Staff writer Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com provides a closer look at Seattle's Week 14 opponent:
1. What has been the difference for the Packers offense the last few games after their early season struggles?
Hodkiewicz: The Packers moved to a more pass-centric offense after RB Eddie Lacy was lost for the season after undergoing ankle surgery with Aaron Rodgers on pace for his first season with 600 passing attempts. The passing game struggled to get into a rhythm earlier this season, but has been clicking over the past month with WR Davante Adams' breakout season and TE Jared Cook (ankle) returning after a six-game layoff. The biggest key probably has been the return of WR Jordy Nelson, who's the only offensive player left from Rodgers' first year as a starting quarterback in 2008. Nelson has been so steady this season, leading the Packers with 69 catches for 872 yards and 10 touchdowns. His eight catches for 118 yards and a touchdown last week played heavily into the Packers prevailing against Houston.
2. Seahawks safety Steven Terrell said he is prepared for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to test him Sunday. How do you think Green Bay will send their WRs and TEs at him?
Hodkiewicz:That's a tough question to answer since the Packers have worked underneath so much this year. This offense is at its best when it converts first downs and gets the quick passing game going. Depending on how Seattle deploys Terrell, the Packers could try to get the play-action game going and work the ball downfield early with Cook and Nelson. Rodgers is as savvy as they come, so you can bet he'll probably be looking to test the former undrafted free agent at some point on Sunday.
3. What has made the Packers so good against the run this season? How equipped are they for a physical back like Thomas Rawls?
Hodkiewicz:They have to limit the big play. The Packers have dropped a little over the past month in run defense due in large part to DeMarco Murray's 75-yard touchdown on the first play against Tennessee and Robert Kelley's 66-yard run at the end of the Packers' 42-24 loss in Washington. The Packers' defensive front was helped by the return of second-year linebacker Jake Ryan last week against Houston from an ankle injury. Green Bay also could get back rookie Blake Martinez, who missed last week's game with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Mike Daniels sets the tone upfront, but the defense will need to overcome the loss of Nick Perry, who is the team's best run-defender at outside linebacker in addition to leading the Packers with eight sacks.
4. How is former Seahawks running back Christine Michael coming along after his first two games? Do you think the Packers will feature him more this weekend?
Hodkiewicz:The Packers worked him in more against Houston. He carried the ball nine times for 19 yards on 11 snaps against the Texans after getting one carry for four yards on two snaps in his debut with the Eagles. His explosiveness was the first thing that really stood out to me against the Texans. I still expect the Packers to use a committee approach in the backfield going forward, though. Green Bay has two traditional running backs in James Starks and Michael, but you'll also frequently see converted receiver Ty Montgomery line up in the backfield. Montgomery has made a significant jump in his second NFL season, becoming a legitimate threat when he lines up in the backfield as both a ball carrier and pass-catcher.
5. How has Green Bay's pass rush been impacted due to the injuries to Perry and Clay Matthews? Will this be another important game for young players such as Jayrone Elliott, rookie Dean Lowry, etc.?
Hodkiewicz:Matthews already was dealing with a hamstring injury when he sustained the shoulder sprain last week against Philadelphia. He was limited to 29 snaps against Houston, rushing mainly in obvious passing situations. While he didn't record a tackle or sack, Matthews said he came out of the game no worse for the wear. He was feeling better this week, which allowed him to practice a little on Thursday when the original plan called for him not to practice until Saturday. Perry's injury likely will mean Matthews lining up more outside in this game, but I'll be interested to see how the Packers split his time between inside and outside linebacker going forward. He's played both spots in the past two games. Elliott and former first-round pick Datone Jones should see their reps increase this week, but the key for the pass rush will be 15-year veteran Julius Peppers, who has a sack in each of the Packers' last three games and 6½ on the season.
6. Finally, is Seahawks-Packers one of the most underrated rivalries in football?
Hodkiewicz: I think so. It's not easy to win on a year-in, year-out basis. You've seen teams in both conferences make Super Bowl runs and then drop back. The Packers and Seahawks have consistently stayed at the league's forefront over the last four or five seasons. That's a testament to the team Green Bay-area native John Schneider has established in Seattle and Ted Thompson's stewardship of the Packers over the past 12 years since coming over from Seattle. Several historic games have been played between these two franchises in record years and I think it was big for Green Bay to finally snap its three-game losing skid to Seattle last September. I'll be interested to see how this one plays out at Lambeau Field on Sunday, especially if it snows as much as the current reports are suggesting.
Take a look at the Green Bay Packers players you can expect to see when the Seattle Seahawks take the field in Week 14 at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers looks up during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) sets for play during a Sept. 11, 2016 opening-week NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville, Fla. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) before his NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) warms up during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Chicago, Ill. The Packers won the game, 31-23. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook runs with the football as he warms up prior to a NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 17-7. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (82) in action during an NFL NFC Divisional Playoff football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals , Saturday, January 16, 2016, in Glendale, AZ. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman David Bakhtiari (69) rests during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wi. The Packers won the game, 34-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers Jason Spriggs (78) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Lane Taylor (65) looks on during the NFL week 10 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Eagles won the game 27-13. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) watches from the sidelines in an NFL game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley looks on from the sidelines in action against the Detroit Lions during a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 in Green Bay, Wis. The Lions won, 18-16. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Green Bay Packers T.J. Lang (70) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Green Bay Packers center JC Tretter looks on from the sidelines during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won the game, 17-14. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Green Bay Packers Aaron Ripkowski (22) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Green Bay Packers running back (44) James Starks on the field during warmups before a game against the Oakland Raiders played at O.co Coliseum in Oakland on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL Sunday Night football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Ariz. The game ended in a 6-6 tie. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive end Letroy Guion (98) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry runs on the field as he warms up prior to a NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 17-7. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark looks on from the sidelines during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won the game, 17-14. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) celebrates his sack of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) looks on from the sidelines during a week 7 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 26-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas (48) looks on as he stands on the playing field during a week 7 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 26-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) rests during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wi. The Packers won the game, 34-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Quinten Rollins (24) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall during NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers defensive back Micah Hyde (33) rests during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wi. The Packers won the game, 34-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers cornerback LaDarius Gunter (36) watches from the sideline during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Friday, August 26, 2016. The Packers defeated the 49ers 21-10 (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) rests during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wi. The Packers won the game, 34-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers long snapper Brett Goode (61) looks on from the sideline during the NFL week 9 football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game 31-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Green Bay Packers' Jacob Schum walks on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) on the sideline in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns in Green Bay, Wis., Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
