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The Seahawks (8-3-1) head to Green Bay this weekend for a matchup with the Packers (6-6) at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT with television coverage on FOX (channel 13 in Seattle).
Here's a look at which side the national media is predicting to win this weekend's matchup:
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com expects the game to come down to the wire, taking Seattle over Green Bay, 24-23, "In their past three games, the Seahawks have run for 519 yards and averaged 6.41 yards per carry. Getting the ground game going will be critical in Green Bay. On the defensive side, they'll have to get acclimated to life withoutEarl Thomas, but Seattle's defense is allowing a league-low 16.17 points per game. Expect a close game decided in the final two minutes."
Rob Demovsky at ESPN.com thinks the Seahawks win 31-23, "Aaron Rodgers has gotten hot, but Russell Wilson may be hotter. And the Packers' defense appears to be in shambles. That could be the difference in this one. Rodgers ranks second in the NFL in Total QBR (91.2) the past two weeks, behind only Marcus Mariota, and he has been sacked just once in those two games. But Wilson has won four of his past five games, and his Total QBR in that stretch (80.5) ranks fifth in the NFL. He might shred a Packers defense that has just about every linebacker on the injury report."
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com predicts a 23-20 overtime victory for the Packers, "Oh, man -- maybe the toughest game to call on the Sunday slate. Maybe the coolest game on the Sunday slate, too. These teams have engaged in some remarkable affairs in recent history, from the 2014 NFC Championship Game to the 'Fail Mary' to 'We want the ball, and we're gonna score!' Yes, Matt Hasselbeck and Brett Favre dueled in that infamous 2003 wild-card game. Thirteen years later, and the quarterback matchup might be even better. Aaron Rodgers has been hot lately. Russell Wilson is having by far his worst season, but is running around again. (And it's damn hard to defend.) With Wilson under center, Seattle is 29-7 in December. The Packers are 15-2 at home in December during Rodgers' reign. That's even stronger."
Chris Burke at SI.com thinks the play of safety Steven Terrell, who will fill in for the injured Earl Thomas, will impact the outcome of Sunday's game, ultimately selecting the Seahawks to win 28-27, "What will the Seahawks' defense be without Earl Thomas? The aforementioned Steven Terrell is in the spotlight starting Sunday. Even if the D is significantly weakened now, though, can the Packers take advantage? Seattle still has its stout cornerbacks outside, led by Richard Sherman, to deal with the likes of Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson, plus a pass rush that can crank it up with the best of them—Michael Bennett's recent return does not offset the Thomas loss, but it helps a ton. Still, Rodgers has been locked in and he is not hesitating even a bit when he has a chance to run. This game marks a major test for the Packers' linebacking corps. And not just because Thomas Rawls had 106 yards last game but because someone has to be responsible for Russell Wilson. With Clay Matthews (shoulder) ailing and both Nick Perry (finger) and Blake Martinez (knee) out, the options are limited."
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com picks the Packers to win at home, 24-20, "This is a survival test for the Packers. They must have this one. But Seattle seemed to get right against the Panthers. That defense will miss Earl Thomas, which will show up. Aaron Rodgers beats Russell Wilson."
Michael David Smith at ProFootballTalk.com predicts a high-scoring affair with the Seahawks winning 34-31, "This is the most intriguing game of the week to me. Is Aaron Rodgersall the way back and ready to attack a Seahawks secondary that's missing Earl Thomas? Can the Packers' defense slow down Thomas Rawls and a good Seahawks running game? I think this will be a higher-scoring game than most expect, with the Seahawks coming out on top."
Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com also has Seattle coming out on top, 24-20, "Green Bay's last two wins were, in hindsight, not very impressive. The Eagles have slumped to 5-7, and the Packers didn't exactly steamroll an overmatched Texans team. The Seahawks have the pass rush to overcome the absence of safety Earl Thomas, and the offense to take pressure away from the defense."
Peter Schrager at FOXSports.com calls the Seahawks-Packers matchup one of the most intriguing this weekend, and picks Green Bay to win 24-20, "There are a lot of great games this weekend, but this might be the most intriguing of all. I like the Packers, at home in December, in an absolute must win. Green Bay has beaten Seattle the past four times they've played in Lambeau, and without Earl Thomas I can see Aaron Rodgers having one of those days. The Seahawks still lead the Cardinals by three games in the NFC West standings. This is do or die for the Packers. The stakes are too high to lay an egg. Give me Green Bay."
David Steele at Sporting News thinks the Seahawks win by double digits, 34-24, "Seattle will know by kickoff whether they'll be playing to clinch the NFC West and end the Cardinals' brief reign. That will be satisfying for them, but so would finding a way to keep the resurgent Packers offense in check without Earl Thomas. Worth remembering: Aaron Rodgers could light up the shorthanded Legion of Boom, yet the Packers' defense could still let Russell Wilson do the same to them."
Three of five writers at USA Today like the Seahawks to win.
Four of eight experts at CBSSports.com predict a Seattle victory.
And two of nine analysts at ESPN.com pick the Seahawks to win this weekend.
