Dee Friedman
The NFL season kicks off with the defending champion Seahawks hosting Green Bay. The last time these teams met replacement officials gifted Seattle a 14-12 victory during week three in 2012. The Packers still managed to make the playoffs but the play cost them a first round postseason bye. Meanwhile, completing the hail mary was one of eight wins during a perfect home campaign and a wild card birth for the Seahawks.
The NFL season kicks off with the defending champion Seahawks hosting Green Bay. The last time these teams met replacement officials gifted Seattle a 14-12 victory during week three in 2012. The Packers still managed to make the playoffs but the play cost them a first round postseason bye. Meanwhile, completing the hail mary was one of eight wins during a perfect home campaign and a wild card birth for the Seahawks.
After going 8-0 at home in 2012, the Seahawks were 7-1 in the northwest last season during the regular season before winning two home playoff games. They won with defense and a stout ground game. Seattle ranked number one in the league stopping the pass and seventh best against the run. Meanwhile, thanks mostly to Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson, Seattle was fourth in the NFL running the ball. The Seahawks were tops in the NFL forcing 39 turnovers and best in the league at a +22 turnover ratio.
Despite missing half the season, Aaron Rodgers was able to lead the Packers to the playoffs last year. Green Bay was 6-2 in the games he played more than a cameo role, and that included single handily beating the Bears for a playoff birth in week 17. Green Bay finished the regular season 8-7-1 thanks to an offense that produced more than 400 yards a game, third best in the league. The Packers ranked in the top seven both running and passing last year. On defense, Green Bay allowed nearly 27 points a game, tied with Houston, and a slot behind Cleveland.
Last year the Packers went 0-3 during the regular season against playoff teams and then fell to San Francisco in the postseason. Seattle’s final six games, three regular season and three in the playoffs, resulted in 175 points scored and 67 allowed. The Packers were 6-10 last year against the spread including 3-5 on the road. The Seahawks were 11-5 against the number and went 5-3 at home.
