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San Francisco 49ers Open as 4-Point Favorites vs Packers in Week 3 NFL Odds

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NFL Football

Updated Sep 20, 2021 · 8:31 PM PDT

Jimmy Garoppolo close up
San Francisco 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) waits to take the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
  • The San Francisco 49ers (2-0) opened as 4-point favorites over the Green Bay Packers (1-1) on Sunday Night Football in Week 3 (Sept. 26th, 8:20 pm ET) 
  • San Francisco edged out Philadelphia in Week 2, while Green Bay blew out Detroit
  • Read below for analysis on which way the line will move ahead of kickoff

It’s a rematch of the 2019 NFC Championship Game on Sunday Night Football in Week 3 (Sept. 26th, 8:20 pm ET). The 2-0 San Francisco 49ers host the 1-1 Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium, in their first home game of the 2021 season.

The venue has been a house of horrors for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers recently, as they’ve lost back-to-back games there by a combined score of 74-28.

Packers vs 49ers Opening Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Green Bay Packers +100 +4 (-110) O 48.5 (-110)
San Francisco 49ers -200 -4 (-110) U 48.5 (-110)

Odds as of  Sept. 20th at DraftKings.

The 49ers opened up as 4-point favorites, in a game that features a total of 48.5. San Francisco earned a hard fought 17-11 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, while Green Bay rebounded from its most embarassing loss in the Rodgers era, by blowing out Detroit 35-17 on Monday Night Football.

Winning Ugly

In Week 1, San Fran won by racking up 41 points in Detroit. In Week 2 however, it was the defense that propelled them to victory. They allowed just two scoring drives to Jalen Hurts and company, blocking a 46-yard field in the first half, and then forcing a turnover on downs inside their own 5-yard line on the very next series.

The Niners stingy defense limited Hurts to 12 completions and 190 passing yards on 23 attempts, a week after surrendering 338 yards to Jared Goff. San Fran brought down Hurts twice, hurried him on 18 drop backs, and held Philly running backs to 3.63 yards per carry.

Offensively, the 49ers didn’t produce many splash plays, but Jimmy Garoppolo took care of the football, and even flashed some rushing upside. The 29-year-old threw for 189 yards and a score, while picking up another 20 yards on the ground and a rushing TD.

On the injury front, a week after starter Raheem Mostert was lost for the season, his replacement Elijah Mitchell left the game briefly with a stinger but was able to return. His fellow backfield mates weren’t so lucky though. Second round pick Trey Sermon exited the game with a concussion, while fellow RB JaMychal Hasty left with an ankle injury, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk suffered a lower body injury.

Green Bay Bounces Back

Packer fans were understandably nervous during the first half of Monday’s win over the Lions, as their defense looked just as vulnerable as it did in Week 1. They surrendered 17 points on just four defensive series, and the team trailed by three at halftime.

Fortunately, Detroit’s defense had no answer for the Packers’ offense and especially Aaron Jones all night, and Green Bay blew the doors open in the second half. Rodgers tossed four touchdowns, three of which went to Jones, and the running back ran in his fourth score of the game to seal the victory.

Joe Barry’s defensive unit tightened up in third and fourth quarters keeping the Lions off the scoreboard, while racking up a pair of turnovers.

Expect Packers Money to Push Line

Packer bettors saw everything they needed to see from Rodgers against the Lions, and the defense played just well enough to give Green Bay supporters a false sense of security. Recency bias will likely dictate the betting action this week, so don’t be surprised if this game closes around San Fran -3.

A field goal is probably where the line should have opened at from the jump, as the teams are two of the stronger NFC clubs and boasted similar preseason Super Bowl odds.

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