You may have forgotten, but it was only one short year ago that the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks faced off in the NFC divisional playoff.
Oh, what a difference a year makes. Only six weeks into the 2008 campaign, you can almost smell the stench of desperation coming from each of their respective locker rooms.
The two square off Sunday at Qwest Field in a season-defining game for both squads. The Packers will come in on a three-game losing streak, and the Seahawks are coming off a 44-6 slaughter at the hands of the New York Giants. Both desperately need to keep pace in their division races.
Five match-ups to watch on Sunday:
Seahawks' RB Julius Jones vs. Packers' Run Defense
The Packers have been absolutely gashed the past three games, giving up an average of 190 yards on the ground. If that doesn't improve in Seattle, Julius Jones could have a big day for the Seahawks.
Jones has 378 yards this season, averaging a respectable 4.8 yards a carry. With QB Matt Hasselbeck struggling thus far, expect coach Mike Holmgren to use a heavy load of Jones.
The film is out on the Packers this season, and it screams to whoever watching to run the ball right down Green Bay's throat. If the Packers don't contain Jones, the Packers will be in trouble.
Packers' Offensive Line vs. Seahawks' Pass Rush
When Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers gets time the throw the ball, he has been devastating to opposing defenses. However, it has been a different story when Rodgers has been pressured. Dallas sacked Rodgers five times, and Tampa Bay intercepted the Packers' QB three times by consistently pressuring him. The Packers will score points if Rodgers can be kept upright.
Seattle has the personnel to pressure Rodgers. DE Patrick Kerney has registered four sacks, and LB/DE Julian Peterson can be a disruptive force if not accounted for. LB Lofa Tatupa is an effective blitzer, and DE Lawrence Jackson has all the tools to be a good edge rusher for Seattle. This collective group needs to get pressure on Rodgers anyway possible.
The Packers' offensive line has been decimated by injuries, and LT Chad Clifton is the most recent casualty. He could be the Packers' best offensive lineman, but his status for the game Sunday is still up in the air. C Scott Wells has returned from a preseason injury but hasn't been as effective for the Packers as he was a season ago.
This unit will need to give Rodgers the time he needs to find the Packers' dangerous receivers down field.
Packers' RB Ryan Grant vs. Seahawks' Run Defense
To say Grant has struggled this season would be an understatement. After rushing for over 100 yards five times last season in 10 starts, Grant has yet to break the century mark. However, his production improved last week against Atlanta, posting 83 yards on 18 carries.
If there is a game where Grant needs to break out, it may be this one. The Seahawks were run-over last week in New York by RB Brandon Jacobs. Grant may not be as physically imposing as Jacobs, but there should still be opportunities for Grant to make plays.
Grant ran all over this defense in the NFC Divisional Playoff last season, posting over 200 yards and three touchdowns. I wouldn't expect similar numbers, but Grant should still break 100 yards for the first time this season. If he can, it will take enormous pressure off Rodgers and the Packers' ailing defense.
Seahawks' QB Matt Hasselbeck vs. Packers' Depleted Secondary
Hasselbeck has also struggled mightily to open the season. He has a passer rating of 57.7, with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Hasselbeck has a chance to turn around his struggles against a Packer secondary that will most likely be without CB Al Harris and S Atari Bigby.
However, the Seahawks also have considerable injuries in their receiver corps. Hasselbeck will be without starting WR Deion Branch and could be missing WR Koren Robinson as well.
Packers' CB Tramon Williams will have to continue his strong play since joining the starting lineup. Williams made a key interception in the end zone last week and has now posted an interception in each of his two starts this season.
CB Charles Woodson continues to play on a broken toe and without any practice during the week. Woodson has played admirably, despite the lingering injury, notching three interceptions for Green Bay.
Hasselbeck has to avoid turnovers against this ball-hawking squad but should be able to find open receivers against the Packers' depleted unit.
Green Bay Packers vs. Green Bay Packers
During the Packers' three-game losing streak, one could argue that no one has beat Green Bay besides themselves. Penalties, inconsistency, and lack of fundamentals have plagued this team throughout their win-less drought.
The Packers have to fix these problems before they can even think about winning. Green Bay has seemed very lackadaisical throughout the season, but they will have to play with enthusiasm to win in Seattle. The Packers go into this game as the superior team, injuries and all, but they will have to play the way they are fully capable of to win this game.
It's never a cake walk to walk out of Qwest Field with a win. But it's near impossible to win if you commit stupid penalties and make the same errors you have all season. Only the Green Bay Packers can beat the Green Bay Packers in this one.
Seattle plays host to Green Bay, Sunday, 4:15 ET, on FOX.
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3 months ago
These are indeed very key matchups. As a former ball player I can personally say that the one I think they should take to heart is beating themselves. The Packers I think have commited more penalties in these five games then most of last years combined. The vast majority coming from the Offensive Line and the Defensive Backfield. Though I have seen some very strange penalties already this year agains the Pack @.@.
Anyways if Grant is going to have a breakout game this is the time to do it. Qwest field is known for its noise..and after last years whipping they recieved..I'm sure the Hawks want vengeance. The receivers for Seattle have been operating on dry for some time now..but the one thing you can never do is underestimate your opponents. Especially since its a depleted secondary being led by the very stalward Woodson. The only good thing I can see coming from this is the fact that the Packer backups are getting some valuable experienc.
As for the Packer Defense, I am really looking for the Linebackers to make themselves known. Hawk is injurred yes, but Barnett and Poppinga are far from rookies. Some serious hitting has to be made on both Jones and Hassleback of possible. McCarthy said they would try to address the problems on Defense and approach them in a new way. I don't know about everyone else...but I am sick and tired of the non-aggressive approach Sanders continues to use. The bump and run does work..but it takes Veterans to pull it off..and I'm sorry to say they are fresh out of experience in the Packer defensive backfield. I want to see Hassleback run for his life! BLITZ!
Green and Gold Forever!
from 3 months ago
FYI. Carter: I keep seeing you spell injuries with an extra "r" so I now know it isn't a typo.
I agree with all the comments here: we have to do something to support the d-line in both pass rush and against the run. And if we can get the running game working, things could turn around. I look at this like Denver last year: we come in struggling to run, but play a horrible run D...maybe we can get Grant going this year like we did last.
3 months ago
I agree, Nick Barnett needs to start playing at the level he was last season. He was snubbed of the Pro Bowl last year, but he's only been average this season.
It would also be good to see the Packers put up 4-5 sacks...and they MUST stop Jones.
from 2 months ago
Yea MJ I tend to do that now and then. I don't check what I write half the time unfortunetly. Thanks for pointing it out though. I just want to see something aggressive again. If they could clog up the middle a bit better it would certainly free up Aaron Kampman so he could be paying the QB some nice visits.
2 months ago
Hasselbeck being out throws a wrinkle into everything, advantage Packers?
2 months ago
I don't know about that. As long as the Defense remains weak against the run I have my doubts. If they can stop Jones it's in the bag.
2 months ago
But realistically, facing Frye or Hasselbeck is an advantage no matter how bad he's played this year.
2 months ago
1. Packers shut down Jones for only 44 yards (check)
2. Kept Rodgers upright, 2 sacks(check)
3. Ryan Grant rushes over 30 times for 90 yards (check)
4. Held Frye under 100 yards passing (check)
5. Only 5 penalties for 45 yards (check)
Packers were 5/5 on my list and it equaled a WIN.
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