GREEN BAY, Wis. — When the Packers host the 49ers Saturday night in the playoffs, it will be a rematch of Week 3. That’s when the Packers prevailed 30-28 in California.

One of the ways the 49ers have changed since then is their use of wide receiver Deebo Samuel as a running back.

“They have him in a lot of different ways,” said Packers linebacker Preston Smith. “They use him as a receiver, they use him as a running back, they have him on a lot of fly motions, they do jet sweeps. So, we just got to know where he's at all times, make sure that we play sound football, that we make sure we execute, play fast and physical, and we don't allow too many big plays with him. He can do anything for them. He is just like a running back when he's in the backfield. You have to treat him as such. They can give him every handoff, or give him every toss. That’s what helps their team out. They can use him in multiple ways.”

49ers head coach and offensive play caller, Kyle Shanahan, adds to the complexity by challenging a defense to have eye discipline in being able to filter out motion just used as a distraction.

“The way he designs his plays, the motions, and all the types of different shifts,” said Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark. “He gets everybody's eyes wandering. If your eyes are in the wrong place, if you're not doing your job, or doing what you are coached to do, he's able to exploit that. “

Clark admited that the Green Bay weather is both an acquired taste and an advantage.

“I’m used to it now, being a California guy, I'm used to it,” said Clark. “Do I like it? I don’t like it every day. Game day, it is what it is. You gotta go out there and play on, but I think it's definitely an advantage for us. We play in it, it’s our environment every day and it only strengthens us as a team.”

Clark said the possible return of Whitney Mercilus is “crazy".

"I’ve never seen that before with a bicep injury.”