Packers: Lombardi Ave staff predictions for Seahawks showdown
The Lombardi Ave team predict the divisional-round showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
The playoffs are here.
After three long years, the Green Bay Packers make their return to the postseason with a 2015 rematch against the Seattle Seahawks.
A trip to the NFC Championship Game is on the line, and the Lombardi Ave staff have made their predictions for Sunday’s game.
Nile McNair: I think the Packers will win 27-17. The reason Green Bay will win is because they will be able to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball versus Seattle. Green Bay 27, Seattle 17
Jesse Fry: With a bye week to heal, the Packers should be primed and ready for the divisional round showdown with the Seahawks. Seattle comes into the game banged up on offense with a running back saved from retirement and many of their offensive linemen nursing injuries.
On paper, this should be an easy win for the Packers. However, as this season has showed us, we shouldn’t expect anything to come easy. Seattle and Russell Wilson will be ready to give the Packers all they can handle. I don’t expect this game to be decided until late in the fourth quarter with the defenses ruling the day. My prediction is a 23-17 win by the Packers with the Smith Brothers having big days. Green Bay 23, Seattle 17
Evan Siegel: The Packers have had two weeks to get themselves as healthy as possible. The news of Kenny Clark‘s back not being 100 percent is concerning as the Packers will need all hands on deck against a top-five rushing offense, but Clark has not been good against the run all season anyway.
If the Packers can limit Russell Wilson to the pocket and take away some of his superhuman escapability, then they ought to be able to hold the Seahawks to under 20 points. The Packers will also be able to run the ball effectively against a fairly soft defensive line, with the hopes of keeping the ball away from Wilson as much as possible.
The Packers will be able to block Jadeveon Clowney because of their standout tackles and the experience offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has game-planning for him in the AFC South. The Packers will win, unspectacularly as they have all season. Green Bay 20, Seattle 17
Christian Borman: The Packers have a chance to go to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2016 when they fell to the Atlanta Falcons. Standing in their way is the battered Seattle Seahawks, the team that ripped the Packers’ hearts out in the 2014 NFC Championship Game.
The Pack will have a chance to get some revenge and knock the Seahawks out of the playoffs. The home team has had the advantage in recent matchups, and it looks like it will be prime Frozen Tundra weather, cold and snowy. No matter who wins this game, they will have to win ugly. I think the home field plays a big part in this game and the Packers roll 27-15, sending them to the NFC Championship Game. Green Bay 27, Seattle 15
Freddie Boston: The 2019 Packers don’t make things easy. But they know how to win.
That will be key against a Seahawks team that has dominated away from the 12th Man and CenturyLink Field.
I like the matchup for Green Bay on both sides of the ball. A struggling Seahawks offensive line up against the trio of Za’Darius Smith, Kenny Clark and Preston Smith (assuming Clark is healthy). With injuries to its top three running backs, Seattle’s strength on offense will be the passing game, but Green Bay’s secondary is strong, and the weather could make throwing the football more difficult.
Aaron Jones also gets the opportunity to dominate a team ranked 22nd against the run, while also giving up plenty of yards to backs through the air. According to Pro Football Reference, Seattle has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to RBs this season.
It’ll be cold at Lambeau, but Green Bay’s Super Bowl chances continue to heat up with another “ugly win”. Green Bay 24, Seattle 20