Packers vs. Seahawks
It's said that defense and a running attack win postseason football games. Even in a time when passing stats reign supreme, last season Seattle proved this notion still holds true when they obliterated the highest octane offense the league has ever seen in Denver during the Super Bowl last year. But when Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback, you always have a chance.
The Seahawks enter with the top ranked defense once again, and face the NFL's top scoring offense in the Packers who put up 30.4 ppg. It's a dream matchup for NFL fans. The Packers strength is through the air where they average 266 yards a game. They face a Seahawks secondary giving up a measly 185 a game. Ok, well the Packers bring a nice balance with a ground attack that gains 119 yards a game....the Seahawks only give up 81 per game....hmm.
Offensively the Pack have their work cut out for them. But again, anytime you have Aaron Rodgers, you have a chance. Could it be though that Rodgers absolute dominance at Lambeau Field have skewed his overall production? The guy hasn't thrown a INT at home since 2012, are 9-0 there this year, and score 17.2 more points at home then on the road. Sunday's matchup is not at Lambeau Field. It's in the doghouse of the league's most tenacious defense, and a place where Russell Wilson is 25-2.
Seattle leans heavy on Marshawn Lynch and the run game, ranking tops in the NFL. Going against a Packer rush defense that ranked 23rd and surrendered 123 in the divisional round to Dallas, advantage Seahawks. The one advantage statistically for Green Bay is in their pass defense, which ranked 10th, going against the Seahawks who don't have a true number one wide receiver. That being said, Wilson does not take unnecessary chances when throwing, being more than ok punting and letting that defense go to work.
When it comes to the front lines, Rodgers and Wilson both have scrambling ability, Rodgers takes only 1.9 sacks a game to Wilson's 2.6. Rodgers is still battling a calf injury that clearly hampered him for three quarters last weekend. Wilson is healthy and has rushed for over 100 yards in a game three times this year.
Seattle's defense gelled at the right time and again looks like an absolute force. Add that to the punishing running attack of Lynch and a quarterback who doesn't lose at home and those are just too many factors for even Aaron Rodgers to overcome.
My Pick: Seahawks 30-17
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