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blstoker
Bill Bergen for HoF!
Positives:
Marshawn Lynch: Green Bay's defense, though improved over last season, gave up over 1800 yards rushing this season, including 207 week 1 against Seattle (Lynch 110 on 20 carries and 2 TDs). Dallas put up 145 yards against them last week, and Seattle will need to control TOP to help out the defense.
CenturyLink: Green Bay is a different team away from home. They average only 21 points/game on the road this season and were only 4-4. CenturyLink is extremely tough to win at, throw in rain throughout and winds above 15 mph and it isn't gonna be a great atmosphere for the Packers. Seattle is 10-2 all time in home playoff games (8-1 in CenturyLink) and have won their last 8 (their last loss was 2004 Wild Card to St. Louis).
Richard Sherman: Richard Sherman effected the last game by completely shutting down one side of the field just by being there. I don't know if Rodgers does the same thing today, but Sherman has been playing lights out the last 6 games or so. Maxwell should be back on the other side this week (and Simon is now listed with an illness). LOB will have their hands full - and will need to make the Packers pay for testing them.
Negatives:
Eddie Lacy: Seattle's run defense was amazing coming down the stretch, completely taking that aspect of the game away from opposing teams. Unfortunately, their interior DL is really banged up, and Lacy is an exceptional, physical back who has been dang near unstoppable the last 6 games (99 ypg, 5.4 ypc).
Aaron Rodgers: I don't care what your previous record has been against someone, a top tier QB will find ways to beat you if you give them the chance, and Rodgers is one of the best. He has the arm strength to throw balls throught the wind and is used to doing it. The front 7 will need to get pressure on him, or the LOB will have to contend with the entire field, instead of just the first 10 yards from the LOS.
Clay Matthews: There aren't many players in the NFL that can disrupt a game like Matthews, and he plays all over the field. They'll need to be aware of where he is and know how to deal with him on every play, or they could find themselves allowing him to make big plays.
Matchups:
Turnovers: Its #1 vs. #2 today. No teams turned the ball over less than these two teams did during the regular season (11 for GB 12 for Seattle) and both were high on the +/- (+15 for GB +9 for Seattle). Each team turned it over once in their previous meeting, but the ball is gonna be slick and hard to hang onto, so whichever team can secure it better today has an advantage.
Jordy Nelson vs. Byron Maxwell: Maxwell is the forgotten member of the LOB, and who can blame people for forgetting him when you talk about who he plays with. Week 1, the Packers tried to pick on him and the made him pay with a pick. Maxwell also led the team with 11 passes defended (in 13 games). I don't expect Rodgers to only go to his side, but if you're trying to get the most favorable matchup, putting your 1400 yard WR on their #2 corner is preferable to anything else.
Randall Cobb vs. Jeremy Lane: Cobb has always been a handful, and this year he has been exceptionally good. Lane on the other hand hasn't been as good as he was last season (partially due to injuries) and will need to play well today (especially if Simon is out with that illness). What the Packers can and cannot do in the slot may decide how good a game they have on offense.
Overview:
It's always hard to beat a team twice in the same season, especially a team as good as the Packers. This game should be a good one. The Hawks D is build to beat pass heavy teams, but the Packers have balanced themselves with Lacy, so Seattle's beat up DTs will need to play above and beyond to ensure that the Packer run game is neutralized. This game will not be a walk in the park, and Seattle will need to be on it's game if they want to advance to the Super Bowl. Go Hawks!
Marshawn Lynch: Green Bay's defense, though improved over last season, gave up over 1800 yards rushing this season, including 207 week 1 against Seattle (Lynch 110 on 20 carries and 2 TDs). Dallas put up 145 yards against them last week, and Seattle will need to control TOP to help out the defense.
CenturyLink: Green Bay is a different team away from home. They average only 21 points/game on the road this season and were only 4-4. CenturyLink is extremely tough to win at, throw in rain throughout and winds above 15 mph and it isn't gonna be a great atmosphere for the Packers. Seattle is 10-2 all time in home playoff games (8-1 in CenturyLink) and have won their last 8 (their last loss was 2004 Wild Card to St. Louis).
Richard Sherman: Richard Sherman effected the last game by completely shutting down one side of the field just by being there. I don't know if Rodgers does the same thing today, but Sherman has been playing lights out the last 6 games or so. Maxwell should be back on the other side this week (and Simon is now listed with an illness). LOB will have their hands full - and will need to make the Packers pay for testing them.
Negatives:
Eddie Lacy: Seattle's run defense was amazing coming down the stretch, completely taking that aspect of the game away from opposing teams. Unfortunately, their interior DL is really banged up, and Lacy is an exceptional, physical back who has been dang near unstoppable the last 6 games (99 ypg, 5.4 ypc).
Aaron Rodgers: I don't care what your previous record has been against someone, a top tier QB will find ways to beat you if you give them the chance, and Rodgers is one of the best. He has the arm strength to throw balls throught the wind and is used to doing it. The front 7 will need to get pressure on him, or the LOB will have to contend with the entire field, instead of just the first 10 yards from the LOS.
Clay Matthews: There aren't many players in the NFL that can disrupt a game like Matthews, and he plays all over the field. They'll need to be aware of where he is and know how to deal with him on every play, or they could find themselves allowing him to make big plays.
Matchups:
Turnovers: Its #1 vs. #2 today. No teams turned the ball over less than these two teams did during the regular season (11 for GB 12 for Seattle) and both were high on the +/- (+15 for GB +9 for Seattle). Each team turned it over once in their previous meeting, but the ball is gonna be slick and hard to hang onto, so whichever team can secure it better today has an advantage.
Jordy Nelson vs. Byron Maxwell: Maxwell is the forgotten member of the LOB, and who can blame people for forgetting him when you talk about who he plays with. Week 1, the Packers tried to pick on him and the made him pay with a pick. Maxwell also led the team with 11 passes defended (in 13 games). I don't expect Rodgers to only go to his side, but if you're trying to get the most favorable matchup, putting your 1400 yard WR on their #2 corner is preferable to anything else.
Randall Cobb vs. Jeremy Lane: Cobb has always been a handful, and this year he has been exceptionally good. Lane on the other hand hasn't been as good as he was last season (partially due to injuries) and will need to play well today (especially if Simon is out with that illness). What the Packers can and cannot do in the slot may decide how good a game they have on offense.
Overview:
It's always hard to beat a team twice in the same season, especially a team as good as the Packers. This game should be a good one. The Hawks D is build to beat pass heavy teams, but the Packers have balanced themselves with Lacy, so Seattle's beat up DTs will need to play above and beyond to ensure that the Packer run game is neutralized. This game will not be a walk in the park, and Seattle will need to be on it's game if they want to advance to the Super Bowl. Go Hawks!