Green Bay Packers @ Seahawks Seahawks || NFL '14 Thursday Night Kickoff 8:30ET

[BC 331]

Green Bay Packers (8-7-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

Cheesehead.com's thought-provoking keys to the game

1. Broken Plays
This game may very well be won by the quarterback that creates the greatest number of opportunities outside the pocket. Aaron Rodgers is the most deadly thrower in the game on the run, regardless of whether he's escaping the pocket to his left or right. He'll be facing arguably the NFL's best pass rush, and in a raucous environment that favors the defense getting off the ball.

Russell Wilson has improved in the pocket every season, but he's still the most dangerous when creating space and puncturing outside containment. He's creative in eluding pressure and his eyes always remain down field. If Rodgers is the best when a play breaks down, Wilson is probably a close second. He'll face a Packers defense that is rightfully more confident in its ability to create pressure, both off the edge (with Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and a host of outside 'backers) and on the interior, where Mike Daniels creates constant havoc.
Neither of these offensive lines can be supremely confident in its ability to keep the opposing pass rush off the quarterback, so expect Rodgers and Wilson to be creating on the move. Making the most of broken opportunities is especially important to the Packers offense, given how adhesive the Seattle secondary can be against the passing game.

2. Stopping the Run
Neither head coach has been (nor needs to be) secretive about the importance of the Seattle run game. Mike McCarthy and the Packers know the Seahawks want to pound their workhorse running back as often as possible. "It all starts with run defense," McCarthy said, before stating the obvious. "They are going to give the ball to Marshawn Lynch." Pete Carroll said Monday that the Seahawks will "run the football like crazy, if we're fortunate (enough) to."

Seattle has finished first or second in rushing attempts each of the last two seasons. The Seahawks do not possess a dominant run-blocking offensive line, but Darrell Bevel sticks with it and Lynch—like Eddie Lacy—can demoralize a front late in games. The Packers' new-look defensive line fit the run well during the preseason, but this is now an undersized unit that will start Letroy Guion, who played all of nine preseason snaps, at nose tackle. The Seahawks will likely feel good about their chances to beat the Packers up the middle, where Guion and Josh Boyd man the nose and Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk patrol the second level. Green Bay's interior defense needs to play well.

3. Russell's Muscle
When the Packers traveled to Seattle in 2012, Wilson was still nothing more than a caretaker of the offense. The Seahawks didn't put a lot on his plate in terms of throwing the football, instead relying on a running game and defense to wear out opponents. He threw just 21 passes.
Now, Wilson is less game manager and more playmaker, and he's perfectly capable of winning a game on his own. All his decisions are coming faster as the game slows down. The preseason generally means nothing, but no quarterback was better during August, when Wilson led 13 drives that netted 11 scores and nine touchdowns. He completed almost 79 percent of his passes and had a 133.8 passer rating. Credit Wilson for winning a Super Bowl and then still making a noticeable jump the very next offseason.
And don't forget about his home splits; Wilson has a 112.8 rating over 16 regular-season home games, with 31 touchdowns, seven interceptions and just a single loss. He'll be overflowing with confidence Thursday. A much bigger test awaits the Packers pass defense Thursday than two years ago.

4. Offensive Line
The Packers know how quickly things can get out of hand up front against Seattle. Eight sacks allowed over just thirty minutes of football back in 2012 standout as one of the lowest points for the Green Bay offensive line in recent memory. The task of staying in front of the Seattle pass rushers will be no easier Thursday.
Maybe no defensive line in the game is more flexible and versatile in terms of creating pressure. Michael Bennett moves all over the line. Cliff Avril has speed off the edge. Brandon Mebane is an underrated pocket collapser on the interior. Seattle can even rush Bruce Irvin (who gave Bryan Bulaga nightmares in 2012) from the linebacker position or bring on O'Brien Schofield, another versatile rusher who had a strong preseason. The Seahawks will mix and match personnel groupings until they find one that gives the right matchup.
Can the Packers offensive line rise to the occasion? Even with rookie Corey Linsley at center, Green Bay is likely putting its best front-five on the field in some time. No set of circumstances—both in opposing personnel and noise environment—will provide the offensive line a bigger challenge this season.

