Packers vs. 49ers Point Spread: NFL Divisional Playoffs Odds, Prediction
The 49ers enjoyed a bye on Super Wild Card Weekend after finishing the regular season as the top seed in the NFC despite falling to defeat in two of their final three games, both on home turf. The Packers get set to face the Niners in postseason action for the third time in five years after rolling to a decisive 48-32 upset victory in Dallas last weekend that extends their current SU win streak to four games.
The 49ers’ season-ending swoon has not dampened them on the NFL playoff odds, where they have climbed to 9.5-point favourites. The Packers are a lengthy +350 bet on the NFL moneyline as they vie for a fifth straight outright win as betting underdogs, and the total is pegged at 50.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It has been a tale of two seasons for the Packers, who opened their campaign with just three wins in their first nine games. Green Bay has since emerged as one of the hottest teams and best bets in the NFL while winning and covering in seven of their past nine contest. Indeed, the Packers have particularly risen to the occasion against top-flight opponents. In addition to last week’s stunning upset of the Cowboys, the Pack have also knocked off Kansas City, Detroit, and the Los Angeles Rams since halting a midseason four-game slide. However, this team has produced mixed results in postseason action, going 3-1 SU in their past four Divisional Round clashes, but have come up empty SU and ATS in four playoff dates with the Niners since 2002.
It has been 22 years since the 49ers last went one and out in playoff action, and they have claimed victory in seven of their past nine games. However, San Francisco has been far from a reliable bet this season, going just 5-7 ATS in their past 12 games and failing to cover in each of their dates during a 2-3 SU run at home. And while the Niners have bounced Green Bay from the postseason twice in five years, they have otherwise struggled in head-to-head action, earning the win in just three of seven overall clashes since 2014 including outright defeats in three of five home meetings.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers got the job done last weekend despite dealing with an array of injuries. Limited at practice throughout the week due to multiple ailments, Aaron Jones emerged as a force while running for 118 yards and three touchdowns in Dallas. Jones once again tops a lengthy Packers injury report that also features cornerback Jaire Alexander, guard Elgton Jenkins, and receiver Christian Watson. But a hobbled lineup has not slowed down Jordan Love, who continued his rise to stardom by passing for 272 yards and three scores last weekend. The Packers pivot has found a higher gear since the start of November, and has connected on 23 total scoring passes in the past 10 games, with 14 of those tosses coming on the road.
San Francisco 49ers
A nothing game in Week 18 followed by last weekend’s bye should leave the 49ers healthy and well rested going into Saturday’s action. However, the Niners must quickly shake off any rest if they are to seize control early against the reinvigorated Pack. That means more attention to defence after surrendering over 23 points per game over their past four contests. This team also needs quarterback Brock Purdy to bounce back after turning in a brutal four-interception performance in his last home appearance, a 33-19 loss to Baltimore on Christmas Day. Listed on the injury report with a calf injury, Christian McCaffrey has also struggled to produce at home, running for just one score in three games, and will have his hands full against a Packers rush defence that has surrendered just 83.5 rushing yards per game over the past four games, and no scoring runs three times over that stretch.
GB
SF