Packers vs. Seahawks: Top Fantasy Bets, Predictions for 2015 NFC Championship
The obvious Super Bowl implications at stake will be the only thing on the minds of Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers players during the NFC Championship Game. But boy, do the details matter.
Whether it's taking action on a favorable spread, or getting into some postseason fantasy football, the way in which the game unfolds will loom large for a number of reasons. It will inevitably end with one team celebrating a trip to Glendale, Arizona, and the other peeling confetti pieces off their disappointed heads, but who stands out from the pack will have a far-reaching impact.
There's no time to waste with Sunday fast approaching, so let's go ahead and break down some fantasy and game predictions below.
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| Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3:05 p.m. | Fox | SEA -7.5 | Seahawks 30-18 |
Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated January 16
| QB Russell Wilson | 230 passing yards, 60 rushing yards, 2 TDs |
| RB Marshawn Lynch | 120 rushing yards, TD |
| WR Doug Baldwin | 60 receiving yards, TD |
| WR Jermaine Kearse | 75 receiving yards |
| QB Aaron Rodgers | 275 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT |
| RB Eddie Lacy | 45 rushing yards |
| WR Jordy Nelson | 75 receiving yards, TD |
| WR Randall Cobb | 80 receiving yards |
Fantasy Stud to Watch: Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch
It's the playoffs, Seattle is playing at home and Marshawn Lynch is going up against a below-average rushing defense—sounds like a recipe for more Beast Mode.
The Seahawks have never shied away from their place as the most rushing-led team in the NFL, ranking atop the league with a whopping 172.6 yards per game on the ground. Lynch alone is responsible for a heap of them, going for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.
| 2014 Week 1 | 20 | 110 | 2 |
| 2012 Week 3 | 25 | 98 | 0 |
Even after failing to make an impact in the first half against Carolina last weekend, Lynch broke out with a big second half and finished with 59 yards rushing. But he's set for a much more typical postseason performance against Green Bay.
The Packers rank a lowly 23rd against the run this season and also gave up 110 yards on the ground to Lynch in Week 1. His two touchdowns helped to seal the deal for a dominant 36-16 Seahawks win.
Hines Ward noted how Packers linebacker Clay Matthews will have to step up to limit Lynch, per Pro Football Talk via NBC Sports Network:
It's a double-edged sword for Matthews and the Packers. If their best pass-rusher is relegated to keeping the run bottled up, mobile quarterback Russell Wilson will gash them with his own legs or at least have plenty more time in the pocket.
With how dangerous Wilson is in the open field, Green Bay won't be able to focus primarily on Lynch like it needs to. Like Dallas' DeMarco Murray did in the second half against the Packers last week, Lynch will take over the game in the second half with a number of beastly runs.
Fantasy Bust to Avoid: Packers RB Eddie Lacy
Whether the scoreboard forces them to abandon the run, or the Seahawks defense simply puts the clamps on it, it's hard to envision Eddie Lacy having a big day in Sunday's game.
Perhaps it can't be taken any other way, but this isn't a knock on Lacy. He's been an absolute beast in the season's second half, averaging 99 yards per game in each of his last seven appearances—including a divisional-round win over the Cowboys.
So, this isn't a knock on Lacy but rather a ringing endorsement of the unstoppable defense—and offense—he's going up against.
The Seahawks had Lacy's number in Week 1, reducing him to his lowest output of the season—34 yards on 12 carries. His lack of production forced Green Bay to look toward James Starks, a name Pack fans haven't heard much with Lacy's consistency.
What will factor into Lacy's bust performance more than anything is what is going on under center. Aaron Rodgers will be hobbled again by the injured calf that made him immobile against Dallas, and the Seahawks should be expected to bring pressure, as former player Shawne Merriman noted:
But a tough-nosed defense like Seattle knows better than most that plugging up the run is the best way to put pressure on a quarterback. And seeing how effective Lacy has been as of late, that will be priority No. 1 for the Seahawks.
Seattle's offense will take control of the game as the second half comes around, which will leave Rodgers looking to air it out even more. After bottling up Lacy in the game's early goings, the Packers will have to abandon the run for any hope of winning.
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