After going 2-1 during a pivotal three-game stretch across just 12 days, the Green Bay Packers are headed to Seattle to play the NFC West-leading Seahawks following a mini-bye. And there’s a big opportunity to not only take a big step towards clinching a postseason spot, but also prove capable of going on the road and beating a good team in a playoff-like environment.
Can the Packers bounce back from last Thursday night’s loss in Detroit, improve to 10-4 and all but punch their ticket to the NFC playoffs?
Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Seahawks in Week 15:
Get Josh Jacobs rolling
Jacobs has scored a remarkable eight touchdowns over the last four games, but the Packers know they haven’t blocked well up front in the run game overall. Jacobs is averaging just 3.6 yards per attempt over 81 attempts since the bye, and he’s had to work (see: break tackles) for just about every yard. The Packers must do a better job of moving people along the line of scrimmage on Sunday night in Seattle. The Seahawks are giving up 4.7 yards per attempt and have been vulnerable between the tackles this season, but the Packers must be better up front to take advantage. On the road in primetime, the Packers need to establish the line early and get Jacobs rolling. One-dimensional offense won’t fly against a Seahawks defense that has dominated against the pass over the last month. This has to be a big Jacobs game.
Win the QB pressure battle
Like most weeks, the team that better pressures the opponent’s quarterback is going to create a huge advantage. Geno Smith has been sacked 40 times this season and the Seahawks have big question marks along the offensive line (especially on the right side), so there’s a real opportunity for the Packers’ pass-rush to affect the game against a heavy pass team. Can Jeff Hafley’s defense finally start pressuring the quarterback with only four rushers? On the other side of the ball, the Packers offensive line — which didn’t play well collectively against a backup version of the Lions front last week — will face a defensive front that has five rushers with 30 or more pressures this season, including Leonard Williams, an elite player. This is a big test, especially on the road.
Limit JSN
Even in a passing game with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who the Packers liked coming out of the 2023 draft — leads the team in targets, catches and receiving yards. He has 70 or more receiving yards in five straight games, highlighting his importance to Geno Smith. With mostly a slot receiver, JSN can line up just about anywhere and affect the game. Considering JSN’s ability to get open from multiple alignments, Metcalf’s ability to stretch the field and Lockett’s route-running savvy, the Packers secondary is approaching a big challenge on Sunday night. Covering the middle of the field has been a challenge as of late, but the Packers are likely returning Jaire Alexander, which changes the whole dynamic of the coverage scheme.
QBs protecting the football
Geno Smith and Jordan Love represent two of the five quarterbacks with at least 11 interceptions thrown this season. Both seem to be trending in the right direction in terms of protecting the ball — Smith has thrown only two picks in his last four games, while Love has just one interception since the bye. So, which team can force the other quarterback into a big mistake? The Seahawks are 4-1 when Smith doesn’t throw a pick this season. The Packers, with 24 takeaways, have been the better turnover-creating defense (Seahawks have 15 in 13 games). Also, keep this in mind: Smith has fumbled seven times this season without losing one. He’s been loose with the ball, and his fumble luck can’t continue forever.
Win (or just survive?) the big situations
When the Packers lose this season, the defeat can usually be directly connected to a big failure situationally. Third down, fourth down, red zone. The Packers gave up four fourth-down conversions to the Lions last week and lost. The Packers were 1-for-4 in the red zone in the first meeting against the Lions and lost. The Packers were 4-for-14 on third or fourth down against the Vikings and lost. Get the picture? Dominating all the situations is tough, but the Packers just can’t lose one decisively. The Seahawks haven’t been an elite team in any one situation this season and aren’t as aggressive as the Lions, but winning the money downs is tough work on the road. The Packers need to be at their best on third down and in the red zone on Sunday night.