Local and national media predict the winner of Thursday night's game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field.
Bob Condotta, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 27, Packers 17
Condotta: The Seahawks have been the kings of prime time under Pete Carroll, and while Sunday's loss to the Rams was a tough one to take, another effort like that would be good enough to beat Green Bay, especially with the Packers having to travel a long way on a short week. But Seattle's run defense has to start getting better.
Mike Vorel, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 28, Packers 24
Vorel: The team that runs the ball more effectively should have an edge in Thursday's game. The Seahawks lead the NFL in rushing yards per game, while the Packers are tied for the league-lead with 5.2 yards per carry. Oh, and expect Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers to make a few plays of their own. The Seahawks haven't forced a turnover in their last two games. That streak will snap on Thursday and the shaky Seattle defense will do just enough to earn a home win.
Larry Stone, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 22, Packers 19
Stone: One thing you know when the Packers come to town is that something weird and memorable will happen. But all the Seahawks want is for a victory to happen; it's almost essential to maintain their playoff hopes. These are two evenly matched teams, but I'll give Seattle the slightest edge based on playing at home – though that hasn't helped them too much lately.
Matt Calkins, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 24, Packers 21
Calkins: I agree with Pete Carroll that the Seahawks are better than their record indicates, even if they've lost their ability to close out the close ones. I also know that when the lights are on, Seattle tends to play its best. Look for the running game flourish as the Seahawks control the tempo and keep their postseason hopes alive.
Sgt. Ronald Shurer, Puyallup native Medal of Honor recipient, **Seattle Times** Celebrity Guesser: Seahawks 27, Packers 21
Shurer: The Seahawks' home field advantage will be too much for the Packers. 12s!
Jim Moore, **710Sports.com**: Packers 28, Seahawks 21
Moore: I'm guessing fans in Green Bay are doing the same thing 12s are doing – trying to figure out how good their team is. With each team, depending on the game, you feel like they're going to make the playoffs or you feel like it's just not going to happen this year. Both teams are somewhere in the middle right now, and we'll have a better idea of which team is a playoff team and which isn't after the outcome in this one.
Ryan Wilson, **CBSSports.com**: Seahawks 28, Packers 24
Wilson: The Packers are coming off a win over the Dolphins while the Seahawks played well enough to beat the Rams in Los Angeles. It didn't happen, but of these teams, Seattle is playing the better football. Whether they're better positioned to grab a wild-card spot is another matter (both teams are on the outside looking in; the Packers are 4-4-1 and the Seahawks are 4-5 -- and both behind the Panthers and Vikings for the final two playoff spots). Perhaps the most impressive development has been the Seahawks' offensive line followed by a defense that is Legion of Boom-less but still one of the best units in the league. Who knows the status of Rodgers' knee but this much is certain: He can't do it by himself.
John Breech, **CBSSports.com**: Seahawks 26, Packers 23
Breech (who has correctly picked the outcome of all nine of Seattle's game this season): Although I haven't done as well picking the Packers this season, I've noticed a couple of important things about them over the past few weeks that probably won't help them in Seattle: They can't win on the road and they can't stop the run. That second one is going to be an issue because the Seahawks have the top rushing offense in the NFL while the Packers have given up 140.6 yards per game on the ground since Week 6, which is the fifth-worst in the NFL over that span. Green Bay's 0-4 road record is also a problem, because the Packers have to play a Seahawks team that almost never loses at home in primetime, and if I've learned one thing about picking Seahawks games it's that you never pick against them at home in primetime (They're 14-2 since hiring Pete Carroll).
Vinnie Iyer, **Sporting News**: Seahawks 31, Packers 27
Iyer: Wilson gets the edge at home, and his own running will make the difference.
David Steele, **Sporting News**: Seahawks 33, Packers 28
Steele: For all their weaknesses, the Packers are right smack in the middle of the playoff race and the NFC North battle. The Seahawks are left to fight for a wild-card berth, and it's uphill for them after the aggravatingly close, last-possession losses to the two LA teams over the last two weeks.
More Picks From Around The Web
- A majority of the experts polled at CBSSports.com pick the Seahawks to win straight up.
- Five of seven at SB Nation side with the Seahawks.
