When the Packers (1-1) travel to take on the 49ers (2-0) on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" (8:20 p.m. ET) in the penultimate game of NFL Week 3 in 2021, they will be looking to stay hot after winning last Monday night at home vs. Detroit. San Francisco handled Detroit well in Week 1 and followed that by beating Philadelphia in a much lower-scoring game in Week 2.
The 49ers should be pumped for their home opener in prime time. The Packers will hope for a much better road result than their clunker vs. the Saints in Jacksonville in Week 1.
Will Green Bay stay on track and get above .500 or will San Francisco pull off another gritty close victory to remain undefeated?
Here's everything to know about betting on Packers vs. 49ers in Week 3, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Sunday Night Football."
WEEK 3 NFL PICKS: Against the spread | Straight up
Packers vs. 49ers odds for 'Sunday Night Football'
- Spread: 49ers by 3
- Over/under: 50.5
- Moneyine: Packers +136, 49ers -162
(betting odds per FanDuel Sportsbook)
The line has been around a field goal in San Francisco's favor, meaning it adds up only to its home-field advantage over Green Bay. That's despite the 49ers' major running back and considerable defensive injuries coming into the game.
Packers vs. 49ers all-time series
The Packers hold a 37-32-1 edge after winning 34-17 at San Francisco vs. a very injury-riddled 49ers team last Nov. 5. Before then the 49ers beat the Packers in the regular season (37-8) and playoffs (37-20) during their Super Bowl 54 run. The Packers have won three of five while the 49ers have six of nine.
Three trends to know
—64 percent of spread bettors like the 49ers to take care of their small number at home given their recent strong history against the Packers when healthy.
—74 percent of over/under bettors think the total is too low given the red-hot potential nature of both offenses.
—The Packers are 8-2 straight up and 6-4 against the spread in their past 10 games, including playoffs. That includes six games going over. The 49ers are 4-6 SU and 4-6 in their past 10 games going back to last season.
Three things to watch
Who wil run the ball for the 49ers?
Rookie Elijah Mitchell (shoulder-doubtful) is a longshot to play. Raheem Mostert, JaMycal Hasty and Jeff Wilson Jr. aren't available with various injuries. Rookie Trey Sermon (concussion) is cleared to play but the team also added former Bengals' ex-XFL project Jacques Patrick and former Lion Kerryon Johnson. The 49ers need to find the right combination to exploit the Packers' front seven weakness. That might the include the running of first-round rookie QB Trey Lance as a wrinkle to pivot away from regular starter Jimmy Garoppolo, most likely in the red zone.
Who will stop wide receiver Davante Adams for the 49ers?
The defensive backfield is also a concern for San Francisco. Top cornerback Jason Verrett is out for the season. Richard Sherman is no longer on the team. Emmanuel Moseley is hurting. The team is also hoping Josh Norman can tap into some form of his old self. Bottom line: Adams, Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 target, can crush them in coverage all night.
Will the Packers be fine running the ball again?
The Packers got impatient against the Saints and game-planned themselves out of a needed balanced attack. Then they took what the defense gave them in Detroit, as two-high safety looks from the Lions prompted the Packers to gash them with plenty of Aaron Jones running and short-area receiving. Rodgers will be tempted for the big-play shots to Adams, but the 49ers also should provide extra help deep over the top to help contain those, maintaining plenty of room for Jones to do his thing.
Stat that matters
106.9. That's Rodgers' career passer rating in eight regular-season games against the 49ers. He has a 5-3 record and thrown for 18 TDs with only 2 INTs, averaging 292 passing yards per game. There's a perception he's struggled against the team from San Francisco, only 139 miles away from his hometown of Chicago. But he's played rather well as usual, still perhaps upset about being passed up for Alex Smith at No. 1 overall in the 2005 draft.
Packers vs. 49ers prediction
The 49ers have been fortunate they are 2-0 instead of 0-2. They found just enough defense in Week 1 and just enough offense in Week 2. They can still take control fo the NFC West, but it will be an inconsistent season against top teams and they can rest assured the Rams also have their hands full against the Buccaneers.
The Packers have much to exploit with Rodgers and Jones. The 49ers, a wild card with the ground attack, will see top wideout Deebo Samuel contained by cornerback Jaire Alexander. Tight end George Kittle will do plenty of damage with Garoppolo, but it won't be quite enough to stave off the mild upset.
Packers 27, 49ers 24
