PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Saturday night will be the 10th postseason meeting between the Packers and 49ers, the most between any two teams in NFL playoff history.
San Francisco holds a 5-4 edge in the postseason series, while Green Bay holds the advantage in points (218-204).
The 49ers return to the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons, including the third consecutive season, as they host the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in the NFC Divisional Round.
Before the first-round Bye, the 49ers suffered a 21-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the regular season finale. Sam Darnold completed 16 of his 26 passing attempts for 189 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ronnie Bell and a one-yard rushing touchdown of his own.
In 2023, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards. He became the first player since 1995 and only the 4th since 1970 to lead the NFL in rushing after every week of an entire season (HOF RB Emmit Smith – 1995; HOF RB Walter Payton – 1977; HOF RB O.J. Simpson – 1973 & 1975).
In 2023, the 49ers averaged 398.4 yards per game, ranking 2nd in the NFL (Mia. – 401.3).
In his first full season as a starter, All-Pro quarterback Brock Purdy set the 49ers single-season franchise records for passing yards (4,280) and passer rating (113.0). Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback in 23 years to throw for 4,000 or more yards in a season, making him the 3rd quarterback in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
Purdy registered 45 completions of 25-or-more yds. in 2023, which was the most in the NFL.
In 2023, the 49ers defense held its opponents to 44 red zone drives, the 2nd-fewest in the NFL (Cle. – 42).
The 49ers offense averaged 6.6 yards per play in 2023, the most in the NFL.
In 2023, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was the only player in the NFL to register 130 or more tackles, 2.0 or more sacks, four or more interceptions, and ten or more passes defended.
Since entering the NFL in 2019, WR Deebo Samuel has recorded 283 receptions for 4,122 yards (14.6 avg.), and 19 touchdowns through the air to go along with 160 carries for 1,007 yards (6.3 avg.) and 19 TDs on the ground.
Samuel is the 2nd player in NFL history to record 4,000 or more receiving yards. And 1,000 or more rushing yards in the first five seasons of his career (HOF WR Charley Taylor, Was.).
The top-seeded 49ers have the league’s No. 2 offense and No. 3 scoring defense. They’ve also won five straight divisional games and are trying to reach the NFC title game for a third consecutive season.
San Francisco’s 0.16 expected points added (EPA) per play was well ahead of the No. 2 team, the already-eliminated Dolphins, at 0.12.
Brock Purdy has one of the NFL’s best-supporting cast with McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle.
San Francisco hasn’t had a bye week in the playoffs since that Super Bowl run in 2019.
The 49ers are the only team remaining in the NFL playoffs to boast both a top-three scoring offense and scoring defense from the regular season.
