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Green Bay Packers: Five players who must step up vs. Seahawks

By Freddie Boston

Sep 20, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) was charged with pass interference on a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) as safety Earl Thomas (29) watches in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) was charged with pass interference on a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) as safety Earl Thomas (29) watches in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) forces Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) into throwing a passing for a nine yard loss during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) forces Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) into throwing a passing for a nine yard loss during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Ryan

Jake Ryan won’t be named the NFL’s defensive player of the year anytime soon, but his absence with an ankle injury hurt the Packers defense.

Ryan’s work rate can never be questioned, he leaves it all on the field. His ailing ankle forced him to the sidelines last week, but he returned to finish the game. Ryan was clearly below 100 percent entering the game, but he still put in a shift in the middle of the field.

Ryan plays a key role against the run, and this will be crucial against Seattle. With snow expected, the Seahawks will aim to impose their will on the ground and control the clock. Thomas Rawls showed everyone what the Seattle backfield has been missing last Sunday against Carolina, turning his 15 carries into 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Rawls is a violent, downhill runner who initiates contact and plows through it. The Packers’ tackling game will need to be on point to limit Rawls’ opportunities in the open field, and area he can burn defenses. Ryan will be key up front in preventing Rawls from getting going.

Seattle’s offensive line struggles most in pass protection. Shutting down the run game will exploit their deficiencies and free up rushers to get after Russell Wilson.

Ryan is a better player against the run than pass, and he must play a role in limiting Rawls.

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