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          NFL Nation

          Could facing the Packers solve Colin Kaepernick's woes?

          • Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterOct 1, 2015, 07:00 AM ET
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              Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role - writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA's Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis' Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
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          SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Colin Kaepernick insists he’s not the sentimental type.

          “I’m not too big on feelings,” the beleaguered San Francisco 49ers quarterback said Wednesday. “Feelings aren’t going to help me win a game. I’m focused on what I can to help this team win.”

          Being nostalgic this week, though, might actually help Kaepernick mentally in the wake of a career-worst performance in a 47-7 loss at the Arizona Cardinals. It was a meltdown that included a 3.2 Total QBR after he was intercepted four times, with two being returned for touchdowns, while completing just 9-of-19 passes for 67 yards.

          Might the mighty Green Bay Packers actually be a tonic for his troubles?

          It kind of seems like crazy talk given how poorly he and the 49ers have performed the past two weeks and how in sync the undefeated Packers have looked. Maybe it is, but Kaepernick has had his biggest moments and a few of his best games against the Packers.

          He is 3-0 against Green Bay, with two of those matchups in the playoffs, and has defeated his childhood favorite team in decidedly different manners each time.

          It was against Green Bay in the 2012 NFC divisional playoffs in San Francisco when Kaepernick had his coming-out party, stunning the league with his 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. He had 437 net yards.

          Then, in the 2013 season opener at Candlestick Park, Kaepernick took to the air to beat Green Bay, passing for 412 yards and three TDs without an interception for a 129.4 passer rating while racking up 426 net yards.

          And in that season’s playoffs, the sleeveless Kaepernick kept warm on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field (where the temperature at kickoff registered 5 degrees) by beating the Packers using both his legs (read option) and arm (as a pocket passer). He passed for 227 yards with a TD and INT and kept Green Bay off balance by rushing for 96 yards on seven carries. He had 312 net yards in that game.

          Surely, even with the 49ers being a rebuilt outfit with a leaky offensive line and Kaepernick’s job security being called into question, the QB’s unique skill set and history against the Packers have to give Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers a sleepless night or two.

          “We have a lot of respect for Colin,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s obviously had success against us in the past. We’re looking at the big picture, really just focusing on him and, obviously, his great ability and really how he’s being utilized in their new offense. This is a new coaching staff so it always brings new challenges, especially early in the season.

          “He’s definitely a challenge to prepare for.”

          Added Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “I haven’t seen any film on him. But we know he’s a talented guy. He’s had some big-time games against (us). I’m sure our defense is expecting him to play well.”

          Kaepernick made a habit of Tweeting out #7tormsComing this offseason, a not-so-subtle warning that the QB, who, yes, wears No. 7, was going to be unleashed on the NFL this season.

          Through three games, though, Kaepernick's "storm" has been more of a California drought.

          Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu said the 49ers’ passing game “has just simplified so much. It was easy for us to anticipate routes, get some good breaks on the ball” after he had one of two pick-sixes.

          After his second interception, Kaepernick did not attempt another pass for 13 plays.

          “If you were in basketball, you would have called a timeout,” 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said. “Really, that’s the easiest and honest way I can say it. Boom. I’m looking at it ... we had nine minutes left in the first quarter, right? Wasn’t that it? OK, we’re down two scores. Here we go, guys, we’ve got time. Let’s run the ball. Let’s get going.

          “The straight up fact is we’ve put ourselves in a position for two weeks now where you haven’t seen our offense. We haven’t seen our offense. The rhythms and all those things, we haven’t gotten to that point.”

          And in the Packers, Kaepernick faces a familiar foe. One that, if he was sentimental or had feelings, might get him jacked up and on tempo for the game, right? RIGHT?

          “They do a lot of different things,” Kaepernick said of the Packers. “There’s different players back there as well. So, it will really depend what they roll out for us on Sunday.”

          And which Kaepernick rolls out for the 49ers.