NFC Divisonal Playoffs: Seahawks @ Packers Sunday, Jan 12th, 5:40PM

[homer]

Packers open 3.5 pt favorite

[OldSchoolSnapper]

So basically even with the HFA. I'm guessing that's gonna move a bit before Sunday. I don't think most of the country's gamblers respect GB much this year.

[superfly]

I don’t have a good feeling about this matchup at all.

[adambr2]

I don’t have a good feeling about this matchup at all.

 

I don't know what to tell you, there's not much more you can ask for this time of year as far as a winnable matchup. There's 8 teams left out of 32 and we aren't a great team as it is. There aren't going to be any gimmees.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I expect it go down to the wire like most of Seattle's games and many of GB's. Seattle is just frankly not a dominant team, much like GB wasn't. That team is full of weaknesses, has a major point differential red flag, eeked out so many wins they were dangerously close to being 8-8, and not as balanced as the Packers. It's Wilson, some nice WRs, and not much else. Wilson is great though.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I don’t have a good feeling about this matchup at all.

 

I guess I'm the opposite - of the 3 teams they could have potentially faced next weekend Seattle was the one I was pulling for.

Weather forecast doesn't look like anything earth-shattering in terms of gametime temps/playing conditions. However, I like the fact the Seahawks will be bouncing around time zones again having to travel to Green Bay right after flying to/from Philly this past weekend.

 

Seattle is basically Russell Wilson and Metcalf on offense, with a keep 'em honest run game due to its decimated running back and Oline personnel groupings. I think GB's defensive line can pressure Wilson with rushing just 4 and keeping a spy on Wilson at times to limit his big plays scrambling. They do have some other receivers that can make plays, but Metcalf is the matchup problem for the secondary just due to his size. Defensively, the Seahawks would be a much bigger problem to deal with if their edge rushers (Clowney, Ansah) were healthier. They can be had in the play action game, and I think Jones can have a big day running the ball provided Rodgers & the receivers keep their defense honest with the passing game.

 

I'm very interested to see Raven Greene's participation rate in practice this week, along with watching the Bulaga/Lindsley injury situation along the line.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Seattle's OL sucks. It's bad. Our line should eat that line alive. If they don't something went wrong.

[homer]

Seattle's got some holes on defense. I think if GB can score 24+ they win.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I don't know what else you could ask for as far as not liking a matchup. Their strength plays well into the strength of our defense, and they can't run to take the heat off. Their defense isn't particularly good at either run or pass. Things happen and we can still lose, but I think it's just nostalgia that has people leery of playing Seattle.

[adambr2]

To me anyone who doesn't like the matchup might just be afraid because it's Seattle and we have some bad recent memories against them, which I understand.

 

Green Bay matches up fantastically against Seattle compared to Philly, and this is coming from someone who hasn't been optimistic about this team at all. Philly's offensive line can take over a game. If Wentz had played, he could have potentially carved us up especially with two really good TEs. They also stop the run far better than Seattle and get to the quarterback far more often.

 

Seattle is the opposite. The Smith's should have a field day, and Seattle doesn't have any runnings backs to keep you honest with play action, which really plays into our hands. They have a couple solid receivers, but we have good enough corners to match. They dont have TEs like Ertz and Goedert that could give Blake Martinez fits in coverage. On the other side, they also can't stop the run, which is our offensive strength.

 

None of this is any guarantee of victory-- still have to go out and execute. But if we lose, it won't be because the matchup stunk. This is about as good of a matchup as you can have this late in the year.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I don't know what else you could ask for as far as not liking a matchup. Their strength plays well into the strength of our defense, and they can't run to take the heat off. Their defense isn't particularly good at either run or pass. Things happen and we can still lose, but I think it's just nostalgia that has people leery of playing Seattle.

 

I keep thinking about the last divisional round playoff game the pack played seattle in lambeau, hoping it's one if those type of days for the green and gold. The Packers were a doubted #2 seed with an aging star qb, they promptly fell behind 14-0 due to a pair of early Ryan Grant fumbles...then they proceeded to kick the crap out of them.

 

That's the kind of nostalgia I'm working with (forget what happened the week after that game in 2008!). I actually draw a lot of similarities with that 2007-8 squad and this team.

[wildcat83]

The site I use opened at 3.5 and already went to 4. Surprisingly the money must have came in heavily on GB.

 

The two AFC games are listed at 9.5 and 10.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Glad we're the last game. If SF has already won, a loss won't crush me as much.

[superfly]

I don't know what else you could ask for as far as not liking a matchup. Their strength plays well into the strength of our defense, and they can't run to take the heat off. Their defense isn't particularly good at either run or pass. Things happen and we can still lose, but I think it's just nostalgia that has people leery of playing Seattle.

 

Metcalf, Lockett, Wilson, and Pete Carroll are what im worried about. Quite frankly I’d have much rather any of the other 5 in the NFC except SF, and I don’t think they’re what they were last time we met. Hopefully I’m wrong about it and you have to beat em anyway to get where we want to go.

