Green Bay Packers (4-4-1)
v.
Seattle Seahawks (4-5)
Green Bay Packers (4-4-1) at Seattle Seahawks (4-5) - This is a battle between two teams struggling to remain relevant, to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot as Thanksgiving approaches, and the home stretch of the 2018 regular season lay ahead.
These two franchises have a strange history together. There was a real rivalry between these two teams when former Packers head coach Mike Holmgren went to coach the Seattle Seahawks, and led that franchise to it's first ever Super Bowl appearance. They met in several big games, including a playoff contest in the snow at Lambeau Field, which the Packers eventually won.
More recently, there was that strange touchdown that was not really a touchdown to end the game in favor of the Seahawks, in what otherwise appeared to have been a Packers victory. Then, of course, we all remember the NFC Championship Game between these two teams following the 2014-15 season, when Green Bay took a seemingly commanding 16-0 lead and completely dominated the game even more convincingly than even the scoreboard suggested, only to see the Seahawks rally in the final minutes to force overtime, and then, ultimately, to pull off what was considered a miracle, come-from-behind victory.
But neither team is on that level anymore at this point. Both teams missed the playoffs last season, and both franchises are also in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs once again this season.
So, they both have fallen off a bit. Yet, they are both still fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, so that adds some measure of intensity to this game. Seattle's defense is surprisingly tough this season, and their offense, led by now veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, has proven quite dangerous. True, they have no real shot at an NFC West title, but that is largely because the Rams are so good. But they have proven to be a real serious contender for a wild card spot.
The Packers are no quite where many expected them to be. You would figure that a team with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback would be better, yet their offense has really struggled this season. Thankfully for them, their defense has stepped up. Yet, they remain winless on the road. Against the Seahawks, they will likely struggle on offense, and there seems little reason there to see why the Packers would earn their first road win of the season at one of the toughest venues for road teams to play in. Have to go with the home team here.
My pick: Seattle
So, they both have fallen off a bit. Yet, they are both still fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, so that adds some measure of intensity to this game. Seattle's defense is surprisingly tough this season, and their offense, led by now veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, has proven quite dangerous. True, they have no real shot at an NFC West title, but that is largely because the Rams are so good. But they have proven to be a real serious contender for a wild card spot.
The Packers are no quite where many expected them to be. You would figure that a team with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback would be better, yet their offense has really struggled this season. Thankfully for them, their defense has stepped up. Yet, they remain winless on the road. Against the Seahawks, they will likely struggle on offense, and there seems little reason there to see why the Packers would earn their first road win of the season at one of the toughest venues for road teams to play in. Have to go with the home team here.
My pick: Seattle
No comments:
Post a Comment