49ers mailbag: What is biggest weakness ahead of playoff opener against Packers?

SANTA CLARA – Instead of eliminating the Dallas Cowboys for a third straight postseason, the 49ers sat back and watched the Green Bay Packers do that deed Sunday. That vaulted the Packers into a divisional-round visit to the 49ers this Saturday, and that sparked these social media queries for our weekly mailbag:

What is the weakest link? Special teams? Run defense? Or can’t win if they’re not ahead? (@bk49r) (@SFGsoccer)

The 49ers’ run defense is the chief concern for this matchup. It hasn’t looked as punishing and gap-sound as past playoff runs. Now comes Aaron Jones. He has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games. He ran for three touchdowns Sunday after only two scores in 142 regular-season carries. His up-the-middle ability must be thwarted by Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead to set up linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. As for other weak links, yes, special teams are an issue, but this affair shouldn’t come down to a Jake Moody field goal or a Ray-Ray McCloud punt return. Nor will the 49ers stake Green Bay to a 27-0 lead like Dallas did.

What is our biggest advantage and disadvantage playing the Pack? (@andres_flo_)

The 49ers’ star-studded and well-rested offense should dismantle the Packers’ overworked defense, which played close to 90 snaps Sunday in Texas. Plus, the trenches should be ruled by the 49ers’ superior talent. As for a disadvantage, the red-hot Packers are 10-point underdogs brimming with youthful ignorance about playing on a big stage.

Were the Cowboys bad or are the Packers just that good? (@jmrpsg)

The Cowboys’ team-wide mistakes were more alarming than the Packers’ proficiency. The Packers seized on the opportunities afforded to them. And to think, Dak Prescott really made the AP All-Pro Second Team over Brock Purdy? Dan Quinn’s defense was out of whack. Even the Cowboys’ special teams were bad. Bill Belichick ain’t fixing that wreck.

What player/grouping matchup are you looking forward to most? (@bruss1212)

George Kittle should feast like Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson did for three touchdowns against slower linebackers and out-of-place safeties. The Packers’ secondary is impressive, but cornerback Jaire Alexander left with an ankle injury Sunday, so Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel could have a banner night, not to mention the 49ers’ best all-around asset, Christian McCaffrey.

Is our defense going to be ready to stop the hot group of WRs and Aaron Jones? (@david581)

The 49ers defense, at every level, absolutely should be primed for this. Assuming Jones is stopped short of 100 yards like every other opposing rusher the past 44 games, the Packers surely will want to test the health of No. 3 cornerback Ambry Thomas (right thumb surgery) and safeties Tashaun Gipson (quadriceps) and Ji’Ayir Brown (knee).

Could Jordan Love be a threat to our secondary? (@wyatt_1319)

No one dared ask that question the past four 49ers-Packers playoff meetings, because everyone knew Aaron Rodgers was a threat – and he went 0-4 against the 49ers. If Love flips the script, it’ll be because of the trust he has in his young receiving corps and with Matt LaFleur’s scheme. “He’s a real dude,” LaFleur said after Love threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns in his playoff debut.

Can we get pressure by rushing four (pass rushers) on Love? (@traviscampbell79)

That is the preferred method by one Nicholas John Bosa. When asked last week about Steve Wilks’ growth as the 49ers defensive coordinator, Bosa said Wilks adapted to “what we do since I’ve been here: zone coverage and rushing four.” Chase Young will have to maximize his extra reps as a starter opposite Bosa with Clelin Ferrell’s expected absence. And Arik Armstead needs to healthy up for 12 more quarters of playoff football while forming a preferred tandem with All-Pro Javon Hargrave.

Will Arik Armstead be available for this game? (@sgarcia_6)

Armstead is expected to play. He returned to practice last week after a five-game absence caused primarily by a foot injury. His presence has been missed, especially against the run. He has seven sacks in nine career playoff games, so that will help, too.

How are the 49ers avoiding the rust that comes with a bye week? (@BenDani2Me)

Last Thursday’s practice was a full-speed session, as sweaty players attested to afterward. This week offers a nearly normal routine, just bumped up a day with the game being Saturday instead of Sunday. Practices are set for 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, 1 p.m. Wednesday and 12:30 p.m. Thursday – even though Saturday’s kickoff will be later, at 5:15 p.m. You may have heard – and will all week – about how these 49ers have played well after extended breaks: before the opener at Pittsburgh, after their Week 9 bye at Jacksonville.

What will be the biggest challenge offensively or defensively against the Pack? (@bstone512)

What about the challenge on special teams? Rookie kicker Jake Moody had the shanks last game, missing wide right on a 38-yard field-goal attempt, then missing further right on a point-after try (after making his first 60 career PATs). Ray-Ray McCloud is back as the 49ers’ return specialist instead of Ronnie Bell, but the greater threat is Packers kick returner Keisean Nixon.

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What’s the weather looking like? (@gohbroscollectibles)

“Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49,” according to the National Weather Service.

Who has the advantage in the rain? (@bigev49er)

Inclement weather figures to favor the team from Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Tuesday’s high temperature is 2 degrees with a low of negative-2. Much will be made this week of how poorly Brock Purdy played in the Cleveland rain en route to the 49ers’ first loss Oct. 16, but that 12-of-27 effort did include late completions to Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to set up a potential winning field goal attempt.

Other than tarping the field, how are they going to keep the grass on the dry side? (@michael_budd)

This isn’t my mother’s native Buffalo. This is my native Santa Clara. And this Levi’s Stadium grounds crew consistently delivers a clean surface. This time last year, Robbie Gould called it the league’s best field. The tarp should do its job until it’s removed an hour or two before kickoff. This week’s rain forecast does not come with the “atmospheric river” or “pineapple express” monikers.

Get me some free tickets to the game please. I need two for me and my dad. Thanks (@bonesskinyy_)

Since you said please and thank you … I’ll forward this to Damone in our ticket-scalping department.

Score predictions? (@jacobjalenpeno)

49ers 34, Packers 17.