The Seattle Seahawks clinched the top seed in the NFC for the second straight year, and are looking to make a repeat trip to the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers stand in their way, who are trying to make their second Super Bowl in four years.
Records:
Seattle: 13-4
Green Bay: 13-4
Last Meeting: Seahawks won 36-16 in Week 1
Green Bay Outlook:
The Packers have risen to the top of the NFC behind the arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and their high-powered offense. Rodgers will be playing with a torn left calf muscle, an injury he suffered late in the regular season, but he still managed to throw for 316 yards and three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
Green Bay's defense is solid, but their bread and butter is in the passing game. Wideouts Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are tasked with facing the Legion of Boom, and if they are able to find soft spots in Seattle's secondary, the Packers have a great chance to win.
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Seattle Outlook:
The Seahawks are following the same recipe for success that worked for them last year - a strong defense complemented by a good running game. Quarterback Russell Wilson has played like one of the best at the position lately, but Seattle's offense still relies on Marshawn Lynch running the ball.
Seattle's defense was able to control the line of scrimmage and Green Bay's receivers in the Week 1 matchup between these teams, and they'll try to use the same formula to beat the Packers again on Sunday.
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What to watch for:
When these two teams met in the first game of the season, Rodgers never threw the ball to Richard Sherman's side of the field, limiting Green Bay's normally explosive offense. Both Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy received a lot of criticism for that, so I expect them to test Sherman early and often. Whoever wins that matchup early will be able to control the game.
Prediction: Seahawks win 27-23
Green Bay's offense is better prepared for Seattle's defense then they were in the season opener, but Seahawks' offense is also playing better. Both will play well, but Seattle's defense always steps up in the biggest games,and I expect them to make enough plays down the stretch to seal the victory.
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