The Seahawks will host the Packers on Sunday night in a matchup of two NFC playoff contenders, meaning the stakes are high for this prime-time showdown. The Seahawks (8-5) have won four in a row to take the lead in the NFC West, while the Packers (9-4) are looking to bounce back after last Thursday's loss to the Lions.
To help you get ready for this week's game, we reached out to Packers.com senior writer Wes Hodkiewicz with five questions about this week's opponent:
What is the mentality of the Packers/what are the spirits of the team like after a second loss to the Lions? Green Bay is obviously in very good shape for a playoff berth but appears to be fighting a tough battle now to be in the race for a division title.
Hodkiewicz: The spirits remain high even though the NFC North is out of the Packers' control at this point. They sit three games behind Detroit and two behind Minnesota with four left to play. But Green Bay still has a very confident locker room that's focused on securing a playoff berth and preparing for a postseason run. Historically, the Packers have played their best football down the stretch under Matt LaFleur. Coming out of the loss in Detroit, LaFleur's message to his team was to assume a playoff mindset in hope of peaking at the right time like the Packers did last year.
Jordan Love hasn't thrown an interception in his past three games after throwing at least one in each of his first eight. What has allowed the Packers QB to clean up that area of his game in what was already a very strong season for the second-year starter?
Hodkiewicz: I honestly think it's as simple as Love getting healthy again. He sprained his medial collateral ligament at the end of the opener against Philadelphia in Brazil and then tweaked his groin muscle in the win over Jacksonville in Week 8. Since the Week 10 bye, Love has regained the ability to freely navigate the pocket and just looks more like himself. Love is only in his second year as a starter, but it seems like he's a strong finisher. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL during the final six weeks of the 2023 season and it helped Love getting a long-term deal done with the Packers this past summer. He has all the tools and seems to finally be in position to use them.
On the other side of that, Green Bay's defense is among the league leaders in takeaways with 24, and have forced multiple turnovers in eight of 13 games this season; what has allowed that group to create so many turnovers?
Hodkiewicz: I'd say it's been two things. First, incoming defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has implemented a more vision-based defense that looks to put players in position to take the ball away. Green Bay still plays quite a bit of zone but Hafley won't hesitate to mix things up depending on what the offense is showing. The biggest change from last year is also Hafley's willingness to blitz practically anyone on the field. The Packers' inside linebackers and slot cornerbacks have been very involved in pressure packages this year. Both Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper (who's missed three games with a hamstring) run in the low 4.5s and can quickly get after the QB. The second key to Green Bay's takeaways has been Xavier McKinney, who's tied for the league lead in interceptions with seven. He has been a game-changer at what was perhaps Green Bay's weakest position in 2023. It's not only the takeaways but also how the 25-year-old safety hawks over the back end. He is an eraser who makes the other 10 guys on the field better.
Other than the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor in this game?
Hodkiewicz: Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers' second-year receiver battled drops earlier this season but had arguably his best game of the year in Detroit. A fifth-round pick out of Virginia last year, Wicks serves as a complement to the trio of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs (who's still in the concussion protocol at the time I'm writing this) and Jayden Reed but has a knack for gaining separation and blocks with authority. Getting Wicks going would be a major boon for the Packers' offense down the stretch. Second-year safety Zayne Anderson is also another name to keep an eye on if rookies Evan Williams (concussion protocol) and Javon Bullard (ankle) can't go Sunday. Anderson has been a special-team stalwart in Green Bay the past two seasons but has played sparingly on defense. In fact, 53 of Anderson's career 61 defensive snaps in relief of Williams came against the Lions.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Hodkiewicz: The Packers' defensive front vs. Kenneth Walker III/Zach Charbonnet. Green Bay has made an about-face against the run under Hafley, creeping into the top 10 in both run defense (106.9 yards per game) and yards per carry (4.11). Over the last three games, the Packers have allowed just 194 rushing yards and a touchdown on 64 carries (3.0 ypc). I know what the stats say, but it sure seems like Seattle found some magic on the ground in that rematch with Arizona. It's going to be critical to keep Walker and/or Charbonnet in check to allow the defensive front to pin its ears back in pursuit of Smith on third down. It's been a grind getting after the QB for the Packers this season, but Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark are heating up. I don't know what the plan is this week for Jaire Alexander, who's played just 10 snaps since the bye because of a knee injury. If Alexander can go, it would be interesting to see him matchup with either D.K. Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If there's no Alexander, then it's up to Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes to keep pace with a pretty electric receiving corps.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones heads from the buses to the team charter on Saturday.
Hours before the game, offensive Ryan Grubb talks to his players including Geno Smith and Brady Russell.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown makes a one-handed catch during pregame warmups.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith shakes hands with new receiver and return specialist Jaelon Darden before the game.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson and long-snapper Chris Stoll on the field during early warmups.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant catches passes in pregame, foreshadowing an interception he would have hours later.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams tapes his fingers in an area of the locker room before the game.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet gets focused before heading to the field for kickoff.
Newly acquired Jaelon Darden shakes hands with a teammate before the game.
Seahawks defensive lineman Mike Morris sits in the locker room before the team took field.
Head coach Mike Macdonald talks to the team in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith leads the team to the field.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams acknowledges 12s in the stands in Arizona as the team takes the field.
Seahawks safety Julian Love kneels in prayer in the end zone before the game.
Seahawks game captains Julian Love, Brady Russell and Abraham Lucas witness the opening coin toss.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet stiff arms Arizona's Budda Baker.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon sells out to make a tackle.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV returns an interception off of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba snags a touchdown catch from Geno Smith in the first quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant celebrates his first quarter interception.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds open space after the catch.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet runs over Arizona's Budda Baker.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson, who had been battling an injury, punts during the second quarter.
Seahawks Byron Murphy II celebrates with Johnathan Hankins after a sack of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Seattle receiver DK Metcalf makes a stunning leap over the Cardinals defender.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches the ball just millimeters above the turf to keep a second quarter drive alive.
Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet takes off on a 51-yard touchdown run before halftime.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo celebrates with running back Zach Charbonnet who takes a bow in the end zone after his 51-yard touchdown run.
12s took over and were seen and heard all over State Farm Stadium during the Seahawks victory.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon reacts after making a saving tackle on third down to force the Cardinals into a punt.
At halftime, head coach Mike Macdonald talks to the defense in the locker room.
Fans of Zach Charbonnet were not disappointed as the running back scored twice and ran for 134 yards.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett was this close to catching a touchdown pass in the end zone in the third quarter.
Seahawks fans played the Grinch to the Cardinals supporters.
Zach Charbonnet celebrates with offensive line members Charles Cross, Sataoa Laumea and tight end AJ Barner after a first down.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams celebrates with the 12s in attendance as he heads to the locker room after the game.
Offensive line coach Scott Huff is celebrated by his linemen and Seahawks running backs after being awarded a game ball by head coach Mike Macdonald in the locker room after the victory.
