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Scout, coach predict Packers to grab win
Based on multiple online oddsmakers, the Seattle Seahawks are anywhere from a 7½- to 8½-point underdogs to the Green Bay Packers for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers' greatest edge in this game is their reward for finishing with the second-best record in the NFC: a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage. "I'd pick Green Bay. They're most rested. Their corners can match up very well," said an assistant coach for a Seattle rival in the NFC West. "(The Seahawks) are not a team that does a great job running the ball. Defensively, they'll give (the Packers) more than they've had rushing the passer, probably. "But in the big picture, I think (the Packers) will win the game. That bye is a nice deal. You're sparing your emotion while they're burning theirs up. I just think (the Packers) will win the game."
One scout and one assistant coach from rival teams in the NFC West agreed to assess the matchup with the Packers, and both predicted a close game, though both also predicted the Packers will win. "(The Seahawks) are a pretty good team when they're throwing the ball," the scout said. "But they can't run. The receiving corps is pretty talented — their playmaker is (Deion) Branch. The guy you have to be careful you don't forget about is this D.J. Hackett kid. He's a big kid that's pretty damn good in the red zone. They have no tight end. O-line as a whole is average to a little above average."
Passing offense
The Seahawks finished the season ranked eighth in the 32-team NFL in passing yards. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck ranked eighth in the NFL in passer rating (91.5 points, 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions in 16 starts). They have no Pro Bowl-type receiver but have good talent from No. 1 through 4, with Branch (49 receptions), Hackett (32 catches), Bobby Engram (94 catches) and Nate Burleson (nine touchdowns). Engram is the No. 3 receiver, so when Seattle goes to three- or four-receiver sets, starting cornerback Charles Woodson will move to the slot and cover him, while the Packers' No. 3 cornerback (Jarrett Bush, Tramon Williams or Will Blackmon) will be on the outside covering Hackett.
"Seattle's going to play a lot of three-receiver sets, and if you get pressure on that quarterback, he'll throw interceptions," the scout said. "Give him time, he'll pick you apart, and it's not down-the-field stuff, it's underneath stuff. I'd think if they go two receivers, (Green Bay) will play man and get after them pretty good. If they go three and four receivers, which they'll do to get (the Packers) out of being aggressive on defense, they'll have a chance."
Rushing offense
The Seahawks' run game, which was among the NFL's best when Shaun Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards in 2005, has fallen off the map, so Hasselbeck doesn't have the threat of a run game to slow the pass rush. Alexander gained only 716 yards and averaged 3.5 yards a carry this year. His backup, Maurice Morris, has been the better back (628 yards, 4.5 yards a carry).
Defensive line/linebackers
On defense, Seattle is small and fast in the front seven, where their top playmakers are defensive end Patrick Kerney (14½ sacks, Pro Bowl starter), middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (109 tackles, Pro Bowl starter) and outside linebacker Julian Peterson (10 sacks). The scout said Tatupu is comparable to but not better than the Packers' Nick Barnett. Defensive coordinator John Marshall moves Peterson around to allow him to rush the passer from various positions, sometimes with his hand down at right defensive end, other times to shoot a gap near Kerney, who at left defensive end will be matched against Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher.
Secondary
Seattle's secondary is its weak link. It has one good cornerback in Marcus Trufant, the No. 11 pick overall in the 2003 draft who returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown against Washington. He had seven interceptions in the regular season. The other starting cornerback is wispy Kelly Jennings (5-foot-11, 180), a first-round pick last year who isn't physical. Their nickel back usually is rookie Josh Wilson, a second-round pick who's only 5-9. Safeties Brian Russell and Deon Grant, both signed last offseason, are good tacklers but lack speed. Seattle's biggest problem will be matching up with the Packers' multiple-receiver sets, including when coach Mike McCarthy deploys five wide receivers and an empty backfield. "I think the (Packers) will win it," the scout said. "But they'll have to play pretty well."
Seahawks Keys For Success
1. Throw over the middle. The Packers' coverage is strong on the perimeter. And with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck struggling in the Seahawks' win last week over the Redskins, look for coach Mike Holmgren to call for more high-percentage throws and more passes to slot receiver Bobby Engram on quick slants and crossing routes to test the linebackers in deep coverage and to test Green Bay's overaggressive safeties. With Hasselbeck spreading the ball to as many as eight receivers, Green Bay could struggle to account for everyone.
