Greatest Rivalries of 2022: Inexperienced Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Packers and 49ers have a protracted historical past however their two epic matchups on the finish of the 2021-22 season added a brand new chapter to this storied rivalry.
The 49ers and Packers performed twice through the 2021-22 season, splitting their two video games with the overall margin coming right down to a single level. The Packers gained the regular-season matchup and carried Tremendous Bowl aspirations into the playoffs, the place their season was ended by the 49ers in a snowy upset.
As a part of our Fandoms of the Year mission, we’re taking this week to rejoice a number of the finest rivalries of 2022. To get extra perspective on the 49ers vs. Packs rivalry, and what it felt wish to be on both facet of it in 2022, we’re turning it over to a few of their greatest followers.
The 49ers perspective
Within the pantheon of nice rivalries the San Francisco 49ers have had through the years, the Inexperienced Bay Packers rise up there proper amongst different rivals just like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
And Niners followers who witnessed how quarterback Brett Favre and the Packers usually ended San Francisco’s postseason hopes with frequency within the late Nineties can attest to how bitter the rivalry had develop into, maybe to the purpose of overtaking the 49ers’ longstanding fan hatred of Dallas.
Heading into 2022, nevertheless, tables have turned in favor of the purple and gold, significantly after the 49ers surprisingly ended Inexperienced Bay’s bid for a Tremendous Bowl throughout final January’s NFC divisional sport.
That San Francisco victory on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Area marked the fourth time quarterback Aaron Rodgers, himself a boyhood 49ers fan, misplaced to the Niners within the postseason. And whereas Rodgers had some bragging rights by beating San Francisco in Week 3 earlier that common season, the newest playoff loss is yet one more blow to his in any other case Corridor of Fame resume.
The 49ers aren’t scheduled to face off towards the Packers this season, though that might simply change if the 2 squads one way or the other wind up assembly within the playoffs as soon as extra (a risk that appears more and more unlikely with every passing week).
Rodgers could be envious of the Niners’ receiving scenario, boasting Brandon Aiyuk and All-Professional Deebo Samuel, whereas Rodgers misplaced his favourite goal final offseason, now-Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams, who tormented San Francisco on multiple event.
Even right down to the person gamers, that portion of the rivalry will probably be one thing the 49ers will hope advantages them, ought to these two squads meet up as soon as extra.
In the event that they do, it’ll be within the playoff setting, and the Niners can hope their postseason historical past towards Rodgers continues, including yet one more colourful chapter on this NFC rivalry.
— Peter Panacy, FanSided Associate Editor
The Packers perspective
The video games by no means was once so nerve-racking. Hell, from 1989 to 2010, the Packers had been 14-2 within the collection. That’s the equal of probably the greatest information a workforce can have in a single season. Sadly, beginning in 2013, the boys from San Francisco turned Inexperienced Bay’s playoff kryptonite.
2021’s marketing campaign felt just like the one. To not say that there weren’t a number of seasons following 2010’s Tremendous Bowl that didn’t … as a result of there have been a pair. However all of the weirdness surrounding Aaron Rodgers alongside along with his regularly phenomenal play, it appeared prefer it was simply lining up as too nice of a narrative. Matt LaFleur had gotten 13 wins in all of his first seasons as a head coach, issues had been firing on all cylinders, and the Packers beat the 49ers fairly comfortably of their late common season matchup. Albeit, with a late scare in the direction of the tip.
Since this playoff blockade that the purple and gold have supplied, it’s seemingly been the dashing assault that has flustered Inexperienced Bay — whether or not from the once-versatile Colin Kaepernick or Deebo Samuel and co. on this current stretch. There has simply been one thing about Inexperienced Bay and the NFC West within the playoffs that may’t assist however ship probably the most nightmarish heartbreak finishes.
Nothing will ever prime the come-from-behind time beyond regulation choke towards Seattle, however this final one was shut. Each video games had been primarily defensive battles, each towards West rivals, it simply doesn’t add up when the offensive firepower is taken into account that was labored with main as much as it the rematch from the common season.
Once more, all of it circles again to Rodgers. The man will get his second MVP award in a row, tying him all-time in instances gained with Peyton Manning at 4, and there’s fear surrounding him departing the workforce after the season. To come back up quick as soon as once more vs. the identical workforce who has plagued him after three robust seasons was simply sickening and felt like the tip of the Packers’ Tremendous Bowl hopes for a stable whereas. In the event that they weren’t going to win all of it that yr, when would they?
