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Green Bay Packers: Five keys to the Packers victory

By Kenn Korb

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Sep 20, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back

Marshawn Lynch

(24) is tackled by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker

Nick Perry

(53) for a loss during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Clamping down on Beast Mode

Every time a team plays the Seahawks, the first name and last name that must be mentioned is Marshawn Lynch.

It was of course a run by Lynch that initially began the signs of greatness for this Seattle team; remember that 7-9 playoff team that got Beast-Moded out of the playoffs? That was his first major spotlight moment and gave him his nickname.

Ever since, we’ve seen him destroy defenses with reckless abandon. The Packers know all too well, with him at the heart of each of the losses they have had to these Carroll-era Seahawks.

It was his play in that Championship Game comeback that allowed Seattle to finally break through the Packers defense and gash them consistently, something that led to big plays and scores for himself and teammates.

And after a week where this often-maligned defense gave up another huge day to a team led by a talented runner (Matt Forte and the BEars put up 189 yards in Week 1), it appeared that Beast Mode would be the biggest key as to whether this would be yet another abysmal day in stopping a ground attack in Packerland.

Surprise! The defense was having none of that!

These guys must have been tired of all the talk about their lackluster play, and of how Beast Mode was going to carve them up again as usual. For once, they managed to actually prevent that from happening.

On the night, Lynch was given 15 carries but managed only 41 yards. Just 41, for a guy that routinely dismantles even the toughest defenses. What’s more, there were multiple instances when he was replaced on the field by Fred Jackson, possibly owing to just how ineffective he was proving to be on his opportunities.

Without Beast Mode activated to destroy the defense, the Seahawks struggled on offense most of the night. The team only had 3 points by halftime, and then just 17 on the game. Seattle had a couple flashes here and there, including grabbing the lead in the 2nd half for awhile, but they were never at their dominant best.

Shutting down the power of Lynch let Green Bay undermine the soul of the Seahawk offense.

Without that, Seattle couldn’t do what was needed to secure another win over the Packers.

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