Russell Wilson and the Seahawks begin their title defense against the Packers. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
Green Bay Packers (0-0) at Seattle Seahawks (0-0)
Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at CenturyLink Field, Seattle – TV: NBC
*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
*Keys to the game: In the two preseason games in which the Seahawks’ first-team offense saw significant action, QB Russell Wilson was extremely sharp — he led the NFL in passer rating in August — and the unit displayed more wrinkles and play-making options. The belief in Seattle is a healthy Percy Harvin will add a dynamic element that makes the offense far more potent. The one vulnerability remains the offensive line and the Packers can slow the Hawks’ roll if they can win in the trenches, keep RB Marshawn Lynch to minimal games and hem Wilson in the pocket on third-and-long.
Despite the emergence of RB Eddie Lacy, the Packers remain an up-tempo offense that plans to go almost exclusively no-huddle. It will be interesting to see how that plays out with the infamous noise at CenturyLink Field, where offensive linemen often struggle to hear the quarterback’s cadence. QB Aaron Rodgers was precise and efficient during his limited preseason action, but he was also sacked eight times in his last visit to Seattle. Expect controlled possessions out of the no-huddle and plenty of Lacy on the ground and in the underneath passing game.
*Matchup to watch – Packers OLB Clay Matthews vs. Seahawks RT Justin Britt: While coordinator Dom Capers will move them around, Matthews is expected to see the bulk of the action against the rookie, with Julius Peppers working against LT Russell Okung. Matthews and Peppers have combined for 178 sacks in 268 career games.
*Player spotlight – Packers C Corey Linsley: Rodgers has never taken a game snap from Linsley, who was thrust into the starting job when JC Tretter suffered a knee injury Aug. 22. Linsley’s first test comes in a very difficult environment, where one botched snap could send the train off the tracks.
*Fast facts: Rodgers is the only quarterback in NFL history to post five consecutive seasons with a 100-plus passer rating. … Wilson is the first quarterback in NFL history to post a 100-plus rating in each of his first two seasons.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Seahawks are 9-1 at home in primetime games under coach Pete Carroll, with seven of those wins coming by double-digits. Seattle fans are convinced that’s why this is the lone home primetime game the reigning champs received from the NFL, and they’ll help the league’s No. 1 defense make life difficult on Rodgers working behind a greenhorn center.
*Our pick: Seahawks 27-23
