Packers vs. Seahawks: What to Watch For

Hey, the Green Bay Packers finally get to play a football game again! Just 90 days (okay, 11) after their last game, they travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

Here’s what you need to know and what to watch for.

Who’s not going to play?

What’s going on with Greg Jennings? Who the hell knows. Jennings had a setback with his groin injury this week, but he insists he’ll play Monday night. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t, but if he does, we wouldn’t expect him to be all that effective. James Starks, C.J. Wilson and Tom Crabtree are questionable, although there seems to be a good shot Crabtree will play. Davon House is doubtful. For Seattle, receiver Doug Martin has a shoulder injury and will likely be a game-time decision. DB Byron Maxwell is out.

Who should I bet on?

The Packers opened as a six-point favorite, but the line is down to three. When it comes to gambling, the crowd usually doesn’t have any wisdom, so go with the Packers. Their defense is on a roll and they’re facing a rookie quarterback. For the record, we’re 1-1 on the season in this department.

What to Watch For

Shots of Matt Flynn sulking on the bench — The former Packers backup quarterback signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in the offseason to be the starter. Then, along came Russell Wilson. Flynn is in the same position in Seattle as he was in Green Bay. In Seattle, he has a hell of a lot more money. Of course, in Green Bay, he was usually guaranteed at least one start a year after the Packers clinched the division. We’re not sure which is better, but we’re sure you’ll be seeing plenty of Flynn standing around on the sideline.

Beast Mode — On offense, Seattle hands the ball to Marshawn Lynch on a pretty regular basis. Lynch gains yards on a pretty regular basis too. He has 207 yards and is averaging 4.4 per carry in two games this season. Although the Packers defense is playing pretty well, they still have some tackling issues. Lynch can be a bull to bring down. If the Packers are going to win, you won’t see any runs like this.

Russell Wilson’s wife eating — There have definitely been more flattering photos of Russell Wilson’s wife, Ashton Meem, taken. However, during the NFL draft, someone caught the moment below on film. In it, Meem looks like a velociraptor ready to eat Wilson’s face off. Seriously, this chick could probably eat you.

Clay Matthews’ record pace — He’s going to taper off eventually, but right now, Clay Matthews is on pace for 48 sacks this season. The all-time season record is 22.5. Matthews has started the season with six sacks in two games before. He finished with 13.5 that season. The question is, how long can he sustain the record pace? We’ll have a better idea after tonight’s game.