NFC Game Of The Week
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Seahawks: For the first time in a long time, they didn’t really pose a serious threat to anyone. I remember saying on Twitter last after they beat the Patriots that this is a team that you don’t want to see come playoff time because they’re veteran savvy, Russell Wilson has been here and done that, the defense is still one of the top units in the league and they have the coach in Pete Carroll to really lead them in the right direction. A month later in December, Earl Thomas goes down with a leg injury and Seattle just wasn’t the same after that. Yes, they won the division, they had a home playoff game and won that, but everything came apart against the Falcons last year. Even early on in the season last year, there were a lot of questions surrounding the Seahawks. How much would they miss Marshawn Lynch? Is Russell 100 percent? Have they turned away from what was their bread and butter when they appeared in the Super Bowl which is running the ball? This offseason, the Seahawks signed Eddie Lacy in hopes of him boosting up their running game and giving them a consistent ground game and if he doesn’t pan out, Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise are also there. That’s when Russell Wilson is at his best when he has a consistent running game to lean on. The defense will always be the driving force for the Seahawks. The Legion Of Boom is still in tact, the linebacking core is still one of the best in the league and their front four is anchored by their best defensive player in Michael Bennett. It’s a brand new beginning for them as they open up against a team they know all too well.
Packers: I think the question that’s lingering over them as of now is about their championship window and is it closing? The Packers have had their issues in the postseason. They first have successful stints in the regular season, they get to the playoffs and things just don’t seem to go their way. They let the Cowboys back into the game in their epic playoff battle in January and the rule is simple: When you have a team down, you keep them down. The following week, their defensive woes continued against the eventual conference champion Falcons. This has been an issue for the Packers for more than five years now. Their defense has to be able to get off the field, especially on third down. One of their other issues has been the lack of a running game. Eddie Lacy just didn’t pan out for Mike McCarthy and they were so decimated by injuries at the position that a wide receiver had to step it and take carries and Ty Montgomery wasn’t too bad. This team will always be a threat to get hot and make a run for a Super Bowl appearance especially with Aaron Rodgers under center. Without him, you are picking within the top five of the NFL draft the following year. With him, you have a chance to win each game when he steps on the field. When we last saw the Packers, it was in the NFC Championship game and they were absolutely demolished at the hands of the Falcons. For the second time in four seasons, they will open the season up against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seahawks Player To Watch: K.J. Wright– On a defense with so many starts, he gets unnoticed. He’s an explosive linebacker that is a tremendous run stopper. He reads the play and sees what is about to happen, then he attacks. He also can rush the passer and come off the edge. He can also come in as if he will blitz, drop back and get you an interception. This is their jack of all trades player.
Packers Player To Watch: Martellus Bennett– He’s had his share of playing with some good quarterbacks in his career. He was drafted by the Cowboys and played with Tony Romo, then signs with the Giants and plays with Eli Manning, then Chicago and had a few nice years there, wins a Super Bowl with the Patriots last year and now, he’s playing with his third Super Bowl winning quarterback. He gives the Packers another weapon in an already prolific passing attack. He can get a one on one opportunity with a linebacker or safety and he’ll win that battle each time.
Final Analysis: These two teams know each other very well and I believe they’re both out to prove that they are contenders. For the Seahawks, that offensive line has to protect Russell Wilson better. Allow him to establish himself in the pocket instead of him running for his life. It’s important for the Packers to balance things out offensively and neutralize Michael Bennett.
Prediction: Packers 35 Seahawks 24
