Seahawks versus Packers: Our staff foresees an unhappy ending

Usually, our staff is split on predictions for each Seahawks game. But we are unified in our soothsaying when Seattle plays the Packers on Sunday.

The Seahawks have made it to the division round of the playoffs after defeating the Eagles in the Wild Card round. Green Bay had a week’s rest since they are the number-two seed in the NFC. The two teams have a recent history of playing important games against the other. Sunday will be no different. So who will win? This is what our staff believes.

Geoff Shull, contributor

This game could go one of two ways. One, as a trap game for Green Bay or two, Seattle stays true to their recent history. There are only two active cities Coach Pete Carroll has never won in in the NFC. Green Bay is one of them, with the other being Tampa Bay. In the Seahawks last 10 games in Green Bay we are 2-8, with the last win coming from 1999. Russell Wilson‘s worst QBR against any opponent is against the Packers.

Meanwhile, the Packers are one of the better teams in the league against the pass. While they struggle nightly against the run. Seattle is down to their 4th string running back and a recently un-retired Marshawn Lynch to carry the load. I want the Seahawks to win especially bad this week (my wife is a life long Packers fan). However, all the stats are pointing to the season coming to an end. I have a feeling our injuries are finally going to catch up to us this week as we look to exploit an unspectacular run defense.

Prediction: Packers 24 Seahawks 14

Colby Patnode, contributor and host of the 12th Man Rising podcast

The Packers don’t have Russell Wilson and that gives the Seahawks a punchers chance. (To read Colby’s full preview just click Go Hawks!)

Prediction: Packers 23 Seahawks 20

Karley Sibert, contributor

This game is a tough one to predict because it could really go either way. Seattle is 8-1 on the road this season (including the wild card round) while Green Bay is 7-1 at home. The biggest key to victory for Seattle is their defense and how they are going to shut down Aaron Jones and the Packers run game. Again, I could choose either team to win this one but I’m going with the team that has the bigger advantage.

Prediction: Packers 27 Seahawks 23

Lee Vowell, co-expert

It is tough to pick the Seahawks in this game. I will throw out the fact they haven’t won in Green Bay since whenever because they haven’t played every year in Green Bay. Plus, every team is different. But the Packers can rush the quarterback and have the highest pressure rate in the NFL since week 11. Their secondary is good and can cover deep. This means to win Seattle will need to run the ball and I just don’t think they can do that well enough without Chris Carson. Marshawn Lynch was once great and his re-signing has energized the team, but Carson is the far better running back at this stage in their careers. Carson gets yards Lynch isn’t able to right now and those yards left on the field will put Seattle in a position to not control the clock and pace of the game.

Prediction: Packers 24 Seahawks 17