Good evening, everyone. On Sunday afternoon/evening, the Green Bay Packers will go up against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Dating back to 2003, the Packers have won the last 9 games against the Seahawks at the “Frozen Tundra” (including playoff games in 2003, 2007, and 2019). As always, I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to make it 10 straight home wins against Seattle. Without further delay, let’s get started.
On offense, the Packers get a boost in Aaron Rodgers coming back from the COVID-19/Reserve list. Even though he wasn’t able to practice at all, I think that Rodgers will perform well against the Seahawks. The offensive line (which might get David Bakhtiari soon) needs to make sure that Rodgers stays upright all game long. If the linemen (plus any additional blockers) are able to keep Rodgers from getting sacked, then he will be able to find an open receiver and throw to him accurately. Those receivers include Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis, and the running back duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. In turn, the receivers need to run their routes precisely and catch each pass that is thrown by Rodgers (other than throwaways). In the running game, the O-linemen need to create the running lanes for Jones and Dillon to run through. In turn, the backs need to follow the holes and evade or truck defenders for plenty of yards each play (while protecting the ball in the process). The passing game (especially play-action) should be set up by the running game, not the other way around. I just hope that they don’t go back to doing empty backfield sets. The most important thing for the Packers to do on offense is to sustain long drives that end in a touchdown each time. Converting third downs and avoiding turnovers can help the Packers offense accomplish this goal. In the “Gold Zone”, the Packers need to score touchdowns on each trip instead of settling for field goals. Considering how field goals are not guaranteed (more on this later), it is important that the Packers get in the end zone on each red zone trip. It’s going to take everyone to do their job, including head coach Matt LaFleur for a great game plan, but I am sure that the offense will perform well against Seattle.
On defense, the key for the Packers is to make the Seahawks offense one-dimensional. The way to do that is to stop the run, both by the running backs and by QB Russell Wilson. The defense needs to make sure that the ball carrier is tackled for minimum gain while not allowing any chunk plays. With guys like Kenny Clark, De’Vondre Campbell, Krys Barnes, Preston Smith, Dean Lowry, and Rashan Gary, tackling the ball carrier should be no problem at all. If the Packers defense is able to keep the run game in check, then the pass rush can get after Russell Wilson (who is coming back from finger surgery). The key to getting after Wilson is to keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble for any yards. It can be a bonus if the defense is able to collapse the pocket and force Wilson to either take a sack or force a throw that can be picked off. The defensive backs, including Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes (who hopefully plays after missing last week due to a pregame injury), Darnell Savage, and Adrian Amos, need to cover the receivers well. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are the top 2 targets for Russell Wilson to throw to. It is imperative that those two, plus every other receiver, do not have a big game. With how well the defense has played so far, I am sure that there will be no easy catches for Seattle‘s receivers. What’s most important for the Packers defense to do is to keep the Seahawks offense from sustaining long drives. Stopping them from converting third (and fourth) downs can help them in this regard. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers are able to force a couple of turnovers on Sunday. Any form of turnover can help the Packers by giving the offense more chances to score touchdowns. I have to give major credit to defensive coordinator Joe Barry for having this defense ready to play each week. I am confident that the defense will play well against Seattle at Lambeau Field.
The only thing that I want for Special Teams to do is to be competent. Last week was a disaster against Kansas City with a missed field goal, a blocked field goal, and a muffed punt. If those mistakes didn’t happen, the Packers would have won. For the field goal unit, everyone has to do their job correctly. The snap needs to be accurate by Steven Wirtel. Punter Corey Bojorquez needs to get the hold right (laces out). The line protecting the kicks needs to make sure that no kicks are blocked. If all of these things are done well, then Mason Crosby should have no issue making each kick. Corey Bojorquez needs to flip the field with each punt when he is called upon. For the return game, there can’t be any mistakes by the returner in terms of fielding kicks. When the punt returner calls for a fair catch, he actually needs to get the ball rather than let it bounce and possibly hit a teammate. On kick returns, if there is not an opportunity for a return, the returner needs to kneel for a touchback to not risk a turnover. On any kick or punt return, the blockers need to create the holes for the returner to run through (without committing any holding or illegal block penalty). On the other side, a long return can’t happen in Seattle’s favor, especially at Lambeau Field. Kicking each ball for a touchback and punting the ball deep in their own territory can help the return unit in this regard. I hope that Maurice Drayton can get the Special Teams unit ready to play well on Sunday.
I have a feeling that the Packers will have an extra boost of energy because of the return of Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully this boost can help every side of the football perform well in front of their home crowd. Another thing that could benefit the Packers is the possibility of snow on Sunday. As long as mistakes are kept to a minimum, the Packers should win by a comfortable margin against the Seahawks. Regardless of the outcome, I pray that nobody gets hurt during the game. I’ll be back on Monday or Tuesday with my postgame thoughts. Have a good night, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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