Packers at Seahawks: What a Way to Open the 2014 NFL Season!
By Josh Davis
If you’re looking for a way to get back in the ‘football groove’, you need look no further than opening night with the Green Bay Packers storming Century Link to war with the Seattle Seahawks.
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Even before the schedule was made, the Pack spent the offseason preparing for these fights, having gone down to San Francisco in last season’s Divisional Round. The additions of Julius Peppers and Ha-Ha Clinton Dix on the defensive side of the ball have changed the approach for a defense that ranked in the bottom third overall last season. Meanwhile, the drafting of Davante Adams and Richard Rogers seem to have given Aaron Rodgers and their already-potent offense a new gear.
Since the schedule was released, the Pack has been taking this game with the utmost seriousness, dedicating a fair amount of their camp to get ready for the crowd noise. They have also installed a no-huddle offense predicated on hand signals and body language so that the 12th Man will have less of an effect on their play calling. Raiders receiver James Jones, formerly of the Packers, said a couple weeks ago that the Packers look like they’re in mid-season form.
But everybody looks different in Seattle.
Speaking of the Seahawks, they also spent the offseason preparing for games such as this. As we know, Pete Carroll and Co. are always under the championship influence and it didn’t change this preseason. Drafting the speedy Paul Richardson and eventual starting right tackle Justin Britt were just the tip of the iceberg. The Hawks also struck gold with Cassius Marsh off the edge defensively and additionally, finally have a fully-healthy Percy Harvin to add to their offensive scheme.
Russell Wilson has only begun to bloom into a top-tier quarterback and had a fabulous preseason, nearly perfect for the past three weeks. If he can keep it rolling Thursday, even the revitalized Packers might not have much of a shot tonight in the Emerald City. Then again, we’ve seen wild finishes in this series before and it is Thursday Night Football, after all.
The Super Bowl Champion banner will be raised, the National Anthem will be sung and we will be ready for the beginning of the 2014 NFL season. REPEAT!