Week 1 preview: Seahawks take on the Packers in Green Bay
By Luke Allen
The Seahawks kick off the 2017 season in Wisconsin, as they battle the Green Bay Packers this sunday afternoon.
The Seahawks seem to be at full strength. The only significant injuries heading into Sunday are Thomas Rawls and Tyler Lockett, who are both listed as questionable. Both players will most likely play.
The Packers are seemingly fully healthy as well, as the concern of Clay Matthews’ health perished when he fully participated in practice all week.
Packers offense vs Seahawks defense
The Packers’ high-powered offense and the Seahawks’ star-studded defense should be a fantastic match up to watch Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Rodgers is the most talented quarterback in the league today. The Seahawks will give up some passing yards. Rodgers will look to target rookie cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who will line up at outside corner when the Seahawks are in sub nickel packages.
The Packers’ run game is hit or miss. Sunday, it should be a miss. The Seahawks’ front seven seemingly couldn’t be more talented. Sheldon Richardson solidifies the middle of the defensive line, and will most likely ruin Green Bay’s run game plans on Sunday.
If Seattle can eliminate Green Bay’s run game, then the Packers’ offense should be very one dimensional. This game will ultimately be up to the Legion of Boom to deter the passing game.
Although Aaron Rodgers is the Packers quarterback, so there’s that.
Seahawks offense vs Packers defense
The Packers had one of the worst secondaries last season. They ranked 31st in the NFL against the pass.
The Seahawks had one of the worst offensive lines last season.
The Packers didn’t do too much to help their secondary, but the Seahawks seemed to have slightly improved the offensive line. If the line can open up some holes for Thomas Rawls and company, and give Russell Wilson just a few seconds to throw the ball, there is no reason the Seahawks can’t put up at least 30 points Sunday afternoon.
With that being said, this game certainly relies on the offensive line. If they happen to lay an egg, then the offense will sputter a lot like they did last season. When you go against Aaron Rodgers, you cannot afford to sputter on offense.
The bottom line is the offensive line needs to be simply average. If they give Russell some time, he will tear up the Green Bay secondary. Opening up holes in the run game is important as well, because the run-pass balance is what made the Seahawks so good in 2013.
What to watch for
A good match up to watch is Shaquill Griffin versus Devante Adams. With Richard Sherman likely following Jordy Nelson all afternoon, Aaron Rodgers will be looking for Adams. Griffin, by this time, knows Rodgers will be throwing his way often. From what he’s shown in the pre season, he’s very capable of defending balls. That should be interesting to watch.
Also, we will have to see how Sheldon Richardson and the rest of the defensive line do against the strong Packers’ offensive line. If they can disrupt Aaron Rodgers in the backfield, that would be hugely beneficial to the secondary.
My prediction
I think the Seahawks defense will start out slow. They’ll allow an opening drive score, like they always do. However, as the game goes on, the defense will start to perform better. The offense, on the other hand, should be high-powered the entire game. They must get the run game going, and I think they will. They’ll have a halftime lead.
The Packers will try to get their run game going early, and it will work early. However, they’ll try running too often and the effectiveness will eventually die off in the second half, forcing Rodgers to throw the entire rest of the game. Rodgers will only be able to complete underneath routes, leading to two field goals through three quarters.
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After a high scoring fourth quarter, the Seahawks cause a huge turnover and Walsh knocks down a field goal in the final minute to secure a Seahawks victory.
Seahawks win 29-20.