longer in the top 5 in the league as it was in previous seasons, it is still in the top 10 in most statistics.
So what are the 49ers’ problems? Of course, bad luck with injuries plays a role: Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw and Jauan Jennings have already missed one or more games this season. If your team’s top players are constantly missing, it will be difficult to find a rhythm. In addition, the second Super Bowl defeat against the Chiefs should have a mental impact. There was also a turbulent offseason: contract disputes, trade rumors and the dramatic story of rookie Ricky Pearsall, who was robbed and shot on the street, dominated the headlines. Such “off-the-field issues” do not leave a team unscathed. Nevertheless: San Francisco has one of the best rosters in the league and could get back on track at any time.
The Green Bay Packers are now more likely to live up to their expectations. After a strong second half of the 2023 season, Green Bay is only in third place in the strong NFC North with a record of 7-3, but its playoff prospects are good. Quarterback Jordan Love has established himself as a franchise quarterback, even if he still needs to get a better handle on his turnover problems: eleven interceptions in eight games are too many. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is a big-play machine who can score in any situation. His passing stations and running back commitment Josh Jacobs are also each having a good season. Jayden Reed in particular is increasingly establishing himself as the number one receiver with 643 receiving yards after ten games and could break the magical 1,000-yard mark. The Packers are particularly impressive with their running game, which is fourth in the league with almost 150 yards per game. Matt LaFleur builds his West Coast-typical play-action game on this. However, the play-action rate had to be scaled back because Jordan Love often plays while injured and has limited mobility. It remains to be seen whether Love will be fit enough to fully utilize his play-action game this week.
Despite the problems that both teams have at times, we can look forward to an exciting duel between two of the most creative offenses in the league, which could well end in a shootout.
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers (Tuesday, 2:15 a.m.)
At the end of the game day we can expect an AFC duel with great importance for the playoffs. The Baltimore Ravens, currently in second place in the AFC North with a record of 7-4, face the Los Angeles Chargers, who are also in the playoff race at 7-3 and have recently impressed with five wins in the last six games. Last week they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34:27 in a quality game, quietly finding themselves in second place in the AFC West and heading for the playoffs. Above all, Justin Herbert, who is having a strong season and has only thrown one interception in 13 touchdowns, and JK Dobbins, the favorite for the “Comeback Player of the Year” award, are carrying the Chargers’ offense. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who is getting better and better, should also break the 1,000-yard mark.
While the Chargers defense is in the top 10 in most statistics, it particularly shines when it comes to points allowed: With just 14.5 points per game, it ranks first in the NFL. In general, Los Angeles has only allowed more than 20 points twice this season. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s unit motto is “Bend But Don’t Break.” Although they allow space to be gained, they usually prevent touchdowns and force the opponents to make field goals. It remains to be seen whether this will also be successful against the explosive Ravens offense.
The Ravens disappointed last weekend in a 16:18 loss to the Steelers. Superstar Lamar Jackson fell short of expectations with just 207 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Derrick Henry also remained rather pale with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown. While the Ravens defense played a strong game and didn’t allow a touchdown, the offense made too many mistakes with three turnovers.
With a view to the playoffs, there is a lot at stake on Tuesday night. Both teams are two games behind the division lead and are fighting for the top wild card spots. The direct comparison at the end of the season could be decisive.
