So they meet again. A little over 20 weeks after kicking off the NFL season back in Week 1, the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers are the last two teams standing in the National Football Conference.
The Seahawks, who are now riding a seven-game winning streak after handily disposing of the Carolina Panthers, will have home field – and the 12th man – advantage behind them in the conference championship game as they look to make it back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl. But not even an injury to Aaron Rodgers has slowed the Packers down in their march to another Super Bowl appearance.
Which team will book its ticket to Glendale? Read on below for our preview of the NFC title game. And to see who their opponents from the AFC will be, check out our preview of the Colts vs. Patriots.
[sc:Football ]Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks Betting Preview
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Sunday, January 18, 3:00 PM ET
Line: Green Bay Packers (+7.5) at Seattle Seahawks (-7.5); total 49.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Green Bay Packers
As it turns out, Aaron Rodgers is still better on one leg than most other quarterbacks are on two. Despite playing on that injured calf, Rodgers threw for 316 yards with three touchdowns to lead the Packers to a 26-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Even with the bye week, Rodgers was still visibly hampered by his bad calf and was unable to take off and scramble like he normally can. But he had just enough mobility to elude the Cowboy rush, much like he did when he posted a 139.6 passer rating against the Lions’ vaunted defense on one leg in Week 17.
Rodgers will need to pull off a similar performance against the Seahawks’ top-ranked defense. He must also do so on the road, where he and the Packers have been decidedly less impressive this year than at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers’ touchdown-to-interception ratio was just 13:5 outside of Lambeau, while his road passer rating was 94.2, almost 40 points lower than at home. Furthermore, the Packers went just 4-4 on the road in the regular season (3-5 against the spread) which includes their 36-16 Week 1 loss at Seattle.
With Rodgers less than 100 percent, the Packers need Eddie Lacy and the running game to keep churning out the yards like they have for the last month and a half. Lacy had 101 yards on just 19 carries against the Cowboys (and that was with a bout of asthma), the sixth time in seven games he’s rushed for 97 or more yards.
This Lacy looks like a different back from the one that managed just 34 yards on 12 carries against Seattle’s tough defense in Week 1. On Week 17, Lacy became the only player to rush for 100 yards this season against the Lions’ top-ranked run defense. The Packers should also be encouraged after seeing the Panthers rush for 132 yards over the Seahawks.
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks
Kam Chancellor and The Legion of Boom are ready for Aaron Rodgers. Richard Sherman recorded a key interception on Cam Newton while Chancellor had another, which he ran 90 yards for the touchdown as the Seattle Seahawks routed the Carolina Panthers, 31-17.
It was another dominating effort from Seattle’s top-ranked defense, which led the league in both scoring defense (15.9 points allowed) and total defense (267.1 yards allowed) in the regular season.
Although it gave up 17 points and 362 total yards of offense (both are the most it’s given up since Week 11), seven points and 83 yards came during garbage time. Seattle also created three takeaways, which now put its turnover margin to plus-eight during its seven-game winning streak.
In a game that could come down to a single possession, turnovers will be vital against Green Bay. The Seahawks were one of just three teams to pick off Rodgers during the regular season, and are liable to pounce on any mistake the Packers quarterback makes again.
Rodgers committed Green Bay’s lone turnover against Dallas after his lack of mobility led to a sack-fumble. The Seahawks caused three fumbles against Carolina, and will be eager to put pressure on a hobbled Rodgers. Pass rushers Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin each had a sack and two quarterback hits on Newton.
The Seahawks didn’t have the greatest game on the ground, with their 100 rushing yards their lowest output since Week 6. Quarterback Russell Wilson supplied more than enough offense with 268 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Wilson will be without deep threat receiver Paul Richardson, who tore his ACL against Carolina, but they should have more success running against a Packer defense that has still had its problems stopping the run. Seattle gashed Green Bay for 207 yards and two touchdowns in their Week 1 meeting.
And of course, everyone knows by now how dominant the Seahawks are at home. They’re 18-2 in their last 20 home games (12-7-1 against the spread) and have won their last eight playoff games.
Writer’s Prediction
Seattle’s defense subdues Rodgers as the Seahawks (-7.5) win and cover against Green Bay. Create a betting account now to cash in on the final few games of the NFL season.
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