In what will be their most brutal stretch of games, the Green Bay Packers will travel to the West Coast to take on the Seahawks in Week 15.
The Packers have lost four in a row in Seattle, with their last victory coming in 2008 when Aaron Rodgers was playing in his first season as the starting quarterback. While Green Bay is looking to end their losing streak, it won’t be basic against a Seahawks team that is on a four-game winning streak led by a defense that ranks first in points allowed per game over that span.
Seattle (8-5) is currently in first place in the NFC West, which means Sunday’s matchup could be a potential playoff preview. Both teams still have work to do, especially the Packers, who were all but eliminated from the division race after last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions.
Green Bay (9-4) is in a good position to secure a wild card spot, but it will be significant to gain momentum heading into the season. Let’s hope it starts with a quality win over a playoff-caliber team this week. As we look ahead to the highly anticipated Week 15 NFC matchup, the outcome could come down to three key matchups for the Packers.
Edge Rashan Gary vs. left tackle Charles Cross
Gary typically lines up on the left edge of the defensive line, but that wasn’t the case last week when Detroit lost left guard Taylor Decker. Gary recorded his fifth sack of the season and increased the pressure by lining up primarily across from backup Dan Skipper. Gary won’t have a sub this week, but it would be wise to keep him in a good position. Seattle pass rusher Charles Cross has given up the second-most pressures among offensive tackles this season and has allowed five sacks. Meanwhile, Gary has strengthened over the course of the season and could have a real substantial day against a left-back who has struggled to protect Geno Smith’s blindside.
LG Elgton Jenkins vs. DE Leonard Williams
Now, at the age of 30, Williams is still one of the top center backs in the league. He leads the Seahawks with 7.0 sacks and ranks ninth among defensive linemen in pressures. A few weeks ago, Williams made a stunning play when he tackled Aaron Rodgers and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. After his impressive performances, Williams will have his hands full against the top guard. Jenkins is on track for another powerful season after allowing just one sack and 12 tackles in 434 pass-blocking snaps.
LEO TAKES HER HOME. pic.twitter.com/BzcOiWAM5g
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 1, 2024
Green Bay’s Corners vs. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Seattle may have a up-to-date No. 1 wide receiver, and he was the one many Packers fans were banging on the table about during last year’s draft. The first-round pick from Ohio State established himself as one of the top pass-catchers in the league, recording 75 receptions for 911 yards and five touchdowns. Eighty percent of Smith-Njigba’s snaps will come from the slot in 2024, and Green Bay’s starting quarterback, Javon Bullard, is struggling week-to-week with an ankle injury. Fortunately, reinforcements are on the way and Jaire Alexander is on track to return, but the All-Pro cornerback has only thrown 14 times this season. This might be the right week to move Keisean Nixon back to center and let Alexander and Carrington Valentine handle the rest. Regardless of how the Packers choose to defend Smith-Njigba on Sunday, limiting his impact could be crucial to the outcome.
