On to the Seattle Seahawks
The Green Bay Packers will get a rematch with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, this weekend.
It’s not an exciting rematch like a rematch of the NFC Championship game itself would be. Rather, it’s a rematch of two teams who met in the kickoff game way back in week 1. In that game, the Seahawks completely throttled the Packers by a score of 36-16.
That game wasn’t so much about anything the Seahawks did offensively, although Marshawn Lynch did run for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries — part of a 207-yard overall rushing effort by Seattle. Special thanks to the Keystone Cops, also known as the Packers defense, which seemingly missed more tackles than they made.
More so, the game was about what the Packers couldn’t do offensively. Or, what the Seahawks did to the Packers defensively, if you prefer.
The Green Bay offensive juggernaut hadn’t earned that title in week 1, when pretty much no one on that unit played well. Aaron Rodgers threw for only 189 yards, one touchdown and one INT. He couldn’t hit the big play outside and refused to take anything short or over the middle. In fact, Rodgers seemed afraid to look at any receiver other than Jordy Nelson, who he targeted 14 times in his 33 attempts. Meanwhile, the Packers netted just 80 yards on the ground. Eddie Lacy looked far too tentative and finished with 37 yards on 12 carries.
So what’s changed?
A lot for the Packers and not much for Seattle.
The Seahawks still rely on their defense. That unit finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense. It also finished No. 1 in the NFL for most loud-mouthed douchebags employed. The Seattle offense still relies on Lynch, who finished the year with 1,306 yards, and solid, but not spectacular play from Badger great Russell Wilson at the quarterback position.
It should be noted that the Seahawks led the NFL in rushing offense.
The Packers, meanwhile, went from inept offensively to the No. 6 overall offense in the NFL and the No. 1 scoring offense. Their defense also improved that tackling problem dramatically, largely by vanquishing Brad Jones from the starting lineup, replacing A.J. Hawk with Sam Barrington and waiting for Letroy Guion to regain his form.
Let’s be honest though, the Packers defense isn’t a top tier unit. They are, however, a hell of a lot better than the version that played Seattle in week 1.
Nonetheless, the Packers opened the week as seven-point underdogs. And rightfully so.
Of the Seahawks’ four losses this season, only one came at home. And guess who beat them…
The Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys outgained Seattle 401 yards to 206 in that game. They ran the ball well and stopped the run, which are tenets of winning playoff football. In the game, DeMarco Murray had 115 yards on a whopping 28 carries, while Lynch had just 61 on 10. That was part of a weak 80-yard overall rushing effort by Seattle.
Basically, the Cowboys decided to pound the ball with Murray and then pound it some more. In the end, they had a time of possession edge greater than 15 minutes. Seattle had the ball for about a quarter and a half and Dallas held it for the rest of the game.
So there’s your formula to win in Seattle, which the Packers will surely pay no attention to.
It’s not as if Seattle doesn’t have chinks in their armor, though. They also lost to San Diego, Kansas City and St. Louis this season. Only the Chargers were a playoff team and they beat the Seahawks on the strength of Phyllis Rivers’ arm.
Although they would tell you differently, this Seahawks defense is not impenetrable.
The Carolina Panthers, who are greatly inferior to the Packers, had a shot of making a game out of their divisional match-up with the Seahawks last week. If it weren’t for two boneheaded picks thrown by Cam Newton and a really atrocious pass defense, they would have been right there.
And that pretty much spells it out in our minds.
If the Packers don’t turn the football over or give up big plays, they have a shot.
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The first time, the game fell apart when Derek Sherrod came in for Bulaga. I know that’s not going to happen this time.
Thank God we don’t have to hear the names of Sherrod and Newhouse during a Packer game anymore.
Agreed with Andrew, I remember thinking “oh god no” when I saw him line up.
Packers need to have an almost perfect game offensively and Aaron needs to be able to move a lot more than he has the last couple games..
There’s only one thing I know for sure.
MM will start the Packers 1st series running Lacy into the gut of the line where he’ll be stoned for no/a nominal gain.
