If the 2024 NFL Playoffs started today, one Wild Card matchup would be Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks. In a Sunday Night Football showdown, the 9-4 Packers travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks and their 8-4 record.
This is a crucial contest for both squads, as Green Bay tries to secure a post-season spot. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are attempting to stay ahead in their tight divisional race. Can the Packers beat a current division leader?
Key Players for the Green Bay Packers
Over his past three games, Jordan Love has not thrown an interception. Green Bay fans will certainly appreciate any contest without offensive turnovers. Especially after Love threw at least one pick in each of his first eight starts.
Playing mistake-free football should be the focus. Love will look to extend that streak of interception-less games to four.
A reliance on the run game would help that. But could the Packers be putting too much on Josh Jacobs‘ plate? Perhaps, but Jacobs has been carrying the Packers to victories. The tide has turned, and now the identity of this offense is the running back, especially in the red zone.
One would think the offensive line would be in favor of that. Linemen love nothing more than running down hill and hitting some defensive back in space. Matt LaFleur’s zone scheme allows that. And Green Bay certainly has talented offensive linemen to create run lane, but also protect the quarterback.
Arguably the two most important aspects to football are pass-rush and pass-protection. That is what enables big plays on offense, while minimizing them defensively.
It will be key for the Packers defense to pressure the quarterback. Especially up the middle against the interior of the offensive line.
Queue Kenny Clark. The veteran defensive tackle has had a subpar season, at least for his lofty expectations. However in the two most recent contests, Clark has put together his best back-to-back games this season. Green Bay will be hoping his continues his dominant ways.
Key Players for the Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback Geno Smith has experienced a career resurgence in Seattle. Originally a second-round selection by the New York Jets, Smith never really took off in New York. After flying around as a backup, he eventually landed with the Seahawks. Smith saw his first action with Seattle in relief of an injured Russell Wilson.
In 2022, the Seahawks traded away Wilson, which left the door open for Smith to take over. He responded by producing a career-best 30 touchdown passes, and an NFL season-high for completion percentage at 69.8.
With the help of talented pass-catchers, Smith has been entrenched as Seattle’s starter ever since. Specifically this season, the Seahawks have an excellent pair of wide receivers. But they win in completely different ways.
D.K. Metcalf represents an old-school prototypical top target. With his 6-feet 4-inch frame, and blazing speed, Metcalf is a classic big-bodied wide receiver who can win outside and downfield.
Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba fits perfectly into the 21st century style of football. Shorter routes and quicker throws are all the rage right now in the league. Smith-Nijgba plays primary as a slot receiver, a position that quarterbacks are targeting more and more.
Currently, Smith-Njigba leads Seattle in most major receiver categories. In spite of Metcalf’s larger frame, JSN appears to be the primary threat opposing defenses need to focus on.
Speaking of defense, head coach Mike Macdonald has inherited some talented players. That being said, he is getting the most out of his squad.
Take Leonard Williams, for instance. He has already hit the second-best sack mark of his career. Williams is a dominant interior pass-rusher who is also great against the run. And like his current quarterback, he was drafted by the Jets.
Now, the Smith and Williams combination will try to get the Seahawks soaring into the playoffs.
Keys to Win the Game
It will be interesting to see what type of coverages the Packers’ secondary utilizes. Either option poses risks.
Generally, D.K. Metcalf is better at beating man coverage, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba does best against zone. Green Bay defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, has primarily played with a zone defense. Considering the Packers’ injuries in the defensive backfield, that is not likely to change.
Smith-Njigba potentially becomes the preferred passing target for Geno Smith. That makes the nickel corner a key position for the Packers
While he has mostly played (and excelled) as an perimeter cornerback this year, Keisean Nixon could move into the slot for this game. That would give Green Bay a good cover corner lined up against Smith-Njigba. Winning that particular coverage matchup could make a massive difference in the outcome of this game.
Jaire Alexander is expected to start in Week 15. His return would likely come with an immediate assignment of covering Metcalf. With both players dealing with injuries, Alexander should be able to keep up with Metcalf’s speed. However, the size miss-match is the concerning aspect, especially in the red zone.
Good news for the Packers defense is that Seattle has the worst touchdown rate on goal-line passing plays. The Seahawks have only scored on 11 percent of throws inside the opponent’s 5-yard line. They have been unable to capitalize on Metcalf’s skill set in the end zone so far this year.
There is much at stake in the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks matchup. Both teams are looking to make a post-season run. But first, they face off in a pivotal primetime regular-season contest.
