The Seahawks and Packers face off at Lambeau Field Sunday with a trip to the NFC championship game on the line, the first postseason meeting between these teams since a memorable NFC championship game five years ago. The Seahawks are coming off of a wild-card win in Philadelphia that made them 8-1 on the road this season, while the Packers (13-3) are coming off of a bye as the NFC's No. 2 seed.
If the Seahawks are going to continue their winning ways on the road and keep their season going, these are three key matchups that could make the difference in Sunday's game:
1. "The Smith Brothers" vs. Seattle's pass protection.
First off, no, Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith aren't actually brothers, but the two 2019 free agent additions have become close enough since joining the Packers that they're frequently referred to as "The Smith Brothers" and they even do joint press conferences together. The other thing those two Smiths have done a lot of together this season is get to opposing quarterbacks, with Za'Darius recording 13.5 sacks and Preston recording 12, career-highs for both of them.
"They're really good," Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "Both the Smith brothers are excellent, both putting together great years. The things that they do with Za'Darius, they move him around. He goes everywhere, so he's hard to find where he's going to go and where they're going to put him. They come out of the two-point stance, which means they can see things a little bit different. They're really good. Then (Kenny) Clark inside pushed the pocket. It'll be quite the challenge for us. Our guys played really well last week. Good week of practice this week. Hopefully, it carries over to Sunday night."
As Schottenheimer notes, the Seahawks pass protection held up pretty well last week against an aggressive Eagles pass rush, especially considering the absences of left tackle Duane Brown and left guard Mike Iupati. After getting sacked five or more times four times in a six-game stretch late in the season, Russell Wilson was sacked only once in Week 17, then once again last week. Part of that has been the offensive line doing its job, but Wilson has also been really good of late working with his pass protection as he moves in the pocket to buy extra time.
"I think his confidence and his sense is really obvious," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Wilson's pocket movement. "He is feeling the consistency of the protection and he's moving consistently; the plays look a lot like the same—his drift, his step-up, and when he pops back out of it, it's looking very consistent. He's dangerous when that happens."
As for this week's game, the Seahawks won't know until gameday the status of Brown or his backup, George Fant, who are both listed questionable, and Iupati is doubtful, so the Seahawks will likely be short-handed up front to some degree once again. But Wilson's ability to move in the pocket will be needed again this weekend against Green Bay regardless of who is playing on the line thanks to the talent of the "The Smith Brothers" and the rest of the Packers pass rush.
2. Packers running back Aaron Jones vs. Seattle's run D.
Running back Aaron Jones isn't new to the Packers, but his importance to Green Bay's offense has changed this season under first-year head coach Matt LaFleur. Aaron Rodgers remains one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, but the Packers have been more balanced this year, and perhaps for the first time in Rodgers' prolific career, he might not be the MVP of that offense thanks to Jones, who rushed for 1,084 yards, had 474 receiving yards and scored 19 total touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL.
Jones had six 100-yard rushing games this season and one 100-yard receiving game, and the Packers went 7-0 in those games. He had only 125 total yards from scrimmage in Green Bay's three losses.
"I think the thing that looks the most obvious is the way the running back is playing," Carroll said when asked how the Packers look different this year under a new coach. "Aaron Jones has just been a huge factor for them. He's taken the pressure off the quarterback spot. The guy has rushed for 1,000 yards, caught almost 50 passes, and has been elusive. Scored 19 touchdowns or something like that. He's been a huge, huge factor. I think that has changed them as much as everything."
Said linebacker Bobby Wagner, "They have a great back, back there. They're able to rally off games where he's able to rush for 100 yards. I feel like that really sets up their play-action game, their boot game and things of that nature. The run game really complements what they do well already passing-wise. I would say that's the biggest difference that I see on film."
3. One battle tested, strong finishing team vs. another.
A big reason why the Seahawks went 11-5 this season and wound up back in the playoffs was the way that they were able to find a way to persevere in close games. The same can be said of the Green Bay Packers, who won the NFC North and finished 13-3 in no small part because they won a lot of close games.
The Seahawks went 10-2 in games decided by eight or fewer points during the regular season, making them the second team to win 10 one-score games in a season along with the 1978 Houston Oilers. The Seahawks added another one-score win last week when they beat the Eagles 17-9 in the wild-card round.
The Packers, meanwhile, went 8-1 in once-score games, including a comeback from a two-touchdown deficit in Week 17 to preserve a first-round bye. Considering how close playoff games tend to be—two of last week's wild-card games went to overtime, Tennessee beat New England by seven points and the Seahawks won by eight—there's a very good chance Sunday's game could go down to the wire, and no two teams are better prepared for those situations based off of their regular seasons than Green Bay and Seattle.
