Rashan Gary and the Packers beat up Geno Smith in Green Bay’s victory on Sunday evening towards the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
It’s laborious to imagine the Green Bay Packers are the third-best crew in their very own division.
The Packers are 10-4 and every of their losses have come towards an elite crew. And on Sunday evening they regarded like among the best groups in soccer, even when their ceiling might be the No. 6 seed within the NFC playoffs.
The Packers throttled a Seattle Seahawks crew that had taken over first place within the NFC West after a sizzling streak, profitable 30-13 on Sunday evening. The Seahawks misplaced Geno Smith to a knee harm within the second half, however they had been getting blown out earlier than that harm occurred. Seattle wasn’t in the identical league as Green Bay on both facet of the ball.
The Packers have the dangerous luck of being within the NFC North with the 12-2 Detroit Lions and the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, who play on Monday evening. They’d run away with a number of different divisions. Based on what we noticed Sunday evening, the NFC West is probably going one in every of them.
Packers have an amazing 1st half
Seattle is just not a simple place to play. Especially with the Seahawks coming in with a four-game profitable streak since their bye.
The Packers had been unfazed. They weren’t good within the first half, however they scored on all 4 first-half possessions. Josh Jacobs scored on a 1-yard landing run on Green Bay’s first drive, then Romeo Doubs caught a 13-yard landing to push the result in 14-0. The Packers received two extra discipline targets earlier than the tip of the half. They led 20-0 at halftime.
The protection was simply nearly as good. The Packers put numerous strain on Smith. Corey Valentine virtually picked off Smith deep in Packers territory, then on the following play Smith threw one up wildly to the tip zone and Valentine picked him off. That got here with the Seahawks trailing 17-3 and killed any momentum they could have been gaining.
Seattle had performed nicely to rally and take over first place of the NFC West. Then, at residence in prime time, the Seahawks regarded like they belonged on a a lot decrease tier than the Packers.
Geno Smith injured for Seahawks
The Seahawks needed to flip to Sam Howell at quarterback within the second half. Smith injured his knee when he landed on a success. He slammed his helmet in frustration as he got here out of the sport, then slowly walked again to the locker room to get additional analysis.
Howell is a mistake-prone quarterback however he could make performs. He led a scoring drive that ended with a Zach Charbonnet 24-yard landing run, which lower Green Bay’s result in 23-13. The Seahawks received a three-and-out after that, however after they received the ball again they made the questionable resolution to punt on fourth-and-5, which made it very robust for them to get again within the recreation.
Seattle received a cease on fourth-and-2 later within the fourth quarter however Howell threw an interception proper after that, which virtually sealed the Packers’ win. Doubs’ second landing of the sport a number of performs later, a unbelievable catch in the long run zone proper earlier than the ball hit the bottom, put the ultimate nail in it.
The Packers will likely be a harmful crew within the playoffs. Jordan Love is getting more healthy and enjoying nicely. Jacobs has given them a harmful run recreation. The protection is able to enjoying at a excessive stage. It could be among the best third-place groups the NFL has ever seen.
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Geno Smith to the locker room
Geno Smith was simply noticed strolling to the locker room, and the Seahawks are calling him questionable with a knee harm.
For extra on Geno Smith’s harm, click on right here.
Final Stats
Packers: 30
Jordan Love: 20-27, 229 yards, 2 TDs
Josh Jacobs: 94 yards, 1 TD on 26 carries
Christian Watson: 56 yards on 3 catches
Seahawks: 13
Geno Smith: 15-19, 149 yards, 1 INT
Zach Charbonnet: 54 yards, 1 TD on 8 carries
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 83 yards on 10 catches
Final: Packers 30, Seahawks 13
And we’re completed right here. The Packers enhance to 10-4 and are proper within the combine within the NFC playoff race.
The Seahawks, then again, are actually 8-6 and may very well be with out their beginning quarterback through the last stretch of the season.
Touchdown, Packers
What a catch from Doubs! He simply barely made the seize behind the tip zone, and the Packers are actually up 30-13. What a ridiculous seize.
And there’s an interception from Sam Howell. That ought to nearly do it right here.
Josh Jacobs simply tried to transform on fourth-and-2, however he will get stuffed on the line of scrimmage. Sam Howell will come again out for the Seahawks now to begin their drive at their very own 39.
They want to seek out the tip zone right here fast if they will have any shot at profitable this recreation.
The Packers misplaced the problem, however the Seahawks cannot get something going and can now punt it away. They practically recovered the punt after the Packers muffed the return, however could not fairly provide you with it.
So Jordan Love and the Packers will take over now with 9:32 left.
Packers problem
Sam Howell received his as he threw there on first down, and it regarded like an incomplete move. But the Packers are difficult that it was a ahead move in any respect. So, to the evaluate we go.
There was a lot strain there on Jordan Love, and the Seahawks have pressured one other three-and-out. The momentum has utterly shifted right here even with Geno Smith sidelined.
Sam Howell is coming again out to steer Seattle beginning at their very own 32 yard line.
Touchdown, Seahawks
Zach Charbonnet breaks across the finish and into the tip zone to present the Seahawks their first landing of the evening. It’s out of the blue a 10-point recreation with 11:16 to go.
The Seahawks wanted that. Josh Jacobs had the ball punched out, and Seattle will take over in Green Bay territory.
That’s three straight incomplete passes from Sam Howell, two of which might’ve been intercepted. They’ll need to punt once more, this time from the again of their very own finish zone.
The Seahawks protection is holding robust. They pressured a three-and-out, and can get the ball again now inside their very own 5 yard line.
Well, that did not go nicely for Sam Howell. The Packers simply sacked him twice, and the Seahawks should punt now to open the fourth quarter after we come again.
Golic mentioned it completely…
Packers 23, Seahawks 6
The Packers made it right down to the 5 yard line, however need to accept a brief discipline aim. Sam Howell will come again out now to steer
The Packers take a deep shot straight away, and Josh Jobe will get known as for a foul move interference penalty. Green Bay is out of the blue in scoring place right here.
Sam Howell cannot get it completed, and the Seahawks need to accept a discipline aim. It’s higher than nothing, however the Packers nonetheless lead 20-6 now with about 6 minutes left within the third quarter.
Still no phrase on Geno Smith’s leg harm.
Geno Smith damage
The Packers simply pressured Geno Smith, who threw it away efficiently in teh backfield. He received hit within the ankles as he removed the ball, although, and was extremely gradual to stand up.
Sam Howell is coming in now to interchange him.
The Seahawks simply pressured the primary Packers punt of the evening. They’ll begin now with nice discipline place midway by means of the third quarter. Points listed below are a should if they will get again on this factor.
That was an amazing begin to the third quarter for the Seahawks, however a pair of penalties pushed them again to a third-and-29. They’re going to need to punt now, and Green Bay will take over for the primary time this half.
