Ahhh.. they are overlooking one small factor.. Smith suffered a hip injury and as of last week was not healthy yet. Probable for the game, but hasn't practiced fully in weeks. So I disagree that this is the critical match up.

Aldon Smith is that physical freak type of pass rusher that gave Marshall Newhouse so much trouble last year. Smith has the right mix of speed and power with a long wing span to be able to catch the edge and then work his way to the QB. This is similar to Tamba Hali, Cameron Wake, and Jason Pierre-Paul who each had a field day against Newhouse.

The good news is that Newhouse has finally had a full offseason in order to go over the tape and learn technique. Hopefully this will help him have quicker feet and a better punch in order to slow down some of this pass rush. The other good news is that Smith was used as a situational rusher last year instead of a full time player which would make it easier to tell when to shift the blocking assignments and move a TE over to chip. This may change this year as Smith grows into the system, but a boy can hope.

Smith versus Newhouse is going to be a critical match up for the Packers to win. If Newhouse can control that side of the field, even if he needs some help, then the Packers have a very good chance at winning. The bad news is that this is exactly the type of match up Newhouse struggled with in the past. Reports have said over and over that Newhouse doesn't make the same mistake twice....hopefully that translates to a strong start to the season and a solid game for the shakiest part of the Packers offensive line.

More...

More fun little factoids.

Any 49ers fan should find the chart appalling.

The Packers have won the last nine regular-season meetings between the teams, scoring at least 30 points in five of them.

Losing at Green Bay in Week 1 this season would saddle the 49ers with 10 consecutive defeats in a regular-season series for the third time in franchise history, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The team lost 13 in a row to the Baltimore Colts from 1962-68. It lost 10 straight to the Los Angeles Rams from 1970-75.

The last time San Francisco claimed a regular-season victory over Green Bay was Nov. 4, 1990.

Nice little chart here..

Smith will choke, Packers with the win ... AR will destroy the Niners defense!

Pack93z;216421Ahhh.. they are overlooking one small factor.. Smith suffered a hip injury and as of last week was not healthy yet. Probable for the game, but hasn't practiced fully in weeks. So I disagree that this is the critical match up.

You are aware they have more than one Smith, right? I read your comment was hoping it was Alex Smith, then read the quote to see Aldon Smith. [-x

I don't think it matters about the injury. Packers will start slow and then pour it on. Snoozer of a game!

Zero2Cool;216435You are aware they have more than one Smith, right? I read your comment was hoping it was Alex Smith, then read the quote to see Aldon Smith. [-x

I don't think it matters about the injury. Packers will start slow and then pour it on. Snoozer of a game!

Yeah.. but I figured being Aldon was the first two words of the quote it would be alright.

Justin Smith probably has more impact on the game than either Aldon or a stinking QB. ;)

Packers 31 - 17 49ers

Book it.

Packers- 28
49ers- 17

Packers biggest struggle will be defending Vernon Davis. The other WR's that they claim are great aren't so much.

Packers show the world a new and improved pass rush.
-CM3 with 2 sacks and Perry with 1.
Defense has 2 interceptions.
Cobb returns a kickoff in opening day fashion.
Rodgers has 3 touchdown passes, one being 50+ yards.

I don't really see a way this game isn't close and doesn't come right down to the end. Like the opener last year vs the Saints. Important for the packers to get off to a fast start and make San Fran play the Packers style. Get them into a shootout. The thing that concerns me is the potential of Gore ripping through the Packer defense. If that happens it could be a long close game...and could give the 49ers the upper hand. I think MM has the guys more prepared than any other team in the NFL.
Packers: 27
49ers: 17

Packers get a big play to pull away at the end.

agopackgo4;216532I don't really see a way this game isn't close and doesn't come right down to the end. Like the opener last year vs the Saints. Important for the packers to get off to a fast start and make San Fran play the Packers style. Get them into a shootout. The thing that concerns me is the potential of Gore ripping through the Packer defense. If that happens it could be a long close game...and could give the 49ers the upper hand. I think Mike McCarthy has the guys more prepared than any other team in the NFL.
Packers: 27
49ers: 17

Packers get a big play to pull away at the end.

We'll have Pickett (and Raji) back.
I think we'll be ok against the run.

We'll miss Bishop, but Smith isn't too much of a dropoff.
Plus we've got Perry bringing the beef on the left side.

This game should tell us alot about what our run defense is gonna be like this year.

The story after game 1 will be "Charles Woodson at safety is the best thing in the world."
I expect the 49ers passing offense to get shut down most of the game, a lot of big plays made by #21.
49ers running game shouldn't be that hard to stop.
Packers offense, as we all know, will be fine.
Aaron, Jordy, Finley, Jennings, and those guys will make sure points are scored.

Packers: 27
49ers: 13