[Outlander]

Glad they got the Seahawks instead of the Saints, it shouldn't be a blowout but I imagine the Packers win fairly easily.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Two teams that are prone to winning ugly. I predict a low-scoring defensive battle that is decided at the end. I imagine there will also be a key turnover at some point that plays a huge role. By no means should the Packers be looking past the Seahawks or expecting an easy win. I predict a final score of something like 19-17. Gonna give the Packers the slight edge playing at Lambeau.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I know the Packers dropped the unspoken game to Seattle, and the season opener that same year. Well, and the other referee game, but just going off memory I can't recall the last time they won in Green Bay. I don't believe Wilson ever has.

[pacopete4]

I know the Packers dropped the unspoken game to Seattle, and the season opener that same year. Well, and the other referee game, but just going off memory I can't recall the last time they won in Green Bay. I don't believe Wilson ever has.

Wilson has his worst stat line (82 rating versus his 101 career line, completion % under 60, 6.5 YPA, >200 yards per game) against the Packers including being 0-3 at Lambeau Field. Fans have selective memories when it comes to certain things and this is one of them. The Packers are in a great spot this Sunday night. I hope they take advantage of it.

[adambr2]

1999 was the last time Seattle won in Green Bay. Mike Holmgren vs. Ray Rhodes.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I thought that might be the case and remember it well. Without looking anything up, I believe wonderboy Kitna was their starting QB and the score 27-7. I think Derrick Mayes was playing for Seattle and did a fake jump into the stands after a TD.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I don't know what else you could ask for as far as not liking a matchup. Their strength plays well into the strength of our defense, and they can't run to take the heat off. Their defense isn't particularly good at either run or pass. Things happen and we can still lose, but I think it's just nostalgia that has people leery of playing Seattle.

 

Metcalf, Lockett, Wilson, and Pete Carroll are what im worried about. Quite frankly I’d have much rather any of the other 5 in the NFC except SF, and I don’t think they’re what they were last time we met. Hopefully I’m wrong about it and you have to beat em anyway to get where we want to go.

 

In the Divisional round, basically every opponent is going to have a couple great to good players that can give their team a chance to win. This dangerous and worrisome Seahawks team couldn't put away an even more decimated Eagles squad who had a high school football coach playing QB most of the game yesterday.

 

The Packers have it all in front of them with this game - they are the better team and should win at home Sunday night. If they don't we'll all be disappointed, and it will be because they didn't play well. That could obviously occur based on the Packers' body of work of occasionally getting trounced and oftentimes playing down to their opponents' level...but the Seahawks are the exact same way.

[adambr2]

Also, there's nothing special about Pete Carroll. He's not some strategic genius. He's just another head coach among many. If he is one of our four biggest concerns, we should be in good shape.

 

As FTC says, every team at this point is going to have some weapons to concern yourself with. Against the 9ers it would be any of their RBs, George Kittle, and Sanders. Against the Vikings, it would be Cook, Diggs, Thielen, or Rudolph.

[KeithStone53151]

Of the 8 teams remaining, the only team I think I'd prefer to play against over the Seahawks is the Vikings...if only because we've beaten them twice already. In the playoffs, you have to beat good teams. We are very fortunate with this matchup, but obviously still need to take care of business.

 

One big time key to this game, having a zebra crew that actually calls defensive holding/illegal contact/defensive PI. I'm pretty sure Pete Carroll coaches his guys to commit penalties every play because they can't throw a flag every time. Seattle I think had a dozen penalties yesterday and most were in their secondary. I'm also concerned that even if we win, we'll wind up with a couple injuries that will hurt us in the next round. I'm sure you all saw the hit on Wentz, Seattle is a dirty dirty team.

 

I feel like our defense matches up pretty well on paper with the Seahawks. King is a bigger, more physical corner that can match up with Metcalf. Alexander is quicker and can match up with Lockett. My guess is we play a lot of man coverage with a spy on Wilson. Their run game is good, but I think we'll do a decent enough job on it. Offensively, the Seahawks had a lot of trouble with runs off tackle and to the edge. Scott and to a lesser degree Sanders were ripping off big chunks on outside runs. That sort of thing is right in Jones wheelhouse, I hope MLF took notes.

[PinaMadness]

I thought that might be the case and remember it well. Without looking anything up, I believe wonderboy Kitna was their starting QB and the score 27-7. I think Derrick Mayes was playing for Seattle and did a fake jump into the stands after a TD.

I was at that game. I remember it well. I froze my keester off and it was a miserable blowout. It pretty much went the way you said it. Favre played one of his worst games ever as well, throwing four interceptions and completing less than 50% of his pass attempts. Also a blocked field goal run back for a touchdown. That was also the same day Walter Payton died.

[Jimbo]

I thought that might be the case and remember it well. Without looking anything up, I believe wonderboy Kitna was their starting QB and the score 27-7. I think Derrick Mayes was playing for Seattle and did a fake jump into the stands after a TD.

I was at that game. I remember it well. I froze my keester off and it was a miserable blowout. It pretty much went the way you said it. Favre played one of his worst games ever as well, throwing four interceptions and completing less than 50% of his pass attempts. Also a blocked field goal run back for a touchdown. That was also the same day Walter Payton died.

 

Earl Dotson was baited into committing a disqualifying foul. Just an ugly game.