The San Francisco 49ers have been a frequent challenge for the Green Bay Packers, which includes another playoff elimination last season. On Sunday, it’s a huge NFC game with big postseason implications at Lambeau Field.

Because of that, I invited Nicholas McGee, who covers the 49ers for A to Z Sports, to offer his perspective about where the 49ers find themselves after 10 games.

Watching the 49ers on a play-by-play basis, they still seem like a really good team. Why doesn't their record reflect that?

There are several reasons for the 49ers' struggles this season. The two that stand out are the special teams and the red zone offense. Special teams has been an albatross around the team's neck all season and has cost them games that are going to loom large if the Niners do indeed fail to make the playoffs. The defeats to the Rams and Cardinals were a direct consequence of special teams issues, but the margin for error would be much higher if the 49ers could execute in the red zone. Even with Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers don't seem to have any easy answers in the congested area, and have largely been reliant on some heroball play from Brock Purdy and George Kittle. The 49ers are consistently moving the ball, but are also consistently failing to execute where it matters, and that's the main reason why their efficiency is not reflected by the record.

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Brock Purdy has been impressive creating off-schedule plays and scrambling. What's different about him this year?

Purdy has certainly shed the idea that he's just a game manager with his ability to create and make things happen outside of the structure. The main difference this year in my opinion is that he's pushing the ball deep a lot more than he did in 2023. With the 49ers pivoting to more of a dropback passing game with Purdy regularly back in the shotgun, he's attempting a lot more low percentage throws, which goes back to the lack of consistent easy answers in how the offense has been constructed this year. He would probably benefit from more under center play-action over the final weeks of the season as the attack looks to become more prolific. The scrambling and his ability to make plays with his legs is a huge bonus for the 49ers, but he's also been guilty of leaving clean pockets too quickly. You can make a strong case this has been Purdy's best season, but he needs to find more balance in terms of how often he looks to extend plays and run.

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The defense has been somewhat of a problem since last year. Why isn't the unit executing at the same level of the Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans' eras?

Several in the Bay Area media are asking that question and pointing the finger at first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen for not being more creative. He's also attracted criticism for not blitzing Geno Smith more after Nick Bosa went out last week. There's some credence to the 49ers' lack of creativity, but I think Sorensen's hands were tied somewhat last week with how Smith is against the blitz. The short answer is that the front isn't as dominant as in years gone by, and the play at linebacker has really dropped off with Dre Greenlaw out and former Packer De'Vondre Campbell filling in. Campbell has enjoyed a decent run of form the last few weeks, but the athleticism drop-off from Greenlaw has been glaring throughout the year. This is the best secondary the 49ers have had under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, but it isn't receiving the same protection afforded previous defensive backfields.

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And just an additional question, do you think they'll sign Purdy to an extension in the offseason? For how much?

I think in an ideal world the 49ers would like to wait it out and see how he performs in his third season as starter, but then they risk getting into a Dak Prescott situation. I don't think his play this year has merited him becoming the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, and I think he's the type of player who may take a slight discount to allow the 49ers more flexibility to make other moves. They'll pay him, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a deal closer to $45-50 million region, rather than a potential $60 million a year deal.

Packers will face a different version of 49ers QB Brock Purdy at Lambeau Field

Purdy will start a regular season game against Green Bay for the first time