The Green Bay Packers (9-4) and Seattle Seahawks (8-5) will face off Sunday evening at Lumen Field in what may very well be a playoff preview between one of many high contenders for a wildcard spot and the present NFC West leaders. In truth, if the season ended in the present day, the Packers could be enjoying the Seahawks in Seattle within the wildcard spherical.
Can the Packers — who haven’t gained in Seattle since 2008 — bounce again from a hard-fought loss in Detroit final Thursday evening and beat the Seahawks in primetime?
Here are 5 issues to look at and a prediction for Week 15:
JSN and Charbonnet
Coach Matt LaFleur stated the Packers did in depth pre-draft work on receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and working again Zach Charbonnet, two of the go-to weapons for the Seahawks getting into Sunday evening. Smith-Njigba has blossomed into one of many NFL’s high slot targets, whereas Charbonnet — who is anticipated to begin instead of Kenneth Walker III — is coming off a recreation by which he produced nearly 200 complete yards final week. Expect the Seahawks to feed each of them in opposition to the Packers. Jeff Hafley’s protection will want solutions.
Offensive line bounce again?
The Packers struggled to dam the Lions’ backup defensive entrance final week in Detroit, particularly within the run recreation and in opposition to blitzes early. Can the offensive line bounce again in opposition to a robust Seahawks entrance in Seattle? The Seahawks have 5 pass-rushers with 30 or extra pressures, and so they’ve stuffed the run over the past 4 weeks. Lumen Field will probably be loud. The Packers should be a lot better up entrance — each when it comes to opening holes for Josh Jacobs and defending Jordan Love — to beat the Seahawks on Sunday evening.
Love vs. ascending protection
Jordan Love is first in yards per try, second in EPA/play and third in passer score over the past 4 video games. The Seahawks protection, in the meantime, is No. 1 in EPA/dropback over the identical timeframe. Love is lastly wholesome, and he’s been extra correct and extra cellular for the reason that bye. The Seahawks are giving up simply 15.5 factors per recreation over a stretch in opposition to Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray (twice) and Aaron Rodgers. This is an effective check for each — can Love maintain enjoying at a excessive stage in opposition to an ascending protection, or will the Seahawks show their would possibly defensively?
Pass-rush stress
Geno Smith is finishing 76.4 % of his passes from clear pockets this season — solely three quarterbacks have been higher. Also, no quarterback has been beneath extra stress this season than Smith, who has 200 dropbacks beneath stress. He’s thrown 10 picks in opposition to stress. The Packers should stress Smith on Sunday evening. Seattle’s offensive line didn’t hand over a sack final week however has principally struggled to guard the passer this season. The weak factors look like on the suitable facet of the road. The Packers should take benefit. This could be a superb time to get the four-man pass-rush going.
Big check for CBs
The Packers will probably be with out Jaire Alexander and Javon Bullard, two most popular starters at cornerback. More than doubtless, Keisean Nixon will transfer into the slot with Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes dealing with the perimeter in opposition to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks are a pass-happy offense, and Geno Smith is an skilled and correct passer. Can the Packers cornerbacks maintain up in protection? Surviving would possibly require a giant efficiency up entrance from the pass-rush.
Prediction: Packers 27, Seahawks 24 (7-6)
The Packers have been one play away from beating the Lions in Detroit final Thursday evening, so inner perception in going into Seattle and profitable must be excessive, particularly coming off the mini-bye and contemplating Jordan Love’s play over the past month. Then once more, the Seahawks have gained 4 straight video games, have playmakers throughout on offense and might win battles up entrance defensively with a deep pass-rushing core. Throw in a playoff-like environment in Seattle, the place the Packers haven’t gained since 2008, and the problem is evident. This recreation seems like a tossup. So, what must you do while you see a tossup? Go with the prediction you need. In what may very well be a back-and-forth contest, I feel Love makes one large play and the protection pressures Geno Smith in a single large second to assist the Packers escape with a slender (however crucial) win.
