Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Breakdown

“We want the ball and we’re gonna score!”

The words barely escaped from the lips of Matt Hasselbeck when Al Harris was strutting into the end zone sending Lambeau Field into frenzy just over four years ago.

Hasselbeck hopes to deliver on his claim this Saturday, and if the Seattle Seahawks would like a shot at the NFC crown, they better hope he does.

Hasselbeck’s passer rating has fallen short of 70 in five of his eight playoff starts. In a 35-14 win over the Washington Redskins last week, Hasselbeck threw two picks to go along with just one touchdown and 229 yards. Not exactly the clutch performer, Hasselbeck would do better to check down to pick up yardage underneath rather than try to fit balls into coverage.

The Seahawks would not be wise in placing the game on Shaun Alexander’s shoulders. Coming off a subpar season in which he averaged 3.5 yards per carry, Alexander collected just 46 yards on 15 carries against Washington and averages 3.5 yards per carry in his playoff career. The Redskins allowed 3.7 yards per carry to rushers this season; Green Bay, 3.9. Do not anticipate a breakout day for the former league MVP.

To frustrate a Packer defense which has allowed less than 20 points in ten games this season, Seattle must blend the pass and rush attacks on each drive. Falling into streaks can cause them to become predictable and Hasselbeck will have trouble with the Packer secondary.

Ryan Grant has 5.1 yards per carry, the fifth-best average in the league. He has been terrific in legitimizing the Green Bay ground game. While in the red zone, do not be shocked to find Green Bay attempting to pound its way to the goal line. Seattle allowed 16 rushing touchdowns-fifth most in the NFL.

Seattle’s defense is the least aggressive in football in terms of sending six-plus rushers. At first glance, this seems to work into the hands of Brett Favre, as 43% of his plays come from the shotgun (third highest in football). The Seahawks, however, allowed only 15 touchdown passes, the least in the NFL. Seattle will have no problem giving Favre some time to read coverage, because they feel their secondary is tough enough to hold up. While Favre may not post five touchdowns, he will have enough time to make good decisions and avoid interceptions.

Unless the Seahawks can protect the football and keep the field position battle in order, they will find themselves clawing at a two touchdown lead in the second half.

Packers 27, Seahawks 21