GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers are getting ready to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at Lambeau Field.
The 49ers will come to Green Bay with an uncharacteristic record of 5-5. But San Francisco has been to the NFC Championship game each of the last three years.
“I feel like we're going against one of the premier teams in the National Football League," said Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur. "I know their record is certainly not where they want to be right now. I think they get the respect of everybody in this league, in terms of what they've been able to do and what they're capable of doing. I think they're as good as any team in the league.”
“They're a team that's played in big games," said Packers safety Xavier McKinney. "They've got a lot of big time players on their team and they know how to play ball. They're still a very good football team. They're still a dangerous football team. And, not only do we know that, I think everybody else around the league knows that.”
Packers quarterback Jordan Love says the Packers had to sit with their playoff loss to the 49ers all offseason. “Going back, watching that game,” said Love. “Seeing what you could have done better, what you could have done differently. Just knowing that’s the team that knocked us out, we’re definitely hungry for this game.”
Injuries have been a big reason why the 49ers have been mediocre. Edge rusher Nick Bosa had to leave Sunday's home loss to Seattle with an oblique injury.
LaFleur admits it makes a big difference whether Bosa is on the field or not. "There's some plays that you certainly would not want to do with him in the game," said LaFleur. "He's just that type of player. He's a game wrecker.”
The 49ers say quarterback Brock Purdy is day-to-day with a sore throwing shoulder. He has 13 touchdown passes this season with eight interceptions this season.
“I would fully expect him to play,” said LaFleur. “I think he's a damn good quarterback. The one thing that makes him so special, just studying him over the last couple of years, is I think he's got a great feel in the pocket of when to escape, or when to hang in there. He's deceptive, in terms of his ability to get out of the pocket and beat you with his legs as well. So I've been really impressed with him, his ability to throw on time. He looks like a really decisive quarterback.”
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander did not practice on Wednesday. LaFleur says they’ll see how his sore knee feels later in the week.