I know it, you know it, the Seattle D knows it, as well as 67K+ over-caffeinated assholes.
How about play action to Lacy, with Jordy making his most bad-ass, double-move ever on Dickhead, catching a rainbow dime from AR and taking it to the house?
And for his end zone celebration? A crotch grab with a kiss blown to the guy he just made his bitch. It’ll be a penalty and a huge fine, but sometimes you just have to make things right with the universe.
Pretty sure the Packers have been running down the throats of Defense essentially as good as Seattle’s on their first drive for the past few weeks. But then again, there’s no arguing with Negrodamus is there?
So your saying there’s a chance
There is more than a chance there is a damn good chance.
The Pack O- line is much improved and healthy. This has helped Lacy immensely. The TE’s are being used and R. Rodgers is a better blocker and receiver. Lacy is being used more in pass. D. Adams did not hardly play in the first game, when he did he got behind Sherman. Cobb is unstoppable now! The offense has discovered that they do not need the big play every down. The offense has found that they can grind out wins three, four or five yards at a time, playoff style. They can finish a game strong, were through over 80% of the season they coasted in the second half and fourth quarter.
The D has two better ILB’s by far. One with speed, one that will not shy away from contact with Lynch. Perry and Neal are better against the run than the crew used in the first game and can apply pressure when needed. Peppers is more interested than the first week, he sees a potential visit to Arizona and that is his goal. Peppers will disrupt more than the first game. The interior three are just playing better. Keep Wilson from breaking the pocket, if possible? Wilson is the key!
The Seahawks are missing Harvin and Richardson there two speedsters. The option bullshit will not influence the D as much as if Harvin was in the game. The receivers for Seattle are not going to match up well with the Pack DB’s. Seattle’s O line is banged up. They may be missing their center. If he does play he is not 100%. I believe one of Seattle’s big men on their D is missing and they may be down to their second corner opposite of Sherman. Seattle still has a great D. Their linebackers are fast. Run straight at those guys as they are small, and they can be overpowered by the best O-line in the NFL. Run to the outside and they will run you down. Do not get in third and long! GO PACK!
I BELIEVE !!!!!
This game comes down to stopping Lynch, the read option, throws over the middle to the TE and the offense moving the ball on every drive. We need touchdowns not FGs against this defense.
Lynch hasn’t been playing up to his usual top-tier self for awhile now. He didn’t do shit last week vs Carolina, but even going back to the regular season — he struggled against decent run D’s (St. Louis twice, Arizona, San Diego, Carolina) and his carries have been limited a lot over the last month (10-14-14). I don’t know what his deal is and I don’t care (the guy is one of the biggest piles of shit in the NFL). I do believe you have to stop him but the guy you have to really focus on is Russell Wilson, he’s the guy who’s going to beat you.
I hate Wilson more than anyone but the guy just doesn’t turn the ball over (1 INT, 5-1 playoff record). He’s going to be a lot like dipshit Kaepernick was — where if you don’t contain him he’s going to beat you with his legs and that’s exactly why we lost the last two years in the playoffs to SF. You MUST account for Wilson’s dual-threat running ability. The outside linebackers in contain on the flats are going to have to have their best day of the season on Sunday against Wilson in order to win.
Offensively. Rodgers needs to win the game. Hands down. He’s going to have to have his best playoff performance of his career to win this game.
troy aikman, grudgingly admitted post-game last sunday, that “that 4th quarter performance by AR was as good as i have seen this entire year, and also for a long long time”
Translation: “this was the greatest late game performance by any nfl QB, alive or dead, or on one bum leg”
soooo, having said that in the aftermath of the greatest Romo performance of his career [counting the dez bryant pass that was “dropped” not being on TR, you guys can forget about Wilson’s legs, he is a RB who has an advantage of QB rules; it can’t make up for AR’s having gone to a higher gear nobody else has or ever has had within himself….sooooo
R-E-L-A-X or we will have to launch here a sister website, call it TOTAL MORONS?
that should be where trolls like SHEHAWKSBONEWHO? will be required to go post their crybaby woes.
