The Green Bay Packers are 7-3 on the season and right in the thick of the playoff race among contending NFC team. Despite having the fourth-best record in the NFC, the Packers currently hold just the sixth seed as their Week 12 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers draws nears.
The Detroit Lions, who lead the NFC North, are 9-1 and currently hold the top seed in the conference. The Philadelphia Eagles, at 8-2, currently sit in the second seed. The third and fourth seeds are occupied by the Arizona Cardinals (6-4) and Atlanta Falcons (6-5).
Another Green Bay division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, are in fifth with their 8-2 record.
The Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers Are Fighting for Playoff Positioning
Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) gestures to the fans before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
While Green Bay has the advantage of currently holding a NFC Playoff seed, the same cannot be said of the 49ers. They enter play on Sunday at 5-5, tied with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams for second in the NFC West behind the Cardinals.
Of course, the Packers need to win in order to keep pace with the Lions and Vikings in the division. The NFC North is surely going to be a blood bath as the weather gets cold and the three teams look to separate from the others in the standings. What is more, Green Bay plays each of their division rivals one more time this year, with the games against Minnesota and Detroit coming on the road.
Since the Washington Commanders, who hold the seventh and final wild card spot, are 7-4 and playing as well as anybody, San Francisco’s “easiest” path to the postseason will come from winning their division. Fortunately for them, the NFC West is tight with all four teams separated by just a single game in the standings.
Unfortunately for them, though, time is running out. They cannot afford to lose many more games. To add to their struggles, they will go into Sunday without two more of their best players: quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) and pass rusher Nick Bosa (oblique/hip).
The Green Bay Packers Will Be Without Jaire Alexander and Edgerrin Cooper vs the 49ers
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13
Indeed, injuries have been an unfortunate theme of San Francisco’s season thus far. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery before the regular season. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and is currently active on their roster.
But his was not the only injury the 49ers have had to overcome. All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL early in the season and is out for the year. George Kittle has also been banged up and he missed San Francisco’s last game, but he has said he will be playing against the Packers this week. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams is also battling injuries.
Green Bay, meanwhile, will be without two of their best defensive players on Sunday. The team announced on Friday afternoon that cornerback Jaire Alexander and rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper have been ruled out already:
Earlier this week, Alexander revealed that he is dealing with a torn PCL, which he suffered in Green Bay’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is not going to have to go on injured reserve, but his knee is not quite ready yet, as he, the team, and fans found out on Sunday when he was pulled out of their win over the Chicago Bears.
Cooper, who has seen his playing time increase as the season as gone on, landed on the injury report in the middle of this week due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice.
While San Francisco certainly has more injuries, the loss of Alexander and Cooper hurt the Packers because they are the best players at positions that lack real quality depth on the Packers roster. Other players, such as linebackers Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie and cornerback Eric Stokes, who have all not played very well this year, will need to step up.