2. Attack Brett Favre. The Seahawks ranked fourth in the NFL with 45 sacks. Nearly two-thirds of Seattle's sacks come from defensive linemen. With Favre spreading the ball around in the passing game, Seattle needs the athletic linebackers in coverage. That means it'll be up to defensive end Patrick Kerney and linemates to collapse the pocket and make Favre throw quickly and off his back foot. [DREAM ON]
3. Disguise pre-snap alignments. Seahawks linebackers Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill are all fast and athletic and can play in any situation on the field -- against the run, in coverage or as a blitzer. They will show certain alignments when Favre approaches the line and then adjust at the snap. All three linebackers drop quickly into coverage and could force Favre to hold the ball until the pass rush arrives or force an ill-advised throw into coverage. Favre will be smarter with the ball than Washington's Collins was last week, and Favre has the ability to check down quickly or get rid of the ball safely.
Packers Keys For Success
1. Maintain balance. The emergence of running back Ryan Grant in the second half of the season created a lot of opportunities for the offense. By running Grant effectively early in the game, Green Bay will set up play-action passes to allow Favre to attack the Seahawks downfield and underneath. A more effective passing attack will open up running lanes for later in the game.
2. Throw outside. Seattle has cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings play man-to-man often, relying on the pass rush to reach the quarterback and limit their exposure in coverage. The Packers, however, have some fast receivers in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones who can get open downfield. Expect Favre to challenge the man-to-man coverage when he feels he can beat the pass rush. Favre will put the ball up and let his receivers run under it.
3. Pressure Hasselbeck without blitzing. With running back Shaun Alexander struggling mightily, the Seahawks have gone to a pass-oriented attack. Hasselbeck will spread the ball around and take what the defense gives, throwing to the open man. Green Bay has two good cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson but will need the nickel backs and linebackers to help contain all the Seahawks' weapons and limit Hasselbeck's passing windows. Therefore, the Packers need defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to pressure Hasselbeck and force him to make quick throws. If he has time in the pocket to survey the field, even against seven men in coverage, he will find the open man. Full matchup
Practice notes: Spitz practices
Guard Jason Spitz was back on the practice field and taking most or all of his normal work this morning. "He's doing better," coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. "We have an injury report that we'll file (Wednesday), but I think we'll be very healthy for the game, including Jason."
Fullback John Kuhn (bruise) and linebacker Tracy White also returned to action, but cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) did not. The team didn't feel Blackmon was ready to test Monday, so he will test Wednesday, McCarthy said.
Quick hits
* TE Franks (knee) and WR Robinson (knee) left practice after the jog-through, presumably to get treatment.
* CB Woodson (toe) appeared to be a full participant.
* RB Jackson was absent because of illness & is expected to practice Wednesday.
:USA:
mg: mg: :yeah: mg: mg: :USA:
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Scout, coach predict Packers to grab win
Based on multiple online oddsmakers, the Seattle Seahawks are anywhere from a 7½- to 8½-point underdogs to the Green Bay Packers for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers' greatest edge in this game is their reward for finishing with the second-best record in the NFC: a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage. "I'd pick Green Bay. They're most rested. Their corners can match up very well," said an assistant coach for a Seattle rival in the NFC West. "(The Seahawks) are not a team that does a great job running the ball. Defensively, they'll give (the Packers) more than they've had rushing the passer, probably. "But in the big picture, I think (the Packers) will win the game. That bye is a nice deal. You're sparing your emotion while they're burning theirs up. I just think (the Packers) will win the game."
One scout and one assistant coach from rival teams in the NFC West agreed to assess the matchup with the Packers, and both predicted a close game, though both also predicted the Packers will win. "(The Seahawks) are a pretty good team when they're throwing the ball," the scout said. "But they can't run. The receiving corps is pretty talented — their playmaker is (Deion) Branch. The guy you have to be careful you don't forget about is this D.J. Hackett kid. He's a big kid that's pretty damn good in the red zone. They have no tight end. O-line as a whole is average to a little above average."
Passing offense
The Seahawks finished the season ranked eighth in the 32-team NFL in passing yards. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck ranked eighth in the NFL in passer rating (91.5 points, 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions in 16 starts). They have no Pro Bowl-type receiver but have good talent from No. 1 through 4, with Branch (49 receptions), Hackett (32 catches), Bobby Engram (94 catches) and Nate Burleson (nine touchdowns). Engram is the No. 3 receiver, so when Seattle goes to three- or four-receiver sets, starting cornerback Charles Woodson will move to the slot and cover him, while the Packers' No. 3 cornerback (Jarrett Bush, Tramon Williams or Will Blackmon) will be on the outside covering Hackett.
"Seattle's going to play a lot of three-receiver sets, and if you get pressure on that quarterback, he'll throw interceptions," the scout said. "Give him time, he'll pick you apart, and it's not down-the-field stuff, it's underneath stuff. I'd think if they go two receivers, (Green Bay) will play man and get after them pretty good. If they go three and four receivers, which they'll do to get (the Packers) out of being aggressive on defense, they'll have a chance."