Lynch hasn’t been playing up to his usual top-tier self for awhile now. He didn’t do shit last week vs Carolina, but even going back to the regular season — he struggled against decent run D’s (St. Louis twice, Arizona, San Diego, Carolina) and his carries have been limited a lot over the last month (10-14-14). I don’t know what his deal is and I don’t care (the guy is one of the biggest piles of shit in the NFL). I do believe you have to stop him but the guy you have to really focus on is Russell Wilson, he’s the guy who’s going to beat you.
I hate Wilson more than anyone but the guy just doesn’t turn the ball over (1 INT, 5-1 playoff record). He’s going to be a lot like dipshit Kaepernick was — where if you don’t contain him he’s going to beat you with his legs and that’s exactly why we lost the last two years in the playoffs to SF. You MUST account for Wilson’s dual-threat running ability. The outside linebackers in contain on the flats are going to have to have their best day of the season on Sunday against Wilson in order to win.
Offensively. Rodgers needs to win the game. Hands down. He’s going to have to have his best playoff performance of his career to win this game. Case closed.
You pussy ads bitches have no shot! You are about to experience the true power of the 12’s!!!!!!!!! Back to Back!!!!!!! #Wewillgetnumber2
A “#” ? What time are you gonna make your mom take you to the mall to shop for more tube tops? Tell ya what, ill just send her back to ya when I get done with her.
Roid rage. You must be as juiced up as the cheating Seattle players.
You are a fool if you think we have no chance,how disappointed you will be when we lower your piped in crowd noise to a whisper
The chargers were a playoff team??
I think he meant playoff caliber team. That is, until the final 6 weeks of the season.
Think he meant playoff-caliber probably
They had a shot at it.
Just ignore this Seahag loser- 14 yr old punk with nothing else to do but cruise a Packer site.
I do hope they lose the toss or defer. Hold them set the tone and let AR & Fast Eddie come out and light them up.
Our offensive line is very good. But the seahawks have some studs that can get after the passer. Aaron Rodgers is nearly immobile. All you rose colored glasses fans seem to forget that fact. The key on offense in this game is to pound the rock, 30-35 times, and not allow the seahawks pass rush to take over the game. If they can’t run the ball and the seahawks get pressure on a one legged Rodgers then the game is over
True. But if this offensive line plays like they’re capable, I don’t see a four man rush creating so much pressure that Aaron can’t operate from the pocket or dance a few yards to either hash mark on occasion.
It’s not ideal, but Rodgers has also put forth some very positive plays because he didn’t run early and hung in the pocket a little longer.
Although Rodgers feet can lead to big opportunities, a reliance on them can lead to missing opportunities. The Seattle defense is so fast, that even a healthy scrambling Rodgers isn’t going to gash them.
Looking back to week one, I seem to recall thinking it was with great intention that Rodgers was NOT running with the ball or moving the pocket, likely because of the overall team speed of the Seahawks.
We’ll see what the plan is this time.
“one legged AR” you crack me up! but keep up the posts, as Pete Carroll will be burning the midnite oil on tailoring a game plan based on what his intelligence agents, er, scouts can come up with for the GB game plan… LOL!
take my advice, whip out an old DVD of the movie “Top Gun” and enjoy! you will know what i mean by “crack myself up” [Maverick, after facing down a MIG-28 in a neg. 4g dive]
As long as we keep Bad Jones and Hawk out on 3rd downs, we can stop Seattle potent run game. As for being effective on offense, watch SD game. Alot of dumpoffs to running backs in space and let them grind on the DB’s some. That’s the key game plan. Make their DB’s tackle running backs. Seattle is not invincible. You just can’t come in there with vanilla game plan. They are too fundamentally sound.
