SANTA CLARA — At roughly 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, 49ers kicker Jake Moody might be anticipated to tee it up inside Levi’s Stadium and ship the ball into play to open the NFC divisional spherical matchup towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
In spite of everything, no matter which staff wins the coin toss, it appears seemingly the Packers will find yourself with the soccer to start out the sport.
Coach Kyle Shanahan stated he wouldn’t even take into account taking the ball if the 49ers win the coin toss. He’s set on deferring, and Packers coach Matt LaFleur appears to have discovered one thing that works along with his latest choices to obtain the opening kickoff.
Inexperienced Bay deferred the primary 39 instances they received the coin toss in LaFleur’s first 4 1/2 seasons with the Packers. All that modified on Thanksgiving Day when he pressured the significance of a quick begin towards the Detroit Lions.
The Packers received the toss that day and selected to obtain the opening kickoff. Inexperienced Bay led 20-6 on the finish of the primary quarter and cruised to a 29-22 victory.
As soon as once more, the Packers opted to take the ball once more Sunday of their playoff opener towards the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback Jordan Love led the Packers down the sphere on a landing drive. The Packers took management and maintained management all through en path to a 48-32 upset victory over the Cowboys.
“I believe the fellows simply feed off it,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich instructed the Inexperienced Bay-area media this week. “Anytime you can begin quick and get seven factors on the board in that first drive, I believe that units the tone for the whole sport.”
After the success of the choice every week in the past, it might be a shock if the Packers modified their strategy towards the 49ers.
In the meantime, when requested if he would possibly decide to take the ball with a view to forestall the Packers from a quick begin, Shanahan answered, “Nope.”
The 49ers have skilled a variety of success early in video games whereas incomes the No. 1 seed within the NFC. The 49ers scored 76 factors on their opening drives this season — one of the best within the NFL since at the least 2000. They outscored the opposition 115-63 within the first quarter of their 17 common season video games.
“We’re all juiced up and able to go for the primary drive,” 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy stated. “Simply our mindset with getting on a staff fairly shortly and doing the little issues proper from the soar. That is a giant emphasis that now we have right here.
“In order that’s one thing I believe we have finished effectively. Then clearly, our scheme and stuff, the performs that we all know we will name for the primary drive. These are all issues that you would be able to put together for and it helps you out as a participant.”
Shanahan prefers the opportunity of holding the ball and scoring on the finish of the primary half, then instantly coming again and receiving the kickoff to open the third quarter.
“That is the benefit,” Shanahan stated. “If not, I believe it often performs out even. However you’ve got received an opportunity to get an additional possession.
“Watching all of it now and actually learning it since I used to be in Atlanta, I simply really feel fairly sturdy about it.”
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