Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 12 vs. 49ers

The Green Bay Packers will welcome the undermanned San Francisco 49ers – who will be without quarterback Brock Purdy and edge rusher Nick Bosa – to Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon for a key showdown in the NFC playoff race.

Can the Packers handle the football equivalent of a wounded animal on Sunday?

Here's how the Packers Wire staff expects the showdown with the 49ers to end in Week 12:

Zach Kruse: Packers 23, 49ers 12 (5-5)

Just win, baby. As satisfying as it would be for the Packers to defeat the mighty 49ers at full strength, any win on Sunday is an excellent result. This is a golden opportunity for the Packers to significantly increase their playoff chances while inflicting serious damage on a team that has knocked them out of the playoffs in three of the last five seasons. The 49ers are reeling, shorthanded and fighting for survival in the NFC playoff race. Sure, a confident and comfortable win would be nice, and it's entirely possible the Packers get one against a backup quarterback. But I remember last November, when the Packers faced another struggling NFC West team that was starting a backup quarterback at Lambeau Field — and Matt LaFleur's team earned a comfortable but mostly unaesthetic 20-3 victory over the Rams fought for. I wouldn't be surprised if Sunday goes something similar. The 49ers have their backs against the wall, so a brilliant effort is likely. However, it won't be enough against a nearly full Packers team that smells blood in the water.

Brandon Carwile: Packers 28, 49ers 21 (8-2)

After last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, without Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa and possibly Trent Williams, it will be much harder to get a win in Week 12. Meanwhile, the Packers smell blood and are eager to capitalize on the struggles of the team that ended its Cinderella run last season. Jordan Love is hungry after the game-winning interception last January and I expect him to deliver with a three-touchdown performance. On the other hand, Kyle Shanahan's offense can never be underestimated, even with Brandon Allen taking center stage. With one of the best backfield duos in the league, the 49ers should keep this game in check by controlling the clock. Still, missing so many key players will be too much as Green Bay improves to 8-3 and sends San Francisco into an early offseason.

Brennen Rupp: Packers 20, 49ers 17 (9-1)

Without Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa, the Packers have a golden opportunity to derail San Francisco's playoff chances and ensure their playoff boogie man is out of contention. Green Bay's front seven needs to redeem itself after being dominated by Chicago's offensive line last week. If they can stop Christian McCaffery, the 49ers will have a tough time sledding with Brandon Allen under center. If Jordan Love and the offense can limit the mistakes, they should pull out the win and improve to 8-3 as they prepare for the Turkey Evening showdown at Lambeau Field with the Miami Dolphins.