TimesFour

If this is a game that gets away from the Packers then, yes, it will be a long season. The Seahawks are limping into this game. Road game, but very winnable. If the Packers play down to the level of competition it will be tough, but the Packers are definitely the better team this week.

Seattle is injured everywhere. The defense and offense are missing parts. Hasselbeck did not practice on Friday yet, but he does expect to play. We can finally play a team more hurt than we are. This is also a team that has fed on the weakness of the NFC West for years and is just not that good any more. Seattle’s offense is 18th in scoring and 22nd in yards.

This is good for a Packers team that has struggled. The Packers faced the number one rush offense in the league last week and had troubles, but so has the league. Saying we have had trouble stopping the run against the Vikings and Falcons is no disgrace. Still, this will be another test. Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett are part of the sixth best running attack in the league. Where Seattle is weak now is the passing game (26th overall with 156 yards a game). This is good for our suffering DBs. Hasselbeck has a 57.7 QB rating. The Packers should mix in the run blitz and hold down the edges. Pass rush will not be as key to start the game, the DEs should focus on contain responsibilities.

There truly is only one strong segment of the game coming into this game and that is the Packers offense. Green Bay ranks eleventh in yards and sixth in points. Rodgers and Jennings are having great years so far (knock on wood). Grant still needs to get on track, but the passing game is strong. This team is not as great as we hoped and not as bad as we fear. If the line does fairly well holding back (but not holding) Kerney we should be fine. The biggest thing that really bothers me about this offense is the lack of discipline. Off-sides and holding and the like are issues that relate back to coaching. When you are penalized as much on the line as the Packers are there needs to be a greater emphasis on this in practice. Young teams do this, but McCarthy needs to place a higher standard in front of this team. Green Bay is the 10th most penalized team in the NFL (Vikings lead the league).

The other key stat that really makes me think the Packers win this game (though I have been wrong on who wins and loses, but close on the why) is the turnover ratio. One of the biggest keys to success. The Seahawks are -4 and the Packers are +3. If the Packers get the lead and the Seahawks have to pass expect the DBs to get some chances at picks. 2 TDs to 4 INTs for Hasselbeck.

Keys to Packers winning 1) stop the run. 2) field goals not TDs. 3) get the lead and do not let up. 4) limit penalties.
Keys to Seahawks winning 1) run effectively. 2) no turnovers. 3) no more injuries. 4) stay close and control the clock. 5) no second and longs.