Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here are eight players who are returning from significant injuries in 2023.
Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL and the Seattle Seahawks had their fair share during the 2022 season.
Here are eight players who are returning from significant injuries in 2023.
Cincinnati is going back to the AFC Championship game.
Day two of the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs is well underway. The first game was a showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills, arguably the most anticipated game of the weekend. Sunday was to be a rematch of a game that was supposed to be played on Monday Night Football, but was ended after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field.
Now the Bills and Bengals were finally slated to lay each other… and it was a rather one-sided affair. Cincinnati dominated Buffalo from start to finish, taking an early 14-0 lead on their first two possessions. The Bills pulled within a single score twice, cutting the lead to 14-7 and 17-10 at separate points during the game, but were unable to truly close the gap.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was his usual sublime self, throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Joe Mixon led the way with 105 yards on the ground, as Cincinnati rushed for 172 as a team. Meanwhile the Bills couldn’t get anything going in the ground attack, as they have struggled all year with, only rushing for 64 yards.
In the first 53 years of franchise existence, the Bengals had never won a road playoff game. Now, they have won their third in two years under Joe Burrow. The Bengals will return to Arrowhead Stadium for the AFC Championship in a rematch of last year’s title game against the Chiefs.
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After the divisional round of the playoffs this weekend, the slate for the AFC and NFC conference championship games is now set.
After the craziness of what was the divisional round of the NFL playoffs this week, the slate is now set for the AFC and NFC championship games which will be played next Sunday.
Here’s how and when to watch the matchups on January 30.
Who: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Where: Arrowhead Stadium
When: 12:05 p.m PT
How: CBS, CBS Sports App
Who: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Where: SoFi Stadium
When: 3:40 p.m. PT
How: FOX, FOX LIVE, FOX Sports App
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Watch the Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlights during the Divisional Round of the 2021 season.
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Slow starts have hampered the Seattle Seahawks’ potential throughout the Pete Carroll era, as they often find themselves playing catch-up.
The Seattle Seahawks lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the 2019 NFL postseason by a score of 28-23. There were many reasons for the loss, but one of them stands out – something that has contributed to several postseason losses in the Pete Carroll era – slow starts.
The Seahawks have a tendency to start slowly, rarely scoring voluminously in the first half only to come roaring back after halftime. This makes it seem like Seattle can only compete when the opponent is worn down and weakened, largely so in the second half. That is when Carroll and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer choose to unleash quarterback Russell Wilson and the passing offense. This has happened in Seattle’s postseason losses following the 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2019 seasons.
This has also been a common theme throughout the regular season. Carroll has long emphasized a philosophy of “establishing the run” and this can occasionally hamper the team’s performance when it is utilized too much as we saw last year against the Cowboys. When the Seahawks chose to pass against Green Bay, they initially played it safe for the most part, not utilizing the hurry-up offense or increasing the pace until the game was on the line.
These methods may help keep games competitive, but one wonders if the outcome of many games would have been different if the Seahawks had started hot and fast, or at least were more aggressive with their offensive play calling. As it stands, slow starts are a significant reason for Seattle having to play catch-up, never initially staying with the competition and ultimately losing important games.
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The Seattle Seahawks fell to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 28-23 in the divisional round of the playoffs. Here are five takeaways.
The Seattle Seahawks fell to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the 2019 NFL playoffs, extending their losing streak at Lambeau Field to nine games. Here are five takeaways from the loss on Sunday.
The Seahawks went into halftime trailing 21-3 as their defense could not stop a nosebleed. They could not generate much offensively, only scoring a 45-yard Jason Myers field goal and a subsequent 50-yard miss and a failed Hail Mary attempt at the end of the half. The Packers outgained the Seahawks in yards 201 to 135, as well as the time of possession with 18:05 to Seattle’s 11:55. Green Bay would match Seattle’s subsequent touchdown in the second half with one of its own, and this would ultimately prove too much to overcome.
Davante Adams finished with eight receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns and had 120 yards and one TD in the first half. He burned whoever covered him and the Seahawks defense simply had no answer for him in particular. He caught all four of his targets of 10 or more yards downfield, and one of those was a clutch third-and-8 conversion that went for 32 yards when the Packers needed a play to run the clock down. He averaged 5.7 yards per route and was Aaron Rodgers’ most reliable target, as well as Green Bay’s biggest contributor to its offensive production.
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The Seahawks came out of halftime to score three consecutive offensive touchdowns, getting them back into the game. They could not capitalize on opportunities when the contest was on the line, but the Seahawks continued to make the statement that they are a no-quit team, as they have often been throughout the Pete Carroll era. They always find a way to stay in the game and receive a chance to win it. Unfortunately, they could not pull it off this time.
Ken Norton Jr.’s defense got torched on third down all game long, including several times with the game hanging in the balance. The Packers converted nine of their 14 third-down attempts and were six of eight after making the score 28-10 in their favor. In addition, all three of Green Bay’s first-half TDs were on third down. The Seahawks defense could not get stops when they needed to, and this played a huge role in the outcome.
Tight end Jimmy Graham made perhaps the biggest catch of his career when he converted a third and 9 with 1:48 remaining in the game. The spot was controversial, as it appeared Graham was short of the first-down marker, but the Seahawks defense could have prevented him from making the crucial catch, and they did not, nor did they get to quarterback Aaron Rodgers when they needed to. Graham caught two additional passes on third down and was clutch for the Packers with the game on the line. This will obviously sting Seahawks fans quite a bit, but it must have felt good for Graham to win against his former team.
