NFL Playoffs

Green Bay Packers (12-5) at San Francisco 49Ers (11-4-1)

(Saturday, FOX, 8:00 PM ET)

The Packers and 49ers opened the year on Kickoff Weekend and will meet for the sixth time in the postseason. Green Bay has won four of the previous five meetings in the playoffs -- most recently in 2001 -- yet San Francisco defeated the Packers in Week 1 by a 30-22 score at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay defeated the division-rival Minnesota Vikings 24-10 in a Wild Card matchup last weekend behind AARON RODGERS' 274 yards and 104.9 passer rating. Rodgers, who hails from Chico, California, will make his first ever start in San Francisco. He enters the game with the highest postseason passer rating (105.4) in league history, including 16 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.

"We're a little thankful that we get the chance to play San Francisco again," says Packers fullback JOHN KUHN, who scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in the Wild Card win. "They really whooped up on us the first game of the season. We're looking forward to going out there and playing a better game."

San Francisco will host a Divisional round game for the second consecutive year. The 49ers led the NFL with nine players selected to the Pro Bowl: linebacker NA VORRO BOWMAN, safety DASHON GOLDSON, running back FRANK GORE, guard MIKE IUPATI, linebacker ALDON SMITH, defensive tackle JUSTIN SMITH, tackle JOE STALEY, safety DONTE WHITNER & linebacker PATRICK WILLIS.

"We lost the NFC Championship Game at home last year," says Whitner. "We want to take that next step this year and that's our goal. We want to win the first playoff game, win the second and then go to the Super Bowl. We feel like we're a top team in the NFL."

NFC Divisional Playoffs Preview: Packers at 49ers