5. Lacy's Impact
Rodgers needs to play well for the Packers to win, but no player will have a bigger say in Green Bay's fortunes against Seattle than Lacy. There's no arbitrary number of carries or yards needed from Lacy to ensure a win. But if the Seahawks take him away, it's probably game over, good night.
Seattle allowed an average of 137 rushing yards in its three losses last season. The Packers finally settled down back in 2012 when McCarthy stopped spreading the field and instead went power football with Cedric Benson. The young, powerful Lacy is light years better than an over-the-hill Benson. "He's a hammer," Carroll said. "We have a lot of respect for him."
The Seahawks will be ready for his physicality because they tackle Lynch in practice every day. Yet Lacy's vision and patience ensures he doesn't need to break tackles to be effective. Then again, he broke six tackles on just 11 carries this preseason. Green Bay can give the Seahawks a big dose of their own medicine by pounding Lacy Thursday night.

Prediction: Seahawks 30, Packers 22 (Last season: 11-6)
The continued progression of Russell Wilson makes the Seahawks as complete a football team as the NFL can offer. CenturyLink Field should welcome home the defending champs with an electric atmosphere. Few teams will face a task as steep as this one. The Packers come up short in the opener, but a rematch in January—potentially with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line—feels like a very real possibility for two of the elite teams in the NFC.

Yahoo Game Preview

The Seattle Seahawksbenefited from a memorable, but controversial, call to beat Green Bay the last time the Packers visited in 2012.



Picks & Odds

GB 28% SEA 72%



As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks have since proved they're capable of handling the NFL's top teams on their own while rising to the top of the league.
Eager to build on their championship season, the Seahawks face the Packers in front of what's sure to be a raucous crowd Thursday night.

"We've all been waiting to get this thing started," coach Pete Carroll, whose team is 15-1 at home during the regular season the past two years, told the Seahawks' official website.
A team that led the NFL in scoring defense (14.4 points per game) and average yards allowed (273.6), capped a stellar 13-3 season by stymieing Peyton Manning and Denver's league-leading offense in the 43-8 Super Bowl XLVIII rout.
With that defense pretty much intact and the improvement of quarterback Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch in the backfield and a healthy Percy Harvin, Seattle remains the class of the league.

''They play with a lot of confidence, have a little swagger about 'em, and it's a tough place to play," Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.
Lynch has rushed for 4,624 yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season since joining the Seahawks in 2010.
A hip injury limited Harvin to one regular-season game in 2013, but he recovered from that and a concussion in time to rush twice for 45 yards and return the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a TD in the Super Bowl.
Wilson, meanwhile, posted a 101.2 passer rating that was seventh in the NFL last season. His 112.8 rating at home the last two seasons trails only Drew Brees and Manning. His 31 TDs during that span are tied for fourth.
He also looked sharp guiding an offense that recorded nine touchdowns and two field goals in 13 possessions with him on the field in four preseason games.





''I think you have to be very impressed with their offense,'' Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. ''On Russell Wilson and their ability to stay in favorable down and distance and keep the mix of the run and the pass.




"They've always been outstanding running the football, but they look like they're a lot more balanced now.''

That's one of many challenges facing the Packers, but another they confidently welcome on a primetime stage.

"We knew when the (2013) season was over that we were traveling to play Seattle. So, heck, why not do it Week 1," McCarthy said.

The last time the teams met in Seattle, the Seahawks concluded a 14-12 victory Sept. 24, 2012, in a much-talked about fashion.

With the clock winding down, Wilson heaved a desperation pass from Green Bay's 39-yard line into the end zone and the replacement officials ruled that Golden Tate scored while gaining simultaneous possession with defensive back M.D. Jennings. The play instantly became known as ''The Fail Mary,'' and within days the NFL settled its labor dispute with referees.

"Those things happen," Carroll said. "It's what makes us keep coming back. We love the games. We watch so much because of the surprise and the uniqueness of the experience all the time.''

With Tate in Detroit and Jennings in Chicago, neither can reminisce about the moment Thursday, and it likely won't be on the mind of those current Packers come kickoff.
With Rodgers prepared to play a full season after missing seven games with a collarbone injury and reigning offensive rookie of the year Eddie Lacy in the backfield, the Packers expect to again be balanced while challenging for a fourth straight NFC Central title.
In limited time, Rodgers ranked fifth with a 104.9 passer rating while throwing for 2,536 yards with 17 TDs and six interceptions.
Lacy finally provided the Packers with some balance as they tied for fourth in the league at 4.7 yards per carry and ranked seventh averaging 133.5 per contest after averaging no more than 106.4 the previous three seasons.
Lacy's 1,178 yards ranked eighth and his 11 touchdowns were third in the NFL.
With receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as Rodgers' main targets, the Packers plan to be even harder to stop by incorporating more no-huddle sets.
''We're going to try to go out and do what we do best and that's our no-huddle," said Nelson, who set career highs with 85 catches and 1,314 yards last season.
"Speed the tempo up and try to be successful."
The Packers' main area of concern again falls on protecting Rodgers, whose 139 times sacked since 2010 are the most among NFC quarterbacks. He was sacked eight times while throwing for 223 yards and no touchdowns at Seattle in 2012.
Chris Clemons recorded four of them, but he and defensive tackle Red Bryant are in Jacksonville. However, Michael Bennett and Chris Avril return after combining for 16 1/2 sacks last season.
Green Bay was tied for 24th in scoring defense (26.8 ppg) and 25th in average yards allowed (372.3) last year, but hopes the addition of Julius Peppers and his 118 1/2 career sacks and first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will help improve that unit.
Clay Matthews is back after a thumb injury forced him to miss five games and the 23-20 playoff loss to San Francisco.
Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, however, was lost to a season-ending biceps injury.

