NaVorro Bowman is aware of the numbers.
Aaron Rodgers has completed 73.6 percent of his passes through three games for a league-leading 10 touchdowns and 135.4 passer rating. But gaudy statistics aside, Bowman is drawing confidence this week from his team's previous performances against the reigning NFL MVP.
The San Francisco 49ers have beaten the Green Bay Packers four consecutive times, including twice in the postseason.
"He's playing well," Bowman said of Rodgers on Friday. "But we've had great success against him in the past, so hopefully that carries over to Sunday."
In those last four games versus the Packers, Bowman totaled 35 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. That's in addition to nine sacks his teammates recorded.
So what's been the secret to San Francisco's recent victories over Rodgers & Co.?
"We got pressure on him and we kept him in the pocket," Bowman said. "You do those things, and you have a great chance to win against Aaron Rodgers."
Through the first three games of the year, the Packers have allowed Rodgers to be hit just 10 times – the fewest in the NFL. The 49ers hope to increase that number on Sunday in front of a home crowd that pushed them to a season-opening victory on "Monday Night Football" against the Minnesota Vikings.
"Coming home will have a huge impact in helping us get back on track," Bowman said. "We've lost two away games and we've won here, so that's a positive to look at. We want to definitely feed off our fans' energy and come out ready to play."
That last part is key for the 49ers, who have fallen behind early in each of their last two games.
"You put so much work into preparing throughout the week that when it doesn't go your way, you get frustrated a little bit," Bowman said. "We can't control anything that we don't have our hands in, so we have to focus on our part."