Rushing offense
The Seahawks' run game, which was among the NFL's best when Shaun Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards in 2005, has fallen off the map, so Hasselbeck doesn't have the threat of a run game to slow the pass rush. Alexander gained only 716 yards and averaged 3.5 yards a carry this year. His backup, Maurice Morris, has been the better back (628 yards, 4.5 yards a carry).
Defensive line/linebackers
On defense, Seattle is small and fast in the front seven, where their top playmakers are defensive end Patrick Kerney (14½ sacks, Pro Bowl starter), middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (109 tackles, Pro Bowl starter) and outside linebacker Julian Peterson (10 sacks). The scout said Tatupu is comparable to but not better than the Packers' Nick Barnett. Defensive coordinator John Marshall moves Peterson around to allow him to rush the passer from various positions, sometimes with his hand down at right defensive end, other times to shoot a gap near Kerney, who at left defensive end will be matched against Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher.
Secondary
Seattle's secondary is its weak link. It has one good cornerback in Marcus Trufant, the No. 11 pick overall in the 2003 draft who returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown against Washington. He had seven interceptions in the regular season. The other starting cornerback is wispy Kelly Jennings (5-foot-11, 180), a first-round pick last year who isn't physical. Their nickel back usually is rookie Josh Wilson, a second-round pick who's only 5-9. Safeties Brian Russell and Deon Grant, both signed last offseason, are good tacklers but lack speed. Seattle's biggest problem will be matching up with the Packers' multiple-receiver sets, including when coach Mike McCarthy deploys five wide receivers and an empty backfield. "I think the (Packers) will win it," the scout said. "But they'll have to play pretty well."
Seahawks Keys For Success
1. Throw over the middle. The Packers' coverage is strong on the perimeter. And with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck struggling in the Seahawks' win last week over the Redskins, look for coach Mike Holmgren to call for more high-percentage throws and more passes to slot receiver Bobby Engram on quick slants and crossing routes to test the linebackers in deep coverage and to test Green Bay's overaggressive safeties. With Hasselbeck spreading the ball to as many as eight receivers, Green Bay could struggle to account for everyone.
2. Attack Brett Favre. The Seahawks ranked fourth in the NFL with 45 sacks. Nearly two-thirds of Seattle's sacks come from defensive linemen. With Favre spreading the ball around in the passing game, Seattle needs the athletic linebackers in coverage. That means it'll be up to defensive end Patrick Kerney and linemates to collapse the pocket and make Favre throw quickly and off his back foot. [DREAM ON]
3. Disguise pre-snap alignments. Seahawks linebackers Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill are all fast and athletic and can play in any situation on the field -- against the run, in coverage or as a blitzer. They will show certain alignments when Favre approaches the line and then adjust at the snap. All three linebackers drop quickly into coverage and could force Favre to hold the ball until the pass rush arrives or force an ill-advised throw into coverage. Favre will be smarter with the ball than Washington's Collins was last week, and Favre has the ability to check down quickly or get rid of the ball safely.
Packers Keys For Success
1. Maintain balance. The emergence of running back Ryan Grant in the second half of the season created a lot of opportunities for the offense. By running Grant effectively early in the game, Green Bay will set up play-action passes to allow Favre to attack the Seahawks downfield and underneath. A more effective passing attack will open up running lanes for later in the game.
2. Throw outside. Seattle has cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings play man-to-man often, relying on the pass rush to reach the quarterback and limit their exposure in coverage. The Packers, however, have some fast receivers in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones who can get open downfield. Expect Favre to challenge the man-to-man coverage when he feels he can beat the pass rush. Favre will put the ball up and let his receivers run under it.
3. Pressure Hasselbeck without blitzing. With running back Shaun Alexander struggling mightily, the Seahawks have gone to a pass-oriented attack. Hasselbeck will spread the ball around and take what the defense gives, throwing to the open man. Green Bay has two good cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson but will need the nickel backs and linebackers to help contain all the Seahawks' weapons and limit Hasselbeck's passing windows. Therefore, the Packers need defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to pressure Hasselbeck and force him to make quick throws. If he has time in the pocket to survey the field, even against seven men in coverage, he will find the open man. Full matchup
Practice notes: Spitz practices
Guard Jason Spitz was back on the practice field and taking most or all of his normal work this morning. "He's doing better," coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. "We have an injury report that we'll file (Wednesday), but I think we'll be very healthy for the game, including Jason."
Fullback John Kuhn (bruise) and linebacker Tracy White also returned to action, but cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) did not. The team didn't feel Blackmon was ready to test Monday, so he will test Wednesday, McCarthy said.
Quick hits
* TE Franks (knee) and WR Robinson (knee) left practice after the jog-through, presumably to get treatment.
* CB Woodson (toe) appeared to be a full participant.
* RB Jackson was absent because of illness & is expected to practice Wednesday.
:USA:
mg: mg: :yeah: mg: mg: :USA:
