NFC Title Game:

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks

TV: Fox, 2 pm CT

It’s been 134 days since the last time these two teams played each on Thursday, September 4th to open the NFL regular season. A lot has changed, yet a lot has remained the same. Gone is former leading receiver for Seattle, Percy Harvin, who is now a New York Jet. Back is Packers starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga who was hurt in the first quarter of the previous matchup, Arrived is Packers rookie wide receiver Davante Adams, who torched the Cowboys last week for seven catches, 117 yards, and a touchdown catch, was not a starter, and Clay Matthews was playing outside linebacker, not middle linebacker, the spot he has occupied since the about Week 7 or 8. The most important difference is the health of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was healthy in Week 1, but now is dealing with a torn left calf.  The biggest matchups when Seattle has the ball are between the Packer’s excellent linebackers Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, and Nick Perry vs. Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch and the Seattle offensive line. In Week 1, Seattle ran for a little over 200 yards on about six yards a carry. If Lynch is able to run wild on the Green Bay defense, it’s game over because Russell Wilson is deadly on play action passes and zone read runs. However, if the Packers defense can limit the Seahawks to 3rd and 5 situations or longer, the Packers have a shot at limiting the Seahawks O. When the Packers have the ball, it’s all about the ground game. If Eddie Lacy can have success running the ball, that will go a long way towards deterring the Seahawks intimidating pass rush. Aaron Rodgers needs to have near-perfect pass blocking from his line, as the mobility he’s known for is almost non-existent because of his calf.  In order for the Pack to sustain their offensive success from last Sunday, Rodgers has to be perfect because of the combination of his lack of mobility and the excellent play of the Seattle secondary, which features three All Pros in the form of cornerback Richard Sherman, strong safety Kam Chancellor, and free safety Earl Thomas. The odds are stacked in the Seahawks favor, as the Packers need perfection from their entire team to come out of Seattle victorious. While my heart says Pack, my brain says Seattle.

What I want to happen:

Green Bay: 34 Seattle: 28

What will probably happen:

Seattle 31 Green Bay 20