I agee, but this will never happen. McCarthy and Rodgers are all about game planning to get the receivers open deep. Rodgers will check down if he must but it won’t be a called play. The Pack won’t commit to the run, won’t commit to a short passing game. They’ll walk right into the teeth of the Seattle defense, waiting for receivers to open up 15+ yards downfield and Rodgers won’t throw it when the Seahawks drop 8 and will take sacks.
this game is going to be a dogfight. These two teams don’t like each other. Lacy is the key here. If he has a big game and can keep the defense from chasing Rodgers on every play we can beat this team. I may dislike this team more than the Cowboys and the lions!!!!!!
who you dislike more is of no interest to folks here. The Q of interest to readers of this site really is: who is the stronger nfc playoff opponent, cowboys or cheathawks? i say the boyz were the best team the pack faced. why? they had the Oline, the aerial attack, the ground game, that nobody else has. so why did they lose? well, the close score may have been the result of some bad breaks on gameday, but the biggest bad break was the absence of two key defensive players [one to concussion, one to a broken foot]. you may not think so, but the best minds in the nfl know it, i.e., the top HC know it, like Belichick, Fisher, Arians, and yes even the protagonists MM and Garrett, they definitely knew it, they just don’t put high paid assessments out there to the media, for free.
This will be Rodgers & McCarthy’s biggest test in the post-season to date. If Rodgers can somehow beat Seattle in Seattle with a bum calf and lead GB to the Super Bowl — it could go down as one of the biggest wins in Packer Playoff history behind Bart Starr’s 4 TD’s vs Dallas (’66) and the Ice Bowl (’67). Favre’s best playoff games came in Super Bowl XXX1 and winning at SF (’95).
As successful as Rodgers and McCarthy have been, they have yet to follow up their success in the post-season. For the exception of 2010 — Rodgers/McCarthy have always been bested by that “other” NFC team — in 2011 it was the NY Giants, 2012 & 2013 it was the SF Giants and now in 2014 it’s the Seattle Seahawks. All those teams are notable because GB couldn’t beat them during the regular season either (NY & SF), ironically opening the season with a loss in SF last year (after losing to them in the playoffs the year before).
Rodgers really needs to win this game. I can’t remember a Packer QB going into this hostile of an environment and winning in a long, long, long time. Favre beating Steve Young in SF in ’95 might be the closest. But beating Seattle in Seattle is going to be a huge challenge and might just have implications on Rodgers legacy as a big time playoff QB.
Most of you are hilarious! You made my lunch break! Thank you! GO HAWKS!
they’re working for ESPN, you gullible suckerfish! I.e., how many ways can we “stir the cocktail” and jerk the chain of addicted viewers prone to panic attacks, LOL!
I have two big worries in this game that I cannot get past.
First, against the Cowboys it became apparent Rodgers was far more injured than I expected him to be. The Cowboys have almost zero pass rush but Seattle will produce a pass rush with only 4 guys. If Rodgers can’t scramble, the game is over before it starts.
Second, people don’t realize that Wilson ran for 849 yards and has scored 6 rushing TDs. Fifth most for QB in league history. That’s Vick/Cunningham territory, and both those guys had a habit of killing the Packers.
J-Geez there ain’t no shehawks websites u can look at on your lunch break
Wow this site is hilarious! SWOOP! Starting a dynasty.
ron rivera must by wondering where these superhawks you guys are talking about are going to land in their space ship. cause they sure ain’t anything like the team he faced, e.g., if Cam gets a couple throws into the same zip code as a wide open receiver, and he doesn’t botch a simple handoff to his RB, they are up by 3 TD’s at the half. yes, that’s right if they don’t have to play panic catch up in the 2nd half, the superhawks would have gone down in flames like chickenhawks! and i’ll bet they would have lost it even more and drawn even more fucktard penalties as their pea[cock]brains succumbed to the frustration that all undisciplined child retards do.
in fact, i’ll bet rivera is incredulous at the viewpoints some of us are expressing here. as he knows what would of been if he had had Cam throwing with a tenth the accuracy of AR. and do you guys think a top coach like rivera would trade AR [if he had him] for the “super-krappersnick” Wilson? really? then post that, am sure the “smart money” around the league would find it even more amusing then what has been speculated here to date
Richard rodgers up the middle is my pick for bread and butter to sustain drives. Wilson tends to wear defenses down with his legs so keep him on the sideline