The San Francisco 49ers hope to make another Super Bowl appearance this year, but will first have to take down the Green Bay Packers today in a Wild Card face off.
In addition to having to outplay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his dominating offense, the California-based team will also have to beat the frigid Wisconsin temperatures, which would be difficult for just about any team to get used to. Forecasters are predicting the game will take place in below freezing temperatures,which could make this playoff game the coldest in NFL history. Fans and players can expect a wind chill of about -22 degrees.
But you can’t count the 49ers out just because of the cold weather – quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his team have defeated the Packers twice already this season. Additionally, San Francisco features a highly-ranked offense, in which many of its members will make appearances in this year’s Pro Bowl.
See just how cold it will be at Lambeau Field, and learn how fans should prepare, here:
Although the 49ers offense is quite impressive, Green Bay’s might be even more so. San Francisco’s offense has one of the lowest yards per game stats in all the league. The injury sidelining of Michael Crabtree, one of the 49ers major offensive keys, likely plays a big factor in that statistic.
The Packers lost three of their major players this season – including Rodgers, who missed seven full games but was able to come back last weekend to defeat the Bears – along with Randall Cobb and Jermichael Finley. Even with these valuable players down, Green Bay was still able to produce the third-most prolific offense in the league.
And even though Rodgers only played in just under nine games this season, he still managed to throw for 2,536 yards and score 17 touchdowns. Kaepernick, who played in 16 games, threw for 3,197 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.
As expected, sports fans have taken to Twitter to make their predictions and let their hopes be heard:
49ers vs. Packers game is going to be good too! Great day for some Football!!
— Austin Wilson (@AustinWils9785) January 5, 2014
My prediction (and I hope I'm wrong!): @49ers 27, @packers 21.
— Scott Enk (@senkwrites) January 5, 2014
49ers vs. Packers game is going to be good too! Great day for some Football!!
— Austin Wilson (@AustinWils9785) January 5, 2014
Apparently we may have another Ice Bowl this evening between the Packers and 49ers. Nice, makes it interesting!
— Mark Dalton (@_MarkDalton) January 5, 2014
It’s anyone’s guess as to who will win this sure-to-be exciting game that will be filled with precision chess moves and nail-biting moments. The winner, however, will be one step closer to reaching the Super Bowl, and taking home those championship rings.
Image via Twitter