RotoWorld Game Preview

Thursday Night Football

Green Bay @ Seattle

I fully expect the 2014 Packers to be a prolific team, pushing for the NFL lead in points scored. Fantasy is a week-to-week game, however, and each week should be evaluated independently. Beyond Seattle's oft-impenetrable defense, a primary Week 1 concern for Green Bay's offense is rookie C Corey Linsley, thrust into a starting job following J.C. Tretter's multi-week knee injury. A fifth-round pick, undersized Linsley (6'3/296) will contend with interior Seahawks behemoths Brandon Mebane (6'1/311), Kevin Williams (6'5/311), and Tony McDaniel (6'7/305) -- on the road at deafening CenturyLink Field. Linsley performed well in August, but didn't take a single exhibition-game snap with Aaron Rodgers. I don't think Linsley's presence will torpedo the offense, but it's definitely a potential obstacle. ... The Packers emphasize wide receiver versatility as much as any team at football. Jordy Nelson can play the slot and outside, as can Randall Cobb. In the old James Jonesrole, Jarrett Boykin will primarily align on the perimeter, meaning he'll deal with Seattle's shutdown tandem of LCBRichard Sherman and RCB Byron Maxwell early and often. The Seahawks do not use Sherman in shadow coverage. Nelson and Cobb are every-week fantasy starters, but expectations should probably be checked in this matchup. This is not a great week to start Boykin.

Rodgers has faced Pete Carroll just once since Carroll took over as Seahawks coach in 2010: in September of 2012, when Seattle's defense wasn't as good as it is now. Carroll's unit held Rodgers to 26-of-39 passing (66.7%) for 223 yards without a touchdown, and 17 rushing yards. Green Bay punted on 6-of-9 possessesions, and Rodgers was sacked eight times. You didn't draft Rodgers to bench him, but he's someone to avoid on FanDuel this week. Among lower-end QB1s, I think Carson Palmer (vs. SD), Russell Wilson (vs. GB), Colin Kaepernick (@ DAL), and Jay Cutler (vs. BUF) are all better bets. ... Look for in-line veteran Andrew Quarless and rookie Richard Rodgers to handle Green Bay's tight end duties. Although Rodgers has been billed as a sleeper in some circles, nothing about him jumps off the page aside from sheer opportunity. He's an average athlete (4.87 forty, 31.5-inch vertical), and scored two touchdowns in his college career. This preseason, Rodgers secured 4-of-7 targets for 67 yards. Until I see something that changes my mind, I'm not viewing Rodgers as an enticing fantasy stash. Quarless is blocker and desperation check-down target. ... There's a good chance Eddie Lacy will be Green Bay's best means of moving the ball Thursday night. Seattle's run defense is slightly less stout than its pass defense, generally speaking, and frequent handoffs could be one way to combat pass-game miscommunications caused by crowd noise. A true three-down back, Lacy will stay on the field and catch high-percentage passes if the Packers fall behind. This is one of the toughest matchups he'll face all year, but Lacy is a locked-in RB1.

Two of my favorite fantasy analysts -- Denny Carter & Matt Waldman -- have forecasted a breakout season forRussell Wilson. Carter believes Wilson could finish as a top-three QB1. I definitely think it's within the realm of possibility. The Seahawks' preseason deployment suggested this may be the year they hand Wilson the offensive reins, after utilizing him as a game manager his first two years. Not only was Wilson a marksman in August -- 33-of-42 (78.6%) for 437 yards (10.4 YPA) with six all-purpose TDs and zero turnovers -- he played the second most exhibition snaps of all NFL starting QBs, behind only E.J. Manuel, and was given more freedom to make plays both within and outside the design of OC Darrell Bevell's offense. Marshawn Lynch is entering his last year with Seattle, while Wilson's pass-catching corps is deeper than ever. Green Bay's defense should be improved from 2013, but it's nowhere near a shutdown unit. Here are Wilson's home-game stats over his first two regular seasons: 64.4% completions, 31:7 TD-to-INT ratio, 8.75 YPA, and a pair of rushing scores. For what it's worth, his home won-loss record is 15-1. ... The Seahawks will remain a balanced offense, with Lynch carrying the mail. GM John Schneider's offseason willingness to appease Lynch monetarily is an indication Seattle has no plans to scale back Beast Mode's workload. Lynch is an elite RB1 against Green Bay, which lost NT B.J. Raji (torn biceps) and promising rookie DE/DTKhyri Thornton (torn hamstring) to I.R. this preseason. The Packers are undermanned up front. Lynch is a multiple-TD candidate on Thursday night.

