At 4:25 p.m. the Green Bay Packers will look to exact a small measure of revenge on the San Francisco 49ers for the beating San Fran put on them in the 2012 playoffs. The game can be live streamed here; the Packers radio broadcast can be heard on 620 WTMJ while the 49ers' broadcast can be heard on KNBR 680/1050.
For Green Bay to get their payback, they will need to figure out a way to contain Colin Kaepernick, who ran all over them in the postseason. Packers' defensive lineman B.J. Raji spoke with the media about the difficulty of facing a quarterback with Kaepernick's quicks.
"When the quarterback can run like that, that opens up the arsenal of play-calling," Raji said. "Obviously if you can't stop the run, that's football 101."
Green Bay's star linebacker Clay Matthews said that the defense hasn't forgotten Kaepernick's rushing party, and have spent the entire offseason gaming up ways to keep him under control.
"We had an entire offseason to focus on last year's loss, having time to kind of figure out a way to defend (Kaepernick)," Matthews said. "We obviously like to think we're better prepared to defend that type of offense and what he brings to the table."
While many are focused on Kaepernick's rushing, a spotlight might need to be on his receiving corps. Michael Crabtree could miss the entire season with a torn Achilles, and Anquan Boldin is now the team's top wide receiver. In reality, Kaepernick's best receiving weapon could be tight end Vernon Davis.
Kyle Williams, one of the Niners' receivers, said they plan to use the entire group. "We do it by committee," Williams said. "It's hard when you (don't) have a guy like Crab. He's definitely a No. 1-type of receiver. ... You could say the same thing about Anquan."
Packers Injury Report:
Probable: Jarrett Bush (S)
Questionable: Morgan Burnett (LB), Brad Jones (LB)
Out: Casey Heyward (CB)
49ers Injury Report:
Questionable: LaMichael James (RB), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
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