Two of the supposed NFC powers meet on Sunday in Seattle when the Seahawks host the Packers with both teams in desperate need of a win to stay relevant in the conference.
The Packers have lost three consecutive games for the first time since 2006, while Seattle is coming off a 44-6 butt-kicking by the Giants. The four-time defending NFC West champions, off to their worst start since opening the 2002 season 1-5, were outgained 523-187. The Seahawks’ lone win of the season came against the awful Rams. Yet they are 1-point favorites for Sunday’s game on WagerWeb.com.
Both starting QBs are banged up heading into this game, but it appears only one will sit out, and that’s Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck. He has a hyperextended right knee and didn’t practice this week. Coach Mike Holmgren says Hasselbeck is questionable and that he won’t decide until Sunday morning. But Holmgren added that he’s preparing to start No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye, who took almost all the snaps in practice this week because backup Seneca Wallace has a calf injury.
“The thing has just not responded,” Holmgren said of Hasselbeck’s knee. “He can’t do much with his leg. It’s not ligaments, it’s not anything like that. It’s just sore. He doesn’t have the green light to play. He could get it, but I have got to feel he’s not too vulnerable out there.”
Frye was 6-13 as a starter with the Browns. Seattle acquired him for a sixth-round draft pick one game into the 2007 season.
Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers hasn’t practiced all week, either. But despite his lingering shoulder troubles, he will start. The Packers listed Rodgers as probable on their injury report.
Rodgers was cleared to play last Sunday a few hours before the Packers’ home game against Atlanta and had one of his top performances this season. Rodgers completed 25 of 37 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in Green Bay’s 27-24 loss.
“I feel like I’m going to be able to be good for Sunday,” Rodgers said Friday. “I would’ve liked to do a little throwing, but I did as much as I could [in practice] with the run game and took the mental reps. I feel good about the game plan and my preparation.”
Besides Rodgers, other Packers starters injured but listed as probable are LT Chad Clifton (hamstring), FB Korey Hall (knee), CB Charles Woodson (toe) and LB A.J. Hawk (groin). Safety Aaron Rouse (knee) also is probable and likely will start in place of an injured Atari Bigby (hamstring), who is doubtful. DT Ryan Pickett (knee) is questionable but said Friday he would play.
Seattle, meanwhile, will be without starting WR Deion Branch.
Expect the Seahawks to run the ball a ton if Hasselbeck sits. Julius Jones leads a Seattle rushing attack that is averaging more than 140 rushing yards per game. Green Bay has allowed at least 175 rushing yards in three consecutive weeks.
The Packers, who were tied with Seattle for sixth in scoring defense last season (18.2 points per game), now rank 23rd in the league in that same category (25.6 ppg) and 26th in total defense (374.0 yards per game).Green Bay is allowing 25.6 points per game this season, compared to 18.2 last season.
The Seahawks returned all 11 defensive starters — including four Pro Bowlers — from last season’s unit, but rank 29th in scoring (31.0 ppg) and 27th in total defense (382.3 ypg).
The Packers lead the all-time series, 8-5, and won the last matchup 42-20, which came in the 2007 NFC title game.
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