Green Bay Packers v. Seahawks: 3 Bold Predictions

The Green Bay Packers will take on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday and here are three bold predictions for the big matchup.

With the bye last week it feels like the Green Bay Packers haven’t played in forever, but their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday is quickly approaching. But before it does, bold predictions are back for least another week!

I finished out the regular season fairly strong over the last month or so and I’m looking to carry that good mojo over to the playoffs. So let’s take a look at three bold predictions for Sunday’s game.

4 Sacks and 1 Interception for the Defense

Russell Wilson is a very pesky quarterback, to say the least. But behind a struggling offensive line and with a Green Bay Packers’ defense that is very good at forcing turnovers and creating pressure, I think they will make life difficult for him on Sunday.

In the past the Packers’ have been burned by Wilson, especially when they blitz. However, with this year’s team they’ve been able to create quite a bit of pressure on the quarterback while being one of the fewest blitzing teams in the NFL. And by not blitzing as often, it should allow them to spy on Wilson as well, which will hopefully help keep him from scrambling too much.

Behind a Seattle offensive line that has allowed 48 sacks during the regular season and an interior offensive line that Kenny Clark and Za’Darius Smith can really take advantage of, I think Green Bay will have plenty of sack opportunities on Sunday. And that constant pressure will lead to a turnover.

150 Total yards for Aaron Jones

Just about every game nowadays has the potential to be a big one for Aaron Jones, but against Seattle, he could really have a career day. For the regular season the Seahawks ranked in the bottom third of the league in terms of rushing yards allowed per game with nearly 118. But the last five games their run defense has been even worse, allowing over 160 on average during that span.

However, it’s not just in the running game where Jones can be successful but in the passing game as well. This season we’ve seen Jones develop into one of Aaron Rodgers favorite targets in the Packer passing game and it just so happens that they are facing a Seattle team that really struggles to cover running backs.

This season, running backs have totaled 51.1 receiving yards per game against the Seahawks and 9.5 yards per catch, both of which rank as the fourth and third most in the NFL, respectively. At a minimum Jones should have 20 touches on Sunday, but up around 25 might be more ideal.

Packers win by 2 scores

When most think about the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks, they think of the 2015 NFC Championship game. And that alone can strike fear into a number of fans. While I can certainly understand that, this mathcup on Sunday between the two teams greatly favors the Packers and don’t be mistaken, this is a game that they should certainly win.

In most key matchups, the Packers have the advantage. I just mentioned how it could be a big day for Aaron Jones. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s red zone defense is better, Seattle struggles to put pressure on the quarterback, their offensive line gives up a lot of sacks, and their secondary allows the 6th most passing yards per game. Not to mention that the Seattle running backs are injured and they relied heavily on them this season.

But perhaps Green Bay’s biggest advantage is that this game is at Lambeau Field where the Packers have won the last three games against the Russell Wilson led Seahawks by a combined score of 82 to 36. I really think that this is a game that the Packers can dominate.