On paper, this should be an easy game for the Seahawks, but you never know with the 2006 Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck is probably not 100% (he said so to ESPN's Ed Werder during his pregame workout). The Green Bay Packers are going to bring a lot of pressure to force Hasselbeck to slide around in the pocket laterally to test his knee. Mike Holmgren can combat that by putting three and four receivers on the field. Spreading out the defense will either dissuade the Packers from blitzing, or it will give Hasselbeck single coverage for Deion Branch or Darrell Jackson. Jackson could easily add to his current total of 5 touchdowns of 40+ yards.
Jerramy Stevens could also have a big game if the Seahawks spread things out. The Packers are prone to giving up plays in the middle of the field to tight ends and to backs in the flat. Holmgren must spell Shaun Alexander with Maurice Morris and get Morris the ball a few times through the air. Hasselbeck needs safety valves in case someone comes unblocked. Shaun Alexander should improve from last week, but he is not at 100% yet and Morris was running well before Alexander returned.
The Seahawks need to attack Brett Favre early to see if his arm is well. Favre will try to force things if he is pressured and he may or may not be able to get the job done. It might be a great chance for the secondary to get well and the corners to finally get some interceptions. The defense has been getting ripped up by running backs, but Ahman Green has only 83 yards on 37 carries over the past two games. That is only 2.2 yards per carry, but he averaged 5.6 yards per carry with three 100-yard games and 3 rushing touchdowns in the three games prior. Green is the type of running back the Seahawks defense can stop. Noah Herron and Vernand Morency could pose more problems for Seattle if they get in the game.
Greg Jennings has been slowed by an ankle injury, but he is capable of making the big play. He has not done much since being hobbled, but he should be closer to 100% now. The Seahawks might be forced to make Favre to Jennings beat them because Donald Driver is more of a threat. Driver had 6 catches for 191 yards against the Vikings two weeks ago, including an 82-yard touchdown. Ken Hamlin and Jordan Babineaux need to help out Marcus Trufant on Driver, especially on third down. The Seahawks have tried using safety blitzes on third downs this year leaving the corners on an island, which has often lead to big receptions for first downs by the oppossing team.
By the way, the Seahawks are about to close out this five game stretch at 3-2 and be 7-4, which is right where they need to be. Seneca Wallace looks like an adequate backup that could have been even more successful if Mike Holmgren remembered he wasn't Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace gained some valuable experience and would be wise to sign up to be the Seahawks backup for years to come. With his height and other limitations, he will never be an unquestioned starter in the NFL, but he has a great future in Seattle in a reserve role.
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