"It's playoff football," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said on a conference call. "It's going to be tight. The games are going to be close typically. Every play is so important."
Carroll joked last month that "it would really be OK if we could win by a lot sometimes," but he also believes there's value in those stressful finishes.
"I love close games," Carroll said in December. "I think they help you. They make you stronger. They keep you in the game longer. They make you have to focus farther, and it prepares you for more kinds of things that can happen that you need background and experience in."
With the playoff here, now is when that background can pay off.
And it's hardly a coincidence that two of the best teams in close games this year are teams led by two of the NFL's best quarterbacks. No player has more effect on the game, especially late, than a quarterback, and over the years Rodgers and Wilson have been two of the league's best when it comes to late-game heroics. Wilson has led the Seahawks to 32 fourth quarter or overtime game-winning drives in his career, postseason included, the most in the NFL since 2012, including five game-winning drives this season. Rodgers, meanwhile, has three this season and 25 in his career, including 19 since 2019.
In other words, there's a real chance this game could come down to which team executes better in the game's final moments, and after a season full of close games, both teams are as well prepared for that type of finish as any could be.
The Seahawks and the Packers will meet this Saturday at Lambeau Field for the final week of the 2023 preseason. Take a look back at the best photos from the teams' matchups over the years.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey (10) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Steve Niehaus (71) and defensive tackle Richard Harris (77) during an NFL game in Green Bay on October 10, 1976 . The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mike Curtis (32) stops Green Bay Packers running back Barty Smith (33) during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 10, 1976. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Greg Collins (50) closes in on a Green Bay Packers running back during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 10, 1976. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jeff West (8) punts during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay on November 1, 1981. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 34-24. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Jim Jodat (43) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay on November 1, 1981. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 34-24. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton (80) beats Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 15, 1978. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 45-28. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Brian Bosworth, top, of the Seattle Seahawks, tackles Kenneth Davis of the Green Bay Packers, holding him to a one-yard gain during the first quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Nov. 15, 1987. Seattle beat Green Bay, 24-13. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) runs his route covered by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Patrick Hunter (27) during a 20-14 Seahawks victory on December 9, 1990, at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback John Friesz (17) is taken down by Green Bay Packers' Sean Jones (96) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 29, 1996. Friesz gained two yards on fourth and ten. The Packers beat the Seahawks, 31-10 in Seattle.(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for a receiver as Green Bay Packers Marques Anderson defends Monday night Aug. 16, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. during second quarter action of their preseason game. (Mike Roemer/AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Ken Hamlin (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) in a snow during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 27, 2006 in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (81) heads downfield in the snow during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 27, 2006 in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, center, runs against the Green Bay Packers in a football game Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, in Seattle. Alexander's 201-yard performance on a career-high 40 carries across the snow-covered turf Monday rescued Seattle from a 21-12 deficit in the second half to beat the Packers. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (81) makes a catch during the second half of an NFC Divisional Playoff game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 42-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck calls signals during the first half of an NFC Divisional Playoff game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)
The line of scrimmage between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers during an NFL Monday Night Football game in Seattle, Washington Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stands on the field against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL Monday Night Football game in Seattle, Washington Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) runs the ball as Green Bay Packers free safety Micah Hyde (33) defends during an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field on Thursday September 4, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won 36-16. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field on Thursday September 4, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won 36-16. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Running back Marshawn Lynch (24) of the Seattle Seahawks evades Packers linebacker Brad Jones in a game in Seattle on September 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) throws the ball into the stands after scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during overtime of the NFC Championship game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 18, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks' Tanner McEvoy catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) runs with the ball during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68) on the line of scrimmage during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle's Tyler Lockett makes a running catch on Seattle's final scoring drive for 18 yards.
Seahawks defensive ends Rasheem Green and Frank Clark celebrate after Green sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) attempt to tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
As he makes his way to the field, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts greetings from 12s who made the trip to support the team.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf looks for running room on a 13-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett grabs a 28-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson on Seattleís first scoring drive of the game.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converts on a 45-yard field goal.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch gains yards in the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett is congratulated by teammate DK Metcalf after Lockettís seven-yard touchdown reception.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner runs onto the field.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown reacts after making a play.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams intercepts a pass in the end zone to thwart a scoring drive.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett lays out but can't make the catch just before halftime.
Seahawks Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks combine on a tackle.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly gains yards and a first down.
Brave 12s endured the cold and being surrounded by "Cheeseheads" at Lambeau Field.
