The Green Bay Packers started fast, led big at halftime, overcame a second-half lull and then put the game away with a pair of big plays late in a comfortable 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night at Lumen Field.
Four straight scores to open the game helped the Packers take a 20-3 lead into the half, and Geno Smith’s injury in the third quarter ensured there would be no miracle comeback. The Packers dominated against backup Sam Howell, and Romeo Doubs’ diving touchdown catch slammed the door shut with around five minutes left.
The Packers are now 10-4 and in firm position in the NFC wildcard race.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
— The Packers won the coin toss, took the ball to open the game and immediately drove down the field for a score and the 7-0 lead. Josh Jacobs handled nine of the 10 touches on the drive and scored another 1-yard touchdown. It was a punishing, tone-setting way for the Packers to start the contest.
— The Packers defense was highly disruptive. Geno Smith was effective at times early, but he also took a third-down sack and threw an interception into the end zone, and the Seahawks had only three points when he departed. Jeff Hafley’s unit finished with seven sacks, two interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
— The pass rush came alive. The Packers got pressure with four-man rushes, stunts and blitzes. Six different players had a sack and nine different players hit the quarterback. This was an encouraging performance from the defensive front with the playoffs nearing.
— Carrington Valentine’s first career interception late in the first half turned what could have been a 17-10 score into a chance to tack on points before the break, and that’s exactly what the Packers did — driving for a short field goal. The takeaway and ensuing drive created, at the very least, a six-point swing to end the first half.
— Edgerrin Cooper’s first career interception sealed the deal. He undercut a Sam Howell throw over the middle and returned the pick inside Seattle’s 30-yard line, and Jordan Love hit Romeo Doubs for the dagger three plays later. Cooper had a pick, a near-pick, a sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. He was a monster.
— Speaking of Love and Doubs, the two connected for a pair of touchdowns. Love was efficient, completing 20 of 27 passes without a turnover against a team that had been great against the pass over the last four games. Doubs made two key plays in his return from a concussion. This connection is so important for the Packers offense.
— The Packers averaged 6.0 yards per play. The Seahawks? Only 3.7.
— The Packers got the ball into Jayden Reed’s hands eight times. He caught five passes for 34 yards and carried three times for 27 yards. The Packers need to find ways of getting Reed unlocked as a downfield receiver, but he had an impact on this game.
— Brandon McManus made all six of his kicks on a cold but mostly calm December night in Seattle.
— After Sam Howell entered the game, the Packers gave up only three net passing yards. Howell completed 5-of-14 passes for 24 yards and took four sacks losing 21 yards. Domination of a backup.
— The Packers drew a pair of pass interference penalties — one from Romeo Doubs setting up the field goal before the half, and another from Christian Watson in the second half.
— Watson caught three passes for a team-high 56 yards, including another catch of over 30 yards. Adding in the penalty he drew, Watson contributed 95 yards of offense and set up a few scores.
What went wrong
— The Packers had to settle for three short field goals, including two in the red zone. One was the result of mismanaging the end-of-half scenario, something Matt LaFleur took blame for post-game. Another came on 4th-and-1 from inside the 5-yard line, and the three points gave the Packers a three-score lead.
— Josh Jacobs fumbled in the fourth quarter, setting up Seattle’s only touchdown. It was a bad mistake in the situation. The only thing that could have let the Howell-led Seahawks back into the game was a giveaway. Zach Charbonnet produced the Seahawks’ one explosive run of the night on a well-blocked play that finished in a 24-yard touchdown shortly after Jacobs’ fumble.
— The Packers got 73 rushing yards at over 5.0 yards per clip from Josh Jacobs in the first half, but the run blocking and execution overall wasn’t there in the second half.
— The passing game missed a few opportunities. Jordan Love threw behind Romeo Doubs one play before Jacobs’ fumble, Jayden Reed slipped down during a route on a third-down play, and Christian Watson couldn’t haul in an off-schedule third-down throw.
— Love was a little inaccurate pushing the ball downfield, but underthrowing a few balls actually created pass interference penalties. The Packers would probably prefer those plays to be completions and not penalties.
— The Packers extended the lead to 23-6 and forced a quick three-and-out in the third quarter. But from there, four opportunities to put the game fully away were squandered. The Packers went three-and-out twice, Jacobs fumbled near midfield and Jacobs was stuffed on fourth down inside the 40. That little lull made things interesting late. And it could have gotten very interesting had Geno Smith been in the game.
What it means
The Packers took a big step towards making the postseason and showed they could could on the road and take care of business against a good team. At 10-4, the Packers probably need only one more result to clinch a playoff spot. In fact, a win next week should do it. And now the Packers have internal confidence that they can be “road warriors,” as Matt LaFleur put it post-game Sunday night. More than likely, the Packers will be going on the road to play a division winner in the first round. Areturn trip to Seattle is possible. The Packers will be confident in their ability to win on the road to open the postsesason.
Highlights
What’s next
A home primetime game against the New Orleans Saints next Monday night. The Saints are 5-9 but nearly came back and beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Who will start at quarterback? Derek Carr is hurt, but Spencer Rattler looked good in the second half. A win over the Saints and the Packers can clinch a playoff spot.