It’s Set, Packers vs Seahawks

Sunday January 12th at 5:40 PM the (#2) Green Bay Packers (0-0) will face the (#5) Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Lambeau Field! To further prove the playoffs is a totally new season, two #6 Seeds, a #4 Seed and a #5 Seed advanced out of the Wild Card Round. All those regular season records mean nothing this time of year. Packer HOF Finalist LeRoy Butler stated the exact sentiment on his radio show today. Three Home teams, New England, New Orleans and Philadelphia all lost. The team who gets hot and healthy in January is the team who usually prevails in the Super Bowl. In my opinion these two teams are nearly mirror images of one another. It also doesn’t matter if you win pretty or ugly or even pretty ugly, just get the W baby!

The Minnesota Vikings proved everyone wrong and produced the improbable victory over the heavily favored Drew Brees led New Orleans Saints. Thus making the match up between the Seahawks and Eagles the game to determine Green Bay’s opponent. We can be certain Packer’s Head Coach Matt LaFleur will have his team properly prepared for the Seahawks. QB Russell Wilson is a dual threat to beat you with both his legs and arm. Wilson is also extremely comfortable in Wisconsin, as he played one season for the UW Badgers. Please Packer fans ignore the facts that the Seahawks are 0-8 since 2003 and Russell Wilson is 0-3 at Lambeau. Please do know the Seahawks are 8-1 on the road and 11-2 in 1 score games this season. Conversely the Packers are 7-1 at home and have won 8, 1 score games. I can assure you this game will be hotly contested from beginning to end.

Defensive keys to a Packer victory will be, contain Russell Wilson and make him play from the pocket. The Packers must also play extremely tight on third down as the Seahawks appear to excel in converting third downs, 16 in the past two weeks. The emergence of Rookie WR DK Metcalf has definitely given Wilson a consistent, deep threat who possesses size (6’4″) and strength. Whoever Mike Pettine lines up opposite both Metcalf and Lockett will be facing a talented duo. Pettine has to keep Seattle guessing with his front seven.

Keys for Aaron Rodger’s and his offense begin with taking advantage of what Seattle’s defense will give him. Pete Carroll’s defense will attempt to limit Davante Adams and Aaron Jones opportunities in the Packer’s offense. A chess match will play out between LaFleur and Carroll. LaFleur will need to disguise his formations to force Carroll to react in a beneficial way for the Packers. Aaron Jones will still need twenty touches, with a dose of power RB Jamal Williams. Aaron Rodgers will need to find rhythm with multiple receivers. The routes will need to be precise and receivers must make the proper adjustments, while also finding holes in the Seahawks secondary. The Packers Oline needs to continue its’ recent domination. The turnover battle and special teams will also be essential factors to either team’s chances for victory.

I believe the Packers prevail in a higher scoring game than we saw in the Wild Card Round. I’m predicting the Packers win 31-17.

As Always, Go Pack Go!

PackerGreg