Green Bay Packers v. Seahawks: Gut Reactions & Highlights

The Green Bay Packers moved past the Seattle Seahawks and on to the NFC Championship game. Here are the gut reactions and highlights from their performance.

From the opening drive of the game through the remainder of it, the Green Bay Packers were in control for the most part – although it did get iffy at the end – and came away with the win over the Seahawks. But before we start looking ahead to the NFC Championship game, let’s take a look at the gut reactions and highlights from their performance.

• What an opening drive for the Green Bay Packers. That is exactly what they needed.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1216508062732836867

• Overall, the secondary did a nice job against Tyler Lockett and D.K. Matcalf.
• 3rd downs are always key, and the Packers were great tonight. 9-13 overall.
• Aaron Jones had a nice run on the opening drive but overall it was tough sledding as he averaged under 4 yards per carry. However, he did score two key touchdowns inside the five yard line.

• And yes, the refs messed up that fumble call on Seattle’s opening possession. That should have been Green Bay’s ball.
• Seattle has been one of the worst teams this season against the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver and we saw that tonight as Davante Adams had a big day.
• Despite having a few rough games against Minnesota and Detroit, tonight was a very efficient and well-played game by Aaron Rodgers.
• Also, Rodgers has really struggled in the 2nd quarter of games but he was very good against Seattle.
• Not a bad way to roll out the barrel!

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1216543936858091522

• Seattle had been very good on third downs the previous two weeks but the Packers did a great job against them tonight.
• While Marshawn Lynch played a bigger role as Pete Carroll had said he would, overall he was unproductive.
• In the first half the Packers over came some crucial penalties which included one on Allen Lazard and a block in the back on Elgton Jenkins.
• Kenny Clark is a beast. That is all.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1216529273349197825

• The Seahawks have struggled covering tight ends all season long and we saw three HUGE third down catches by Jimmy Graham.
• In the first half and inside the 10, I loved how the running game remained an emphasis. However, in the 4th quarter, they did resort to a number of pass plays.
• Green Bay’s defensive front did a great job getting pressure, but as we all know, bringing down Russell Wilson isn’t very easy.
• For all the issues Geronimo Allison has had this season, that third down catch in the fourth quarter was clutch.
• What a response by the Green Bay Packers on their first drive of the 2nd half after a Seattle touchdown. It was very much-needed and simply, fantastic.

• Two of Brian Gutekunst’s mid-season additions – Tyler Ervin and Jared Veldheer – played huge roles tonight and played excellent.
• And of course, I have to mention Za’Darius Smith, per usual. Another superb performance.
• Containing Russell Wilson isn’t easy to do at all, and we saw him extend a number of plays and turn them positive as he has done so often.
• My goodness, what a toss from Aaron Rodgers in a huge moment.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1216550050555236352

• Losing Allen Lazard certainly hurt the passing game, but as we’ve already highlighted, Davante Adams handled the burden quite well.
• Side note, was anyone else nervous when Seattle had the ball in the 4th quarter down 11?
• It was clear that the Packers’ defense was tired at the end. But they did enough to hang on.
• As always, the defense has come up big this season in huge moments and we saw that again with a Preston Smith sack on third down.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1216549249917378567

• Russell Wilson is now 0-4 at Lambeau Field.

Can you believe it? The Green Bay Packers have advanced to the NFC Championship game, which will be played next Sunday in San Francisco. And as we all know, they have some demons to exercise there.