The Seahawks are in Green Bay this weekend to face the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs, Seattle's seventh time advancing at least that far in the postseason in their 10 years under Pete Carroll and John Schneider. The Packers are also in the divisional round for the seventh time since 2010, and this will be the second playoff meeting between the teams in that span (Seahawks fans probably don't need help remembering the last one).
To learn more about the Seahawks' divisional-round opponent, we reached out to Packers.com senior writer Mike Spofford (you can find Mike on twitter here) with five questions about the Packers.
Q: Matt LaFleur is new to the Packers since these teams last met. How has the new head coach changed the way Green Bay plays?
Spofford: If I were to point to one thing, it would be the usage of running backs in all facets of the offense – the running game, the screen game, downfield passing, pre-snap motions. Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and even newcomer Tyler Ervin are doing all of those things. There's an unwavering commitment to their involvement, because so much of the rest of the offense opens up based on their activity and production. But some things haven't changed. The insistence on ball security and winning the turnover battle remains, as does the desire for Aaron Rodgers to create explosive plays and take shots downfield. Those Packers are much the same.
Q: Aaron Jones' role has obviously increased a lot under LaFleur. Just how important to Green Bay's offense has Jones become this season?
Spofford: Extremely. He nearly matched Ahman Green's franchise record for touchdowns in one season, coming up one short with 19. But it's not just that. When Jones produces, the Packers win. He had six 100-yard rushing games this season, and Green Bay went 6-0. That improves to 7-0 if you include his 100-yard receiving game at Kansas City. The other way to look at it is this: Jones had a total of 89 rushing yards, and just 125 yards from scrimmage, in the Packers' three losses combined. The Packers need him to produce. He has been this team's offensive MVP.
Q: Much like the Seahawks, the Packers are in the playoffs in part because of their ability to prevail in close games. What has allowed Green Bay to succeed in games that go down to the wire?
Spofford: I think it's belief more than anything. This team started LaFleur's tenure by winning back-to-back division games over Chicago and Minnesota in the final minutes, making key plays at key times. That beginning went a long way to establishing a confidence level in crunch time, that someone is going to step up and make the play that's needed at the right moment. The Packers have pulled out close games by intercepting passes in the end zone in the fourth quarter and by kicking walk-off field goals. They've won a lot of different ways, and they always believe they'll find a way.
Q: The Packers ranked ninth in scoring defense this season, their best ranking in that category in years. What has led to the team's defensive improvement this year?
Spofford: The ability to pressure quarterbacks and stand tall in the red zone. The Packers' total sack numbers aren't that much different from a year ago, but the defensive results are starkly different for a couple of reasons – they're affecting QBs on a lot of plays when they don't necessarily get sacks, and they're able to generate that pressure without having to rely on blitzes. The overhaul at edge rusher, which featured signing Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency and drafting Rashan Gary at No. 12 overall in the first round, changed the look of the defense. The Smiths have combined for 25½ sacks, the first duo in team history with at least a dozen apiece, and Za'Darius was credited with the most pressures in the league by Pro Football Focus. Kenny Clark's half-dozen sacks have given the pass rush an inside presence as well. As for the red zone, the Packers tied for sixth in the league, allowing TDs on only half (24 of 48) of opponent possessions inside the 20. That has kept point totals down.
Q: Outside of the obvious big names, tell us about a Green Bay player or two who you think could be an X factor in this game?
Spofford: On offense, I'll go with RB Jamaal Williams and WR Allen Lazard. For everything already said about Jones, Williams is a great complement to him in the backfield, with more of a power running style plus good hands and blocking skills. He could be especially important in short-yardage or goal-line situations. Lazard has gone from an undrafted find to Rodgers' No. 2 receiver very quickly. He's made some clutch catches this season and has the QB's trust. On defense, it's whoever might end up spying Russell Wilson to limit his scrambling. The Packers have several candidates for the job – Kyler Fackrell, Adrian Amos and Ibraheim Campbell are just some possibilities – and how they handle Wilson's incredible improvisational abilities will be a huge factor in this game.
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.