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The Green Bay Packers have been dealing with a flu outbreak that could affect the team ahead of their game against the Seattle Seahawks.
#Packers CB Josh Jackson (illness) has been added to the injury report & is QUESTIONABLE for #SEAvsGB 📝 https://t.co/hewmARUa6S
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 11, 2020
The Green Bay Packers are apparently dealing with a flu outbreak in their locker room that could impact their play against the Seattle Seahawks in their divisional-round playoff matchup Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
Packers cornerback Josh Jackson was added to the list of questionable Green Bay players after Saturday’s practice. Six Packers were noted on Friday’s final injury report with an illness.
Late in the regular season, Seattle was also hit with the flu bug, which quickly spread throughout the locker room.
The Seahawks have also suffered their share of absences in the form of injuries, but this recent development in Green Bay may make the challenge of facing the Packers at Lambeau Field a little easier for Seattle, especially if players like Jackson are ultimately ruled out on gameday.
The inactives list for Sunday’s divisional-round matchup will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff, which is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. PT.
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The Seattle Seahawks’ postseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday could feature up to 10 inches of snow.
The Green Bay Packers are already looking for a little help this weekend ahead of their divisional-round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Recent weather forecasts are now predicting a storm that could result in up to 10 inches of snow on Saturday night and the team is soliciting fans to help shovel at Lambeau Field.
According to Green Bay’s website, up to 700 shovelers are needed to help on Sunday morning. Shovelers must be at least 18 years old to participate and will be paid $12 per hour for their efforts. Free, temporary parking will be available and the Packers will provide all the necessary shovels.
Help get @LambeauField ready for playoff football!
With expected snowfall on Saturday night & into Sunday, we're looking for up to 700 shovelers to assist with the snow removal process beginning at 6 a.m. ❄️ https://t.co/W6eZ5juGY2
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 9, 2020
Seattle coach Pete Carroll recently said the Seahawks have been preparing for the frigid weather before departing for Green Bay. For example, the Seahawks have opened the doors of their training facility to allow the chilly air to fill the building and give the players a good sense of what they can expect this weekend. Seattle also practiced outside on Thursday.
If the Seahawks emerge victorious, they will advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2014-2015 postseason, but it will be no easy task. After all, Seattle has not won in Lambeau Field since 1999. The game will start at 3:40 p.m. PT on Sunday.
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The Seattle Seahawks are hoping left tackle Duane Brown (knee) will return for the team’s divisional round matchup against the Packers
The Seattle Seahawks were short three starters on the offensive line on Sunday against the Eagles, with Duane Brown and Mike Iupati joining Justin Britt on the shelf.
The results weren’t pretty, particularly in the run game where the Seahawks only mustered 19 yards on 17 carries between their two backs, Travis Homer and Marshawn Lynch.
Reinforcements might be on their way however, as coach Pete Carroll reported that Brown has begun getting some work in and could make it back in time for Sunday’s game against the Packers.
“Duane did some work yesterday and is doing work again today,” Carroll said before practice on Wednesday. “He won’t practice today, but it’s an encouraging sign about him making his return. So we’ll see what happens. We won’t know until late.”
Brown missed the final two regular season games with a “pissed off knee“, and while the team is taking caution with their veteran tackle, his presence is much needed on Sunday if he is able to go.
Not only is Brown a strong pass and run blocker, he frees up George Fant to play his regular role as the team’s sixth lineman/tight end, which is a crucial part of the team’s run packages.
Brown’s status will be updated throughout the week, and his health will go a long way toward getting Seattle into the NFC championship game for the first time since the 2014 season.
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The Seattle Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round and will try for their first win in Lambeau Field since 1999.
The Seattle Seahawks face a daunting challenge in the divisional round of the 2019-2020 NFL postseason as they travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Packers finished 13-3 and claimed the No. 2 seed in the NFC under a rookie head coach in Matt LaFleur, a revitalized offense, and a defense that has shown flashes of greatness throughout the season. Not many of their wins have looked easy, and like the Seahawks, they have had a tendency to play down to the level of their seemingly-inferior opponents. However, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still capable of strong play even at age 36 and he has proven that he can still take over a game when the Packers need him to.
But there is something even more troubling for Seattle. The Seahawks have not won a game in Lambeau Field since 1999, the first season in franchise history under Mike Holmgren. Be it in the regular season or the playoffs, Seattle has been unable to seize victory in Lambeau in the 21st century. In fact, the Seahawks have had quite a few brutal losses on the frozen tundra, including the 2003-2004 wild card loss in which Matt Hasselbeck threw a pick-six to Al Harris in overtime that decided the outcome, and a 38-10 thumping in 2016 in which Russell Wilson threw five interceptions. In addition, Green Bay is known to play well in wintry conditions and the temperature drops of December and January, especially in Wisconsin. This matchup will certainly not be easy and the Seahawks should definitely expect more resistance from Green Bay than they received from the Eagles.
Seattle has a prime opportunity to defeat the Packers in Lambeau for the first time this century. It will not be a cakewalk, but the Seahawks have proven themselves to be warriors on the road this season with an 8-1 record (postseason included) and they could extend that record on Sunday. If there is one thing the Seahawks know how to do, it is keeping a game competitive.
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