The Green Bay Packers got back on track with a 17-0 win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. However, the Packers’ injury issues continued.
In his return, Aaron Rodgers completed 23 passes on 37 attempts for 292 yards and one interception with no touchdowns. Running back A.J. Dillon had a nice game, racking up 124 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns. In addition, Davante Adams led receivers again with seven catches for 78 yards.
On defense, both Adrian Amos and Kevin King intercepted Russell Wilson, while Rashan Gary, Whitney Mercilus and Preston Smith each collected a sack.
For the Seahawks, Russell Wilson’s first game back from a fractured finger saw him completing 20 passes on 40 attempts for 161 yards and two interceptions. Alex Collins rushed for 41 yards on 10 attempts. Gerald Everett led all Seahawks receivers with eight catches for 63 yards.
For the defense, Jamal Adams picked off Rodgers and Jordyn Brooks had 12 total tackles. Rasheem Green had the only sack for the Seahawks.
After a slow start, the Packers got on the board first with a 27-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The field goal was the only scoring between the two teams until the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Dillon rushed for a three-yard touchdown to put the Packers up by 10. Late in the fourth quarter, Dillon scored again on a two-yard run putting a dagger in the game.
Packers Injury Problems Continue
The Packers’ injury problem continued Sunday, with running back Aaron Jones and Rashan Gary both leaving the game. Jones injury revealed to be a MCL sprain and will miss 1-to-2 weeks. Dillon will have to carry the load in Jones’ absence. Gary hyperextended his elbow, but he plans to brace it and play through the injury, pending an MRI on Tuesday. Mercilus also left the game will miss the rest of the season with a bicep injury. The Packers’ injury problems continue to pile up, but some good news is that David Bakhitiari has officially been activated off the PUP list and is practicing with the team. Bakhitiari’s return is expected within the next few weeks. Despite all the Packers’ injury issues, they have been able to boast a competitive team every week.
Great Defense
Both quarterbacks were coming off time away, and both struggled in the game. After a slow start, Rodgers was able to shake off some rust. However, for Wilson, the Packers defense had a field day. The Packers allowed just 161 passing yards and 75 rushing yards on 59 plays. The defense held the Seahawks to just 3.5 yards per play. Adding three sacks and two interceptions, it was not the return Wilson was hoping for.
The Seahawks defense did not fare as well. Yes, Adams did get an interception, tying him with defensive tackle Vince Wilfork with three career interceptions, but the defense as a whole gave up 393 total yards to the Packers high powered offense. The Packers averaged 5.6 yards per play on offense and held the ball for almost 40 minutes of the game. They put on a dominant display, making a statement after last week’s disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
This game marks the first time in Wilson’s career that he was shut out as a starter for the Seahawks. It’s also the first shutout for the Packers this season.
Kicking Woes
Crosby’s year to forget has continued, as he missed a 42-yard early in the first quarter. In Crosby’s last six games he has only made eight of 15 attempts. This season, Crosby has made 14 field goals on 21 attempts, with six of his seven misses coming in the last six games. However, extra points have not been an issue for Crosby, as he is 24 for 25 on extra points. As the Packers all-time leading scorer, there have been no indications that his job is in jeopardy.
Heated Rivalry
One could argue that the Packers-Seahawks rivalry really started nine years ago in a game dubbed the “Fail Mary,” game. Replacement refs called a jump ball, deemed a Packers interception by most, as a Seahawks touchdown, leading to the NFL refs ending a lockout and coming back. Another game was the 2015 NFC Championship, where the Seahawks had an improbable comeback victory. Over the past nine years the Packers and Seahawks have traded blows with the Seahawks winning four games to the Packers’ five.
This rivalry came to the forefront Sunday when DK Metcalf got frustrated and grabbed the face masks of both Henry Black and Eric Stokes. The refs penalized and ejected Metcalf from the game. However, Metcalf tried to re-enter the game, then an official approached him and told him to leave the game, much to Metcalf’s confusion. Metcalf explained himself and his frustration as “tired of losing.” Ultimately the Packers came out on top leading the series 5-4 in the last nine years and 15-9 all-time.
High Emotions
Rodgers felt the love during his first game back after a COVID-19 positive test forced him to miss a game.
“The most emotions from the whole night was probably walking off the field after the game.” Rodgers said, “It definitely got me a little misty.”
Rodgers went on to explain his thoughts on the criticism he has been facing.
“I don’t define myself by the criticism, but I understand it’s a part of this because this issue is definitely polarizing.”
Dillon spoke of Jones’ injury and how he reacted when Jones went out.
“That’s like my big brother on this team, I love him to death, so for him to believe in me, that trust, was great.” Dillon said. “Like I said, I wanted to finish it off for him and the team, and we got it done as a team.”
The Packers moved to 8-2, and with losses by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, the Packers are first place in the NFC. The Packers will have a chance to improve on their impressive season next week against the Minnesota Vikings (3-5).