Almost no one is expecting the Seahawks to beat the Packers

[travisduncan]

Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) carries the ball during the 2nd half against the Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Dallas 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

By Travis Duncan
Seahawks Huddle writer

As the 2011 season began to take shape with its ups and downs, one thing became apparent: the Seahawks defense was evolving into one of the league's elite.

In 2012, even after a win at Dallas, in which the Seahawks held the Cowboys to a single touchdown, the general NFL public at large, fans, media and those connected with the league still may not realize just how good the Seattle defense is or can be.

The Packers offensive Juggernaut was slowed down by the San Francisco 49ers and then picked up a little steam Week 2 in a win against a very good Bears defense. But the Packers have not played where they want to be, or anywhere near the way they marched down the field and scored at will in 2011. After two weeks the Pack has scored 32 total points in two weeks and rank 14th in passing yards and 27th in rushing yards in the NFL.

After two games the 'Hawks are 2nd in the league against the rush (46.0 yards per game) and 13th against the pass. In terms of average yards per carry Seattle is No. 3 allowing opponents 2.56 YPC.

The game plan for Seattle should be pretty simple: force the Packers into a grind-it-out, run the ball, type of game and do not allow Aaron Rodgers and his flurry of receivers to find their rhythm for the first time all season.

Mr. Rodgers has the opposite game plan.

"They’re one of the louder environments in the league, and they thrive off that ability to get that extra half step off the ball," said Rodgers via the Packers website.

"It’s going to be important for us to find some rhythm early, get the lead, and get them out of it a little bit."

Offensively, expect the Seahawks to feed Money Lynch at the expense of a passing game. The Seahawks would like to establish the passing game in a perfect world, but the Packers are ranked 27th against the run, and the Seahawks are ranked No. 7 in the league in rushing yards.

The Packers are similar to the Seahawks in the secondary in that they are willing to make a play on a ball at the risk of giving up yardage. Expect Russell Wilson to be under pressure most of the game. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews leads the NFL with 6 sacks and will be rushing off the edge most of the night. They would like nothing more than for Wilson to make several bad passes under pressure, a la Jay Cutler a week ago Thursday night when the Packers forced four interceptions.

Seattle Times reporters and columnists, Danny O'Neil, Larry Stone, Jerry Brewer and Steve Kelley each are picking the Packers to win Monday Night.

At ESPN, Chris Mortensen and Keyshawn Johnson are picking the Seahawks, while Eric Allen, Mike Golic, Merril Hoge, Ron Jaworski, Adam Schefter, Mark Schlereth, Seth Wickersham, Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka and Chris Carter are picking the Packers.

Historically Speaking

Seattle has the best all-time MNF record in the NFL at 17-8. The Seahawks also boast a five game winning streak.

Best All-Time Winning %, Monday Night Football

Seattle 17-8 .680
Indianapolis 21-12 .636
Pittsburgh 39-23 .629
San Francisco 41-25 .621
Dallas 43-30 .589

All-Time Seahawks on Monday Night Football (17-8)

Oct. 29, 1979 W 31-28 at Atlanta
Nov. 26, 1979 W 30-7 N.Y. Jets
Nov. 17, 1980 L 19-17 Oakland
Nov. 16, 1981 W 44-23 San Diego
Oct. 29, 1984 W 24-0 at San Diego
Nov. 12, 1984 W 17-14 at L.A. Raiders
Sept. 23, 1985 L 35-24 L.A. Rams
Nov. 25, 1985 L 19-6 at San Francisco
Oct. 6, 1986 W 33-7 San Diego
Dec. 8, 1986 W 37-0 L.A. Raiders
Nov. 9, 1987 L 30-14 at N.Y. Jets
Nov. 30, 1987 L 37-14 L.A. Raiders
Nov. 28, 1988 W 35-27 L.A. Raiders
Dec. 4, 1989 W 17-16 Buffalo
Oct. 1, 1990 W 31-16 Cincinnati
Nov. 30, 1992 W 16-13 ot Denver
Nov. 1, 1999 W 27-7 at Green Bay
Oct. 2, 2000 L 24-17 at Kansas City
Oct. 14, 2002 L 28-21 San Francisco
Dec. 6, 2004 L 43-39 Dallas
Dec. 5, 2005 W 42-0 at Philadelphia
Nov. 6, 2006 W 16-0 Oakland
Nov. 27, 2006 W 34-24 Green Bay
Nov. 12, 2007 W 24-0 San Francisco
Dec. 12, 2011 W 30-13 St. Louis

 

[Cmoney]

thats awesome