Green Bay @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2013 ) Green Bay 31, San Francisco 45

The Green Bay Packers and host San Francisco 49ers have plenty in common as they tangle in the season opener for both teams Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park. Both teams are coming off regular-season division titles, and both would love nothing more than to erase the sting of difficult losses that ended their respective seasons. Green Bay fell 45-31 to San Francisco in the NFC divisional round while the 49ers went on to lose to Baltimore on the Super Bowl.

The Packers seek their third straight division crown - and are in good shape with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his prime and a host of receiving weapons at his disposal. He'll be put to the test in Week 1 against a vaunted 49ers defense that finished second in the league in fewest points against. The San Francisco offense belongs to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who faces little resistance for the job after replacing Alex Smith last season and leading the run to the Super Bowl.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: San Francisco -4.5. O/U 48.5.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (2012: 11-5, first NFC North): The Green Bay defense is ready to go after the nimble Kaepernick, who racked up 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay in their playoff showdown. "You do have to take your shots on the quarterback," Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews told ESPN Radio earlier this week. "Obviously they're too important to their offense." Rodgers would know: He was sacked a league-high 51 times last season.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2012: 11-4-1, first NFC West): The 49ers come in as a favorite to return to the Super Bowl - but that task will prove more challenging with the loss of top receiver Michael Crabtree to a torn Achilles' tendon in the offseason. The acquisition of Anquan Boldin - who helped the Ravens topple San Francisco in the title game - should offset some of that void. The re-emergence of tight end Vernon Davis as a viable option in the passing game will also help.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rodgers finished second in the NFL with 39 passing touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions in 2012.

2. San Francisco has won back-to-back games against Green Bay after dropping the previous eight.

3. The 49ers allowed an NFC-low 294.4 yards per game last season.

PREDICTION: 49ers 24, Packers 21