After guiding the Green Bay Packers to a Super Wild Card Weekend win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, quarterback Jordan Love switched gears.
That assignment is a divisional-round playoff clash with an electric 49ers squad at Levi's Stadium on Saturday night. Love understands the Packers must prepare quickly.
They're a very talented team," Love told Dallas reporters following Sunday's win. "This week is about getting back to work, seeing what they're about in the film room, and working. Their team is great, so we must get our bodies back and play."
After their NFC title and first-round bye, San Francisco will be refreshed and ready to play, while Green Bay will have five days to prepare for the big game.
Before the 2023 regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers secured the NFC's top seed and rested numerous starters. Despite nearly two weeks off from game action, the 49ers have focused on practice and preparation as usual. Kyle Shanahan, a familiar face to Packers coach Matt LaFleur, valued that approach.
couldn't be happier for our guys," LaFleur stated Sunday. I'm enthusiastic about our new opportunity to play in San Francisco against a top NFL club. I don't know when we play, but assuming it's a short week, we'll have to rest up."
The 49ers must also contend with Love, who completed 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys, and the Packers' Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones and receivers Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs.
As LaFleur noted, the Brock Purdy-led 49ers offense is one of the finest in football. LaFleur and the NFL know the game will be played Saturday, Jan. 20, at 5:15 p.m. PST. NBC Sports Bay Area airs "49ers Pregame Live" at 4 p.m.