Green Bay Packers v. Seahawks: Final Thoughts Before Kickoff

Kickoff is almost here, but before it arrives, these are the final thoughts on the Green Bay Packers’ Divisional round matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

This past Monday once we knew that the Green Bay Packers would be taking on the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round, I gave my initial thoughts on the matchup. As the week went on I continued to dive in deeper and now with kickoff almost here, I have my final thoughts before the big game.

• Feed. Aaron. Jones. This is a Seattle defense that struggles to defend the run as well as running backs in the passing game. Get Jones 20 or more touches at a minimum.
• The Green Bay Packers’ tight ends have been underwhelming at times but they have a great opportunity in front of them to put up some decent numbers. Seattle has had issues covering tight ends all season long.
• Seattle’s run game has suffered without Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, but this week the Packers should be prepared for a much heavier dose of Marshawn Lynch.
• The Packers’ defensive front should be able to put a lot of pressure on Russell Wilson as they go up against a struggling Seattle offensive line that has given up 48 sacks.
• With that said, pressuring Wilson is half the battle, actually bringing him down to the turf is another story.
• The two biggest things about the Seahawks that scares me is that famous Wilson magic, and their ability to create the big play through the air. It needs to be all hands on deck in the Packer secondary.
• One big difference between this year’s Packers team and the ones that Wilson has faced in the past is that Green Bay doesn’t have to blitz to create pressure. In the past Wilson has feasted on them when they blitz but this season, the Packers are one of the top teams in terms of quarterback pressures while they are one of the fewest to blitz.
• Green Bay cannot lose the turnover battle and be sloppy like they were against Minnesota and Detroit.
• As always, red zone efficiency – on both sides of the ball – is going to be a huge factor in determining the game. And for what it’s worth, Green Bay has been very good in both areas this year.
• Behind this Packer offensive line, Aaron Rodgers should have plenty of time pass. Seattle just does not generate many quarterback pressures.
• And with that time in the pocket, he should be able to pick apart their secondary that has allowed the sixth most receiving yards per game this season. Not to mention that opposing No. 1 receivers have had a lot of success against Seattle.
• D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett against Kevin King and Jaire Alexander will be a fun matchup to watch. And a very important one as well.
• It seems to have flown under the radar but this is Matt LaFleur’s first playoff game and I expect him to do well. While the execution wasn’t always the best recently, I thought LaFleur called two terrific games against Minnesota and Detroit. I also expect to see a new wrinkle in tonight’s game.
• I don’t know when or where it’ll happen, but the Packers need to be ready for a trick play or two at all times.
• The last three times Wilson has played at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers are 3-0 by a combined score of 82-36. Meanwhile, Wilson has completed just 57 percent of his passes, for an average of 200 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Seattle Seahawks led by Wilson are an incredibly resilient team and no team should ever be taken lightly. With that said, many matchups favor the Green Bay Packers and they should certainly win this game. And very soon, we will find out.