Good morning, everyone. The Green Bay Packers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This is the first time since 2014 that the Packers are hosting the divisional round game at Lambeau Field. Their opponent on Sunday night is the Seattle Seahawks, who won against the Eagles last week in the Wild Card round. This is a team that the Packers have played 3 times before in the postseason, including two memorable games at Lambeau Field. Those 2 games were the Al Harris pick-six in the 2003 playoffs and the “snow-globe“ game in the 2007 playoffs. The Packers now have a chance to clinch a berth in the NFC Championship game. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win on Sunday. Let‘s get started.
On offense, the Packers need to get the running game going from the very first snap. The best way to tire out the pass rushers of Seattle, who had 7 sacks last week, is to run the ball at them with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. I think that Aaron Jones will have a big day against the Seahawks on Sunday night. As long as the blockers are creating the running lanes, Jones should be able to get over 100 rushing yards (plus a touchdown or 2). I would not be surprised if Jones is used in the passing game as well in this game. For the passing game, it all starts with protecting Aaron Rodgers from any sacks or pressures. The offensive line has been great all season long protecting Rodgers. I expect that to continue on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. I still have confidence in Aaron Rodgers, even though he did not have his best season statistically. I believe that Rodgers will get to a higher level of play in the postseason, as long as he and the receivers are on the same page. Rodgers needs to throw accurately to the pass-catchers (who include Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow, the tight ends and the running backs). In turn, the receivers need to catch every pass that is thrown by Rodgers (unless the pass is a throwaway). In the postseason, little mistakes like dropped passes are magnified. That’s why it’s important for the Packers to execute on offense and not make any mistakes. Third downs need to be converted to sustain long drives that should result in points. In the red zone, the Packers need to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. I have a feeling that Jones and Williams will help with scoring touchdowns in that area. Turnovers need to be avoided on offense for the Packers to sustain those long drives. Protecting the football will be crucial for Green Bay in this playoff run. Any fumble or interception will give the Seahawks momentum in this game. I believe that the Packers will be turnover-free on Sunday night. Doing all of these things on offense will help Green Bay win against Seattle.
On defense, the Packers need to shut down the running game of Seattle. Because of injuries to their backs, the Seahawks had to bring Marshawn Lynch back from retirement at the end of the regular season. It is up to the Packers defensive front (led by Kenny Clark and the Smiths) to keep Lynch and Travis Homer from running over them. Tackling is very important, especially when going against a back like Lynch (who can still have some “Beast Mode” moments). The defenders need to tackle the backs for minimum yardage. If they can do that with ease, then the pass rushers (who include Za’Darius and Preston Smith, plus Kenny Clark) can pin their ears back and get after Russell Wilson. If they can’t get the sack, they need to keep him in the pocket all game long. Wilson is still able to scramble for a potentially big play downfield. The defensive front needs to limit the amount of times that he scrambles for yards. For the defensive backs (including Jaire Alexander and Kevin King), they need to be ready to cover pass plays for up to 9 seconds if Wilson is able to get away from pressure. The defense needs to limit the amount of chunk plays, especially with a deep threat in DK Metcalf (who had 160 yards receiving last week against Philadelphia). I think that they will take care of business in terms of limiting those plays. Third downs will be crucial for the Packers on defense. If the Seahawks find themselves in a third down that is 10 yards or longer, the Packers defense can’t allow a conversion to happen. In the red zone, the Packers defense needs to force Seattle to settle for field goals. All season long, the Packers have been able to get a turnover or 2 at a critical point in the game. I believe that they will get that done through an interception in the end zone or a strip-sack of Russell Wilson. As long as the players on defense execute their assignments, the Packers’ chances of winning will be high.
Special Teams will be very crucial for the Packers in the postseason, especially in colder weather. Covering the kick and punt returns will be emphasize on Sunday night (unless there is a touchback or a fair catch). A big return by Seattle cannot happen at any point, even in the opening kickoff. On the other side, Tyler Ervin should be given more chances to break out a long kick or punt return (as long as the blocks are executed well and there is no penalties). He has to be smart with the football in other cases, including securing the fair catch. Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks, which he has done all season long. Even with the wind, JK Scott needs to flip the field with his punts when he is called upon. It is up to Hunter Bradley to snap the ball accurately in order for everything to go smoothly. The rest of the line needs to keep the kicks and punts from being blocked at any point. I would not mind seeing the Packers blocking a field goal or punt in the postseason, starting with Sunday night. The Packers cannot turn the ball over on Special Teams, in addition to on offense. Any muffed punt or normal fumble can be recovered by Seattle and give them a short field to work with. As long as the Packers don’t mess up on Special Teams, they will have a great chance of winning.
A win on Sunday will give the Packers a berth in the NFC Championship game against the winner of the Vikings-49ers game that is on Saturday afternoon. I have a lot of confidence in this team going all the way to the Super Bowl. It all starts on Sunday night against the Seahawks at Lambeau Field. I will be back with my post-game thoughts on Monday morning. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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