Green Bay Packers (9-4) are set to face off against the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) on Sunday evening at 8:20 p.m. EST, broadcasted by NBC. BetMGM currently has the Packers favored by three points in this matchup. In terms of betting against the spread, Green Bay has a record of 7-6, while Seattle stands at 6-6-1. Historically, the Packers lead the series 15-9, with their last encounter resulting in a 17-0 victory for Green Bay at Lambeau Field on November 14, 2021. Heading into this game, the Packers are coming off a tough 34-31 loss to the Detroit Lions, while the Seahawks celebrated a successful 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Analyzing the Packers offense, it ranks overall at sixth in the league, with strong performances in rushing (fifth) and scoring (seventh), but falls to 11th in passing. Defensively, they are positioned 13th overall, ninth against the run, and 21st in pass defense but are ninth in scoring defense. On the Seahawks side, their offense sits 13th overall, with poor performance in rushing (27th) but an impressive passing attack (third), and they rank 15th in scoring. Meanwhile, Seattle’s defense is 18th overall, ranking poorly against the run (21st), and relatively solid in pass defense (10th) and scoring (11th).
A key player to keep an eye on for the Packers is Josh Jacobs, who joined the team this offseason on a four-year, $48 million contract. Jacobs is showing signs of his previous All-Pro form, having rushed for 1,053 yards and scored 11 touchdowns this season after an impressive 2022 campaign where he tallied 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns. Notably, he has recorded three touchdowns in two out of the last three games, totaling eight touchdowns in the last four outings.
For the Seahawks, Zach Charbonnet emerged as a standout performer in their last game against the Cardinals, achieving a career-high of 134 rushing yards along with two touchdowns. Charbonnet has stepped up in the absence of Kenneth Walker due to injuries and needs just 63 more rushing yards to surpass his rookie season total of 462. Additionally, he requires three more rushing touchdowns to become the first Seahawks player since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to reach at least ten rushing touchdowns in a season.
A crucial matchup to watch will be the effectiveness of the Packers’ offense, spearheaded by quarterback Jordan Love, against Seattle’s formidable passing offense led by Geno Smith. Smith has thrown for 3,474 yards and 14 touchdowns but has also dealt with 12 interceptions, which could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the game.
Injury concerns are at the forefront, especially for the Packers. Tight end Luke Musgrave was able to take part in individual drills this week. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has been sidelined for three games with a knee issue, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who is recovering from a concussion, both practiced this week and may be ready to return. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper also returned to practice after missing three games with a hamstring injury. On the Seahawks’ side, running back Kenneth Walker III is questionable for the game with an ankle and calf injury after missing the last game and leads the team with 542 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season. Cornerback Tre Brown is also listed as questionable after missing the Cardinals game due to a hamstring injury.
Historically, the Seahawks have been strong at home, winning the last three encounters in Seattle; however, they have lost four out of the last five meetings against Green Bay since 2015. The last time these teams met was a shutout victory for the Packers in 2021. The presence of Seattle’s home-field advantage adds an exciting layer to this important match.
In terms of stats, the Seahawks currently lead the tight NFC West having won four consecutive games, including the recent victory over Arizona. The Packers also have the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot this week, although it requires a series of unlikely events to unfold. According to NFL standings, Green Bay could secure a playoff berth with a win over the Seahawks, a loss or tie from the Atlanta Falcons, and a tie in the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. The last shutout in this rivalry occurred under coach Matt LaFleur’s leadership, showcasing their potential against NFC West teams, as they have won their last ten encounters against them.
For fantasy players, Seattle’s Tyler Lockett is someone to monitor after going without a catch against Arizona, marking the first game without a reception for him since December 2019. He is two touchdowns shy of surpassing Marshawn Lynch on the franchise’s all-time touchdowns list. With a pivotal matchup like this, it’s imperative for both teams to capitalize on their strengths while mitigating injuries as the playoff picture starts to take form.
