Green Bay Packers keys to victory against Seattle Seahawks
The Green Bay Packers face a daunting challenge on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, where they are scheduled be a bigger underdog than they have at any point in Aaron Rodgers‘ career. This is a meeting of an elite offense versus an elite defense, an immovable object versus an unstoppable force, and the Green Bay Packers will need to play their finest football of the season if they hope to keep it close.
For one of these teams, their season will end against the same opponent it began with. Seattle and Green Bay met in week one at CenturyLink Field, and the Seahawks took the air out of the Packers offense. Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 33 passes for just 189 yards, along with 1 TD and 1 INT. Across the field, Russell Wilson was as efficient as ever while Marshawn Lynch rumbled for 110 yards and 2 TD. The Green Bay Packers were humbled on national television, something they surely haven’t forgotten.
That loss showed Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers what not to do against Seattle, but it remains to be seen if their adjustments in strategy will be enough to crack what may be the top defensive unit in all of football. Week one saw Aaron Rodgers avoid Richard Sherman‘s side of the field completely, a mistake he can’t afford to make again on Sunday.
While the Packers’ defense can’t hold a candle to the “Legion of Boom”, the unit has been trending in the right direction recently. With 13 sacks and 24 QB hits over the past three games, albeit against less mobile passers than Wilson, Green Bay is beginning to thrive on a complete pass rush from across their defensive line and linebacking corps.
The Packers offensive unit has shown growth, as well. Rookie WR Davante Adams had his coming out party last week against the Dallas Cowboys, while the emergence of Corey Linsley has solidified Green Bay’s offensive line. Bruce Irvin famously “prayed” to face Linsley prior to week one, but I feel he’ll give the fifth rounder a little more respect this time around.
Being the underdog that they are, Green Bay could struggle to win this game going punch-for-punch with the Seahawks. They’ll need an impact play to change the game in their favor, whether it be a long return or a forced turnover on defense.
Temperatures are expected to hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday in Seattle, and the possibility of rain showers could have both teams leaning on their rushing attacks early on. With Marshawn Lynch and Eddie Lacy carrying the rock, there will be some very sore defenders on Monday morning. One unit will have an entire offseason to lick their wounds, while the other will hold a ticket to Super Bowl XLIX.
Ahead, we look at three keys to victory for the Packers on Sunday, along with the X-factor they will need to crack Seattle’s defense wide open.
Next: Don't avoid Sherman