Green Bay @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2018 ) San Francisco 30, Green Bay 33

There is little margin for error for two division leaders when the Green Bay Packers visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. San Francisco has the best record in the NFC and holds a one-game lead over the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks while the Packers are a half-game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is well aware that things ranging from homefield advantage and wild-card positioning are in play and he sees the 49ers as a big test for his club. "We're playing a great football team," Rodgers told reporters. "It's a football team that's played solid the entire year that's won a variety of different ways. That's our first challenge. It'll be interesting to see the character of this football team hopefully to grow these last six weeks and the focus to remain the same and the attitude to remain the same." San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledges the importance of the contest but refuses to get caught up in scenarios. "I don't even think about playoff seeding right now. Our goal is to get in the playoffs," Shanahan told reporters. "We're all right there, there's still a lot of football left. Each game we win, we've got a better chance at getting in there. You don't think about seeds, at least I don't, until you can narrow it down to one or two games. I think we're far from that right now."

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: 49ers -3. O/U: 47.5

ABOUT THE PACKERS (8-2): Rodgers has a superb ratio of 17 touchdown passes against two interceptions and has thrown for 2,718 yards, twice topping 400 yards passing. Running back Aaron Jones has broken out and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 touchdowns (11 rushing, three receiving) and has 943 scrimmage yards (589 rushing, 354 receiving). Linebacker Preston Smith has dominated with a team-best 10 sacks for an opportunistic defense that has fueled the team's plus-9 turnover margin (16 takeaways, seven giveaways).

ABOUT THE 49ERS (9-1): San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has heated up with 11 passing touchdowns over the past four games and he has thrown for 2,478 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Star tight end George Kittle (46 receptions, 541 yards) returned to practice Thursday and the 49ers are hopeful he will available after missing the past two games with knee and ankle injuries. San Francisco is tied for the NFL lead with 39 sacks and hopes to get pressure on the quick-releasing Rodgers from the likes of defensive ends Arik Armstead (eight) and Nick Bosa (seven).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rodgers passed for 425 yards and two touchdowns when the Packers beat the 49ers 33-30 last season.

2. San Francisco RB Matt Breida (ankle) could sit out for the second straight game, while K Chase McLaughlin will handle the kicking duties for the third consecutive contest in place of Robbie Gould (quadriceps).

3. Green Bay WR Davante Adams (39 catches, 537 yards) has yet to catch a touchdown pass in six games this season after totaling 35 over the past three campaigns.

PREDICTION: 49ers 26, Packers 24