by Taylor Price
The 49ers have packed their bags and headed East for a second consecutive playoff appearance. This time, San Francisco faces the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Sunday’s postseason meeting is a Week 10 rematch, also remembered as a statement win for the NFC South-winning Panthers. Both teams have continued to play solid football since that November matchup.
Let’s look at the top 10 storylines for this upcoming game.
10. Will the Wooooooo's Matter?
Ric Flair spoke to the 49ers last week in Appleton, Wis. It didn’t sit well with the folks in Carolina, Steve Smith in particular, who said “The Golden Gate Bridge is burned” between the team and the wrestling icon and former Panthers season-ticket holder. Flair’s “heel” turn as a bad guy was a comical storyline earlier in the week, but will have no say in Sunday’s winner. Justin Smith had the 49ers reach out to the WWE for Flair to make a guest appearance last week. It seems like it’s a one-time deal. By all accounts, Flair is not speaking to the 49ers this week. Jim Harbaugh didn’t see any issue with the Flair appearance. “I think Ric Flair’s a fantastic guy. I had a chance to spend quite a bit of time with him, half hour, hour or so on Saturday,” the 49ers coach said. “And then of course he spoke to our team. He spoke very highly of Carolina and his friendships with the Carolina Panthers.” It's not a big deal. If the 49ers want to be the man they need to beat the man. End of story.
9. Stop Teddy
Old friend Ted Ginn Jr. hurt the 49ers the last time these teams played. It was mostly in the return game. Ginn set up Carolina’s go-ahead field goal with a 25-yard punt return. San Francisco doesn’t want to see the former Niner do that again this week. What is the special teams key this week? “Containing Teddy Ginn,” special teams ace Kassim Osgood said. Ginn, the seventh-year pro, was sixth in the NFL in punt return average (12.2 yards per return). San Francisco’s coverage units, on the other hand, have performed well in recent weeks. The challenge of limiting Ginn’s production in the return game will be significant, but if the 49ers get the best of the matchup, it can go a long way in influencing the game’s final outcome.
Source: http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Top-10-Spotlight-49ers-vs-Panthers/490c152a-6327-436a-9e54-e66e702a80eb
