Packers: Three keys to defeating Seahawks in Week 11

Three keys for the Green Bay Packers to defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

After a Week 10 home victory versus the Miami Dolphins, the Packers are back on the road Thursday night in Seattle.

Green Bay will be traveling back to a place that has been a house of horrors for them recently. The last two times the Packers played in Seattle, the result ended in traumatic fashion.

Sitting with a record of 4-4-1, Green Bay knows there is little margin for error for the remainder of the regular season. Even on a short week road game, this is a must-win for the Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Despite losing two of their last three games, Green Bay has had a lot of positives. In order to change their recent fortune and win in Seattle, the Packers must build upon those positives.

These are three keys to victory for the Packers against the Seahawks:

1. Balanced offense

One of the biggest takeaways from the past few games is that Aaron Jones is a problem for opposing defenses.

Jones leads the Packers in rushing yards this season with 494 yards at 6.8 yards per carry. Last week, Jones had a career day with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

With the Packers on the road, it’s even more important to have the run game going. Seattle is not the type of environment where Aaron Rodgers should be throwing the ball 40-plus times. Also, an effective running game will make things easier for the passing game.

Running the ball will allow the Packers to attack the weakest personnel on the field for the Seahawks. Seattle’s secondary is filled with young corners and safeties. An effective running game will give Davante Adams one-on-one opportunities on the outside.

Starting fast and playing from ahead will go a long way to helping the Packers win. Green Bay must avoid playing from behind so the running game can’t be taken out the game plan.

2. Contain Russell Wilson

Maybe the biggest challenge the Seahawks offense presents is the playmaking ability of Russell Wilson. Wilson’s ability to make plays when things break down makes Seattle’s offense dangerous.

However, this season the running game has led the way. The Seahawks lead the league in rushing yards with 152 on the ground per game. Seattle’s effectiveness in the run game has relieved Wilson of some of the offensive burden.

Nonetheless, Seattle’s big plays come via the arm of Wilson. Keeping him contained in the pocket is the best way for the Packers to prohibit big passing plays. In addition, when Green Bay sends a blitz, they must get home or Wilson will expose their defense.

After practice Tuesday, Jaire Alexander was asked what challenges Wilson’s mobility presents:

“Russell, he breaks the pocket a lot, the receivers are able to get open that way, so we have to be on our coverage top down,” Alexander said.

3. Avoid self-inflicted mistakes

Something that Packers fans have become all too familiar with is the Packers shooting themselves in the foot. It seems like once a week Green Bay finds a way to make a mistake that puts the game in jeopardy.

For example, the Clay Mathews roughing the passer penalties in the first two weeks of the season. Or crucial fumbles late in games versus the Rams and Patriots.

In this game Green Bay must play a clean game. Primarily, the offensive line most avoid false start penalties in a hostile environment like Seattle.

Besides penalties, the Packers must avoid turning the ball over. Wilson is an elite quarterback who will easily take advantage of good field position after a turnover.