The Seattle Seahawks travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to take on the Green Bay Packers in what could be an early preview of the NFC Championship game. These two teams are favorites to win the conference and would love to have this week 1 victory just in case it affects home field advantage in the Playoffs. Kickoff at Lambeau Field is at 4:25 P.M. ET.
The Seahawks come into 2017 with a chip on their shoulder after the 2016 season unraveled due to injuries and an erratic offensive line. After addressing their o-line in the draft and signing former Packers running back Eddie Lacy, Seattle is poised to make a run toward Super Bowl 52.
The one NFC team standing in Seattle’s way is the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has all of his weapons healthy and is looking to get the Pack back to the Super Bowl. Whenever there’s a healthy Rodgers, the Packers are always in contention for the NFC title.
The spread has stayed locked at the Packers favored by 3 points. If you can get this spread ½ point in either direction, take it. The Over/Under opened at 49.5 and is currently at 50 total points.
Although the Seahawks look dominant on paper, they still have to prove that they’re ready to reclaim the NFC Conference throne. Unfortunately, that won’t happen in Week 1. Seattle has had recent difficulties at Lambeau Field and the odds are that they will struggle again. Seattle is 0-3 in their last 3 trips to Green Bay, being outscored 113 to 37.
Rodgers seems to dial up an extra portion of magic when he plays at home, and Seattle just happens to be the unfortunate opponent having to head into Green Bay to start off the season. This game will be more competitive than the previous 3 games at Lambeau, but it will still end up with the same result – a Packers victory.
For Seattle, their running attack of Rawls and Lacy look to ground and pound the Packers, while trying to keep Rodgers off the field. However, their best chance at success will most likely be through the passing game as Green Bay finished with the 2nd worst past defense in the league.
For the Packers, it all begins and ends with Rodgers. Seattle added Sheldon Richardson to their defense via a trade with the Jets, but it will take him a few weeks to get acclimated, which means that Rodgers won’t be facing the defense’s full potential. Well, not until a predicted playoff matchup.
For the Pack to win, the o-line needs to give Rodgers time to throw the ball and limit the ferocious Seattle pass rush. However, if the Seattle d-line does get pressure, Rodgers can break containment and make plays that no other quarterback in the league can do. This is what will most likely win the game for the Packers, as Rodgers will make magic happen when the plays break down.
The Seahawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 grass games, and 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Green Bay. The Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games versus Seattle.
Look for Rodgers to make more big plays this week than his counterpart Russell Wilson and lead the Packers to a big Week 1 victory.