Inbox: It doesn’t change anything

What’s happening to San Fran this year?

Many injuries. Many missed opportunities. A lot of tough losses. And still a hell of a talent. Don’t get too comfortable after all the injury updates on Friday, because this is in the nature of a four-quarter rant.

It appears that Brock Purdy will not play on Sunday. How does this affect the defensive game plan?

It doesn’t change anything. No different than San Francisco’s defense without Nick Bosa. The Packers must be prepared for the 49ers’ best shot. Kyle Shanahan will have his guys ready, and the Packers’ defense still has to deal with Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. When Brandon Allen gets the call, he’s a veteran who knows the offense. Coincidentally, Matt LaFleur also knows him after the two worked together in Los Angeles in 2017.

The 49ers won’t go down easily. To me, they have the best running back duo in the league, and for a team that doesn’t stop the run and hasn’t put much pressure on the QB lately and hasn’t created turnovers, it’s going to be a tough one. I expect Purdy to play and without pressure he is a good completion passer. With an over-under of 47½, I’m taking over as I don’t think the pack can stop SF. I expect the Pack’s offense to have their best showing of the season regardless of who plays for SF.

LaFleur sent the right message to his team earlier this week when he said the Packers fully expect Purdy to play. Regardless of whether Purdy should be out there or not, the Packers’ focus needs to center on correcting their mistakes from last week and channeling it toward playing a more complete game.

For two teams with realistic Super Bowl aspirations, this game will be close and could go either way. But the Packers should prevail. Reasons to believe: 1) Health. While both teams have injury issues, the Niners have Purdy, Bosa and Williams potentially out. Yikes. 2) November football at Lambeau. Nuff said. 3) Winning the closest ones has become a thing for this team. As this young team continues to gel, they learn how to perform during crunch time. 4) Christian Watson. GPG!

This will be a massive task for the 49ers. It’s always going to be a tough sled when you sit out six players and wait to see if two of your offensive starters will be available. That’s San Fran’s problem, though. Green Bay has to play its game with its roster.

Dominic from Chesapeake, VA

Wes, I am writing today one day after having my right hip replaced. They had me walking as soon as I could wiggle my toes – amazing! A Packers win on Sunday will definitely help in my healing process. I really want to see Christian Watson continue his stellar play. Your comment about him and Jordy earlier this week made me envision Jordan Love behind center, faking the run to Josh Jacobs and hitting Christian at full speed on a post. Along with a win on Sunday, wouldn’t that make your day?

First, Spoff and I wish you both a full recovery. Watson is not only a leader in the locker room, but also a centerpiece of this offense. To come no. 9 getting the pass down the field could be the key that completely unlocks this offense in the second half. Watson won’t have 150 receiving yards every week, but the threat he poses increases the options for himself and this offense.

I just wonder why a WR with Christian Watson’s ability has been targeted so rarely. With the season more than half over, he has just 20 receptions on 31 targets. And he has zero drops. I realize Love has been injured and out of several games and the Pack has a good stable of receivers and CW can block well, but still feel his outstanding strengths have been underutilized. We need his home run ability.

It’s a fair question, I haven’t quite figured it out myself. Watson can run the route tree. We saw last year against Kansas City that he can win as a possession receiver. Jason Vrable said the same thing when he addressed the media on Thursday. Vrable discussed how there have been a few instances this year where Watson has been open with three or four yards, but the ball didn’t go his way. It’s football. You just have to be patient and keep winning your one-on-ones. Watson will.

Kenton of Rochester, MN

Educate me here, please. I’ve noticed that in the first 3/4 of the game, faced with a third-and-forever, most offenses surrender and make an easy play like a quick slant or bubble screen that is likely to win 5-10 yards, but no way will the line win. Why not at least try to throw something down the track that at least has a chance? Even if it doesn’t connect, you might get a PI or some other defensive error. Just giving up seems pointless. Is it analytics?

It depends on the game situation. The checkdowns that you are referring to are when an offense tries to gain back yards to help reverse field position. Converting on third-and-10-plus isn’t a high-percentage proposition. While it is possible to draw a defensive penalty, you are more likely to take a negative yardage play on long, developing routes or turn the ball over.

“This season will have plenty of ups and downs left after Sunday, regardless of the outcome.” And based on the fact that the calendar reads November 22nd, I think it’s safe to say that the coming of our collective December friend is highly likely. Here’s hoping that just some level of the environmental conditions seen Thursday night make it to Lambeau for the two games this week.

The Packers must own regardless of the conditions, but one undisputed factor working in the Packers’ favor is both San Francisco and Miami making long road trips — and in a short week in the Dolphins’ case. It’s nothing.