Gang, it's tough to think of a better game I've seen in recent memory than the utter decimation of those star-wearing losers down in Dallas. It was utterly perfect... Jordan Love again established himself as not just as a guy but a full blown DUDE, the defense came to play (until it was well out of hand, at least) and Matt LaFleur continues to be firmly living IN HIS BAG and nowhere else. That's one I'll remember for a while. But as it's a week-to-week league, alas we have a new week on the horizon that starts tonight. And it's a foe who's had our number in a bad way of late, the San Francisco 49ers.

So let's raise up the ol' Periscope and peer into the past, present and future of the Packers and Niners.

The Past

The Packers lead the all-time series 38-33, but it doesn't quite feel that way of late. That's because the Niners have gone 7-4 in the last 11, including some big-time playoff wins. The Packers do have two out of the last three, but they are yet to face up-and-coming quarterback Brock Purdy, who is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. A storied history between these two blue bloods began on November 26, 1950 when the nearly-brand-new Niners visited Green Bay resulting in a 25-21 Packer win.

But there is one game in particular I want to look back on this week, and it's the PERFECT highlight for the hours leading into tonight's game. On January 6, 1996, just a few short days after this then-young man's 11th birthday. the underdog Packers went into Candlestick Park (I'll never call it 3Com) to take on Steve Young and the 49ers. The Packers were up-and-comers at the time, looking to get through the Divisional round and get to Dallas with a chance at the Super Bowl.

It was a dream start for Green Bay. After their opening possession ended with a blocked field goal, the defense stepped up with Craig Newsome recovering a fumble and taking it to the house to put the Packers up 7-0 early. After getting the ball back, chunk plays from Brett Favre to Keith Jackson and Robert Brooks put the Packers deep in 49er territory, capping it off with a 3-yarder to Jackson and 14-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, the Packers struck again with a 13-yarder to Mark Chmura and it's 21-0 Pack. San Fran was able to nail a late field goal to cut it to 21-3 at half.

The defense dominated the second half after Steve Young scored a short rushing TD to make it 21-10. Two Chris Jacke field goals pushed it to 27-10 late in the fourth, followed by a garbage time Niner touchdown by Derek Loville. And that was that - the Packers did it and would move on to Dallas.

This was maybe THE game when I was a kid that firmly established my fanaticism for this team. That fumble return by Newsome is one of my all-time favorite Packer moments from one of my favorite games. That game felt a lot like Dallas this past Sunday... got up big early in unexpected fashion, took the foot off a bit, but ultimately left with a no-doubter win. Revel, with me, in the highlights below.

The Present

We know the Packers are coming off a win. But San Fran, the 1-seed, earned a bye week going into this week's game. They, along with Baltimore, looked like far-and-away the top two teams this year. But the Niners have shown a few cracks in a few weird games, like dropping to Minnesota and getting throttled by the Ravens at home. But they're as consistent as any team in the league, led by their Mr. Relevant QB Brock Purdy, all-world stud RB Christian McCaffery, stud receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and oh yeah, a pretty good tight end in George Kittle.

This will be a tremendous test for Joe Barry and trying to limit this group. They can kill you anywhere, and you bet Kyle Shanahan will find it. If they're going to play mostly in base defense to make Purdy throw it, then the pass rush will need to be dominant. And they're capable of that. It's just a matter of if they'll do it. This is a man-against-man, smash mouth game the Packers will need to play in order to win.

Offensively, I fully trust Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love to keep that group moving. With Aaron Jones on an amazing hot streak, he'll be the straw that stirs this drink tonight. If he can be effective, everyone can be. And he's certainly good enough to do it, especially behind this ever-improving offensive line. I really, really can't wait to see how this group continues to progress in this environment.

The Future

7pm Lambeau time, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. The spread has moved up to Niners -10 which, HOO BOY feels like a lot. But, clearly most folks are buying into SanFran kicking our keisters tonight to justify the .5 point movement. With an over/under of 50.5, we should certainly see some points but I'd expect that regardless of that number. These are two potent offenses capable of scoring at will. And the game just might go that way.

In my opinion, this game comes down to what Joe Barry has schemed up and how the team executes it. With Jaire Alexander possibly out, that puts a lot of pressure on the likes of Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine to defend these Niner wideouts. Also, the ability for our backers to cover is of concern. Can Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and De'Vondre Campbell stick with McCaffery, Kittle and others? It remains to be seen, but this will ultimately determine the game. And as always, I cannot wait to see how this one shakes out.

Go Pack Go, Beat the Niners!