I charted all of Wilson's preseason throws, and here's how his targets were distributed: Percy Harvin 8; Jermaine Kearse 7; Luke Willson 6; Doug Baldwin and Christine Michael 5; Robert Turbin and Zach Miller 3; Phil Bates,Bryan Walters, and Cooper Helfet 1. ... Pass catchers are generally all role players in Bevell's offense. No player is likely to be targeted heavily in a particular game, although Harvin will always be the best fantasy bet. I didn't love Harvin's fourth-round ADP and believe he could be something of a week-to-week headache because of the way the Seahawks play, but he'll definitely offer a high weekly ceiling. I don't think the Packers have a single defender capable of guarding Harvin one on one. One area to not underestimate Harvin is in the rushing category. The Seahawks will line him up in some two-back sets with Lynch. ... Ordinarily a slot receiver, Baldwin could be a bit stretched in the oldGolden Tate "X" role. Look for Baldwin to be mostly covered by Packers top CB Sam Shields in this game. Baldwin is a low-ceiling WR3 option. ... Kearse is a jump-ball specialist with a growing role. At 6'1/209, Kearse is the biggest of Seattle's wideouts, and quietly turned four of his 22 receptions last season into touchdowns. He's more of a fantasy WR4/5, but expect a 2014 step forward. .. Sophomore TE Willson also looks primed for more snaps. At 6-foot-5, 251 with 4.51 speed and a 38-inch vertical, Wilson is a seam stretcher with red-zone chops, He's on the TE2 radar and could cut heavily into Miller's pass-game usage.

Score Prediction: Seahawks 28, Packers 20

Not sure I've ever been more excited for a regular season NFL game. These are quite possibly the two best teams in the NFC. Not only do we have two really complete offenses with some of the better skill position players in the league, but it is already a really huge deal for the city of Seattle. The city is really embracing the momentum from the kickoff marathon, the concert, the raising of the city's first championship banner of a true world-beater sports team, and the work ethic & hunger of all the young world class athletes on the team has really rubbed off and carried the region as there really hasn't been this magnitude of a wave to ride. Seattle is more-so than ever one of the better football cities as of this year. Just this stage and who we're up against alone has every individual within the organization hungry to defend that world-beating stamp.

It seems as though Russell Wilson and the coaching staff is out to turn RW loose even more having him scramble to create new pockets, let receivers take advantage of the new rules, have guys get open and wear defenses down this way. It has been the defenses' glory to this point, but Russell is going to continue climbing into his prime and further prove to be one of the best quarterbacks not in terms of quantity in his stats, but the wins, and efficiency.

RW and LOB have big games, Lacy has a good game but Rodgers throws just 1 TD and 2 picks. Hawks improve home record since '12 to 18-1.

 

31
16

Edited September 3, 2014 by BC

[RazorStar 4,025]

It's almost here. I can barely contain myself.

[theMileHighGuy 656]

 

 

27 - 20

[Bay 2,003]

Packers make things interesting, but can't do what the Cardinals did.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Seahawks look overwhelmed, everyone forgets they won a Superbowl sometime in recent history.

Packers - 42
Seahawks - 17

[Cherry 1,302]

27 24 Edited September 3, 2014 by Chernobyl426

[Sparty 110]

17

 

24

[Attyla the Hawk 197]

Seahawks look overwhelmed, everyone forgets they won a Superbowl sometime in recent history.

 

Packers - 42

Seahawks - 17

 

Bold pick. I'd flip it. I think this offense is going to explode (not implode) this year.

 

Of interest though, is Seattle is currently tied with the 2009-2011 Packers at 46 straight games where they've not lost by more than 7 points. It's been since the dumpster fire year of 2010 where we lost 9 games by 15+ points.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Attyla the Hawk

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Unlikely, my guess is the impenetrable Hawks defense looks dazed and confused -- as if they don't actually know where they are or that they are even playing football.

Those streak don't last forever. The Packers have as good of, if not a better chance to break that streak than anyone in the league. And it would be very poetic end, as well.

Also, it's probably unlikely because he looked meh to average in the preseason but I hope Linsley tears someone a new asshole:

Corey Linsley will start at center for the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night in the loudest stadium in the NFL, CenturyLink Field, without having had a single snap with quarterbackAaron Rodgers in preseason play.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin can't help but feel sorry for him.

"I'm going to pray for him," Irvin told reporters Tuesday. "It's going to be a long night, man. We've got to just take advantage of it."

 

Edited September 3, 2014 by Favre4Ever

[BC 331]

^ Would you bank on coming here in January and winning? Either way I think it's pretty assumed both teams will go far this year. It's more than likely one of these two are in the SB regardless of tomorrow. Perhaps the healthiest of the two. These are the two most balanced attacks. It will come down to the Packers up front being able to take away Wilson's legs and stop Lynch. Peppers and Mathews will have to have career best caliber performances.

Edited September 3, 2014 by BC

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

27

38

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

^ Would you bank on coming here in January and winning? Either way I think it's pretty assumed both teams will go far this year. It's more than likely one of these two are in the SB regardless of tomorrow. Perhaps the healthiest of the two. These are the two most balanced attacks. It will come down to the Packers up front being able to take away Wilson's legs and stop Lynch. Peppers and Mathews will have to have career best caliber performances.

I have the confidence that we can line up against anyone, anywhere, and come out with the victory. Doesn't mean it will happen that way, but it's how each week should be looked upon for a team who has real Super Bowl aspirations.

 

With that said, I wouldn't feel totally comfortable saying we will have to go to Seattle twice and win both. So... We either have to sacrifice the opener in order to crush your faces come playoff time (should we meet). Or we crush you tomorrow, have a better season... And make you come to Lambeau.

 

I'm banking on the latter.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Just to be clear.. BC and I have a ban bet going on. Loser is banned until some random time next Thursday (before the game / pre-game so we don't miss any of Week 2).

You can all thank me later, because really either way.. The site wins.

[RazorStar 4,025]

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Just to be clear.. BC and I have a ban bet going on. Loser is banned until some random time next Thursday (before the game / pre-game so we don't miss any of Week 2).

 

You can all thank me later, because really either way.. The site wins.

 

A tie tho...

[Thanatos 2,847]

24

20

 

A-Rod adds to his horrible record in one-score games.

[Dutch 874]

27

 

23

[KempBolt 498]

I think the Hawks take it, but I can envision a Packer victory IF Sweaty Lacy has hisself a big game. If he goes over 120 yards, the Pack are definitely going to have a great shot. That said, I don't pick against this SEA team when they're at home.

 

24

 

27

[Bay 2,003]

23

31

[.AirMcNair. 1,232]

 

A tie tho...

 

Both get banned?

 

Lets hope for a tie.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

Seattle Seahawks, prepare to meet Superbowl Hangover.

 

I've got the Packers all the way in this one.

 

Packers 35

Seahawks 24

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Packers declared WR Jeff Janis, QB Scott Tolzien, TE Brandon Bostick, CB Demetri Goodson, LB Carl Bradford, DT Mike Pennel and LB Jayrone Elliott inactive for Week 1 against the Seahawks.

An upside seventh-round project out of small-school Saginaw Valley, Janis isn't yet ready to be active on game days. With Tolzien inactive, the Pack are going with just Matt Flynn behind Aaron Rodgers. Bostick (leg) is week to week.

 

 

 

Seahawks declared RB Christine Michael, WR Jordan Norwood, CB Tharold Simon, TE Cooper Helfet, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, WR Phil Bates and DE Greg Scruggs.

Michael is week to week, leaving Robert Turbin with some breathing room as Marshawn Lynch's top backup. A fourth-rounder out of Alabama, Norwood will likely be a fixture on the inactives list.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Lol at Demetri Goodson and Carl Bradford stealing roster spots from guys like Jumal Rolle and Chris Banjo, who are currently occupying the PS.

Also sad that Scott is inactive, because that means Matt Flynn is still the #2, which is a complete and utter joke.Also shocking that Pennel is inactive, I don't think we have anyone to play nose now behind Guion.. Unless we are going to have Josh Boyd back up every spot on the Dline...

Very, very thin there depending on how much you see the 3 man front and how often guys like Julius Peppers and Mike Neal put their hand in the dirt.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Ariana Grande.... She's good.

[KempBolt 498]

If Carp and Sweezy are as much improved as they look tonight... trouble.