The Positive, Negative, and Unpleasant Aspects of the Packers' Victory against the Seahawks
The Positive, Negative, and Unpleasant Aspects of the Packers' Victory against the Seahawks
The Green Bay Packers find themselves two games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North with only three games left in the season. They were also half a game behind the Minnesota Vikings heading into their Monday night game against Chicago. Unless they experience one of the NFL's most significant collapses in recent memory, the Packers are destined to be a wildcard team in the postseason, which means they'll likely have to play all their playoff matches away from home.
The Packers displayed they might be on their way to becoming road warriors with their performance against the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday night. In one of the NFL's most challenging environments, the Packers gave a great defensive showing, solid first-half performance from the offense and secured a 30-13 victory over the Seahawks.
The Packers improved to 10-4 with the win, maintained their sixth position in the NFC, and dealt a blow to the Seahawks' NFC West title hopes, as they fell to 8-6 and slipped into second place in the division.
“I think it means a lot,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said about the team’s performance. “(Expletive), we just played a good opponent on the road in a hard atmosphere to play in. We came out here and looked pretty damn good.”
THE GOOD
DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE: This may have been one of Green Bay's best defensive performances of the year.
The Packers recorded seven sacks by six different players. Kingsley Enagbare and Edgerrin Cooper both had two sacks while Rashan Gary, Brenton Cox, Devonte Wyatt, and Karl Brooks also contributed to the sack total.
Seattle quarterbacks Geno Smith and Sam Howell were held to a combined passer rating of 49.5. The Seahawks managed just 208 yards of offense, converted four of their 13 third-down chances, and averaged a dismal 3.7 yards per play.
“We came here to just handle business,” Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark said. “We had full confidence we were going to come in and win the game. We’ve just got to keep on building each and every week.”
JORDAN LOVE: Green Bay's second-year starter has excelled in the five games since the bye week.
Love completed 20-of-27 passes against the Seahawks for 229 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Love's passer rating was an impressive 123.9, making it the fifth straight game where he's had a rating above 100.0.
Since the Packers returned from the bye on Nov. 17, Love's passer ratings were 113.0, 107.7, 129.2, and 111.7 before Sunday. Love has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception in his last five games.
“When he's feeling good and he can move around and he's feeling confident pushing the ball down the field, it's pretty impressive,” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said.
EDGERRIN COOPER: The Packers rookie linebacker missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. However, he displayed no signs of injury, finishing with a team-high seven tackles, an interception, a sack, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss.
“It feels real good,” Cooper said. “I was very hungry to get back out there and do what I did and ... I'm thankful for my teammates and everybody around for doing their job.”
Cooper made an impressive impact in the game when he sacked Seattle’s Geno Smith for a 9-yard loss on a third-down play. The Packers rushed four on the play, overwhelmed the left side of the Seahawks' line, and Cooper took advantage of a nifty right-to-left move to make the sack.
Midway through the third quarter, Cooper disrupted a Geno Smith pass attempt, forcing the quarterback to abandon the play. Smith left the game with a knee injury, didn't return, and when Seattle turned to backup Sam Howell, their comeback chances were all but gone.
Cooper also played a crucial role in the Packers' victory when he intercepted a Howell pass with just over five minutes left, effectively ending Seattle's comeback hopes.
The Seahawks trailed 23-13 at the time when Cooper dropped back into his zone and read Howell’s eyes. Howell attempted to force a pass to tight end Noah Fant, but Cooper anticipated the throw and intercepted it, returning it 22 yards to Seattle’s 27-yard line.
“He’s just a hell of a player,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Cooper. “And I think (defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley) does a great job of putting him in positions to have success and ... it’s been fun to watch and witness his growth.”
“Coop’s a hell of an athlete, man. He’s a really good football player. I think he’s just scratching the surface of what he could become in this league.”
Cooper, who ran the 40-yard dash in a remarkable 4.51 seconds during last year's NFL Combine, showcased his potential to national audiences.
“He's special, man,” Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare said of Cooper. “Definitely I feel like he’s a future Hall of Famer. From the stat line, you can see he can do everything — make tackles, make interceptions, get sacks. There’s literally nothing he’s physically not able to do. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s gonna be a hell of a player one day — or continue to be a hell of a player.”
"Feels great being back," Doubs declared. "Injuries are part of the game in this league. I'm just grateful. No need to delve into the specifics of my injury. I'm just thankful."
In Green Bay's second drive, Doubs secured an inside slant at the Seattle 5-yard line, then overpowered Riq Woolen and Julian Love, carrying them into the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown. This was a powerful display of strength from the 6-foot-2, 204-pound Doubs.
"That was incredible," Love exclaimed. "Haven't seen Rome do something like that before, running over players and carrying them, shouldering the team's load. But it just goes to show how much he loves it and is willing to fight for those extra yards and pursue that touchdown."
With Green Bay leading 23-13 and only 5 minutes remaining, facing a third-and-5 from the Seahawks’ 22-yard line, Love threw a ball to Doubs in the back of the endzone. Doubs made an outstanding catch, grabbing the ball inches off the turf, planting his elbow, and rolling out of bounds.
This marked the third time in his career that Doubs had multiple touchdowns in a single game.
"A game-changer for us," praised Watson of Doubs. "Having him back is a massive advantage. Another weapon in our arsenal."
TOE-TO-TOE: In the early stages, it was Jacobs' show as the Packers traveled 63 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead on their opening drive.
Jacobs handled the ball on nine of Green Bay's first 10 plays, rushing seven times for 27 yards and catching two passes for 17 yards. Jacobs ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, receiving a superb block from Zach Tom.
"Setting the pace," Jacobs noted. "Feels good today, but I can't deny I was exhausted. Play after play, I looked around and wondered how long we'd had the ball. I'm the type of player who doesn't mind being exhausted as long as it's an impactful play. So, I gave it my all."
Green Bay went 2-for-2 on third down conversions in the drive.
"Great line play," LaFleur commented. "We were gaining steady yards up front. So, we stuck with the run game and let Jacobs set the pace."
MY LOVE: Second-year cornerback Carrington Valentine delivered impressive plays late in the second quarter.
First, at Green Bay's 12-yard line, Valentine broke up a short pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Then, Valentine read a pass meant for tight end Noah Fant and intercepted Geno Smith's pass in the left corner of the endzone.
This was the first interception in 31 career games for Valentine.
"Means a lot," Valentine said. "Testament to the hard work we've all put in. It's not just about me. That's a team effort."
Valentine finished with two pass deflections and three tackles.
"Played an outstanding game," Packers safety Xavier McKinney said of Valentine. "We have some talented players on this defense from top to bottom. I'm never surprised when our guys play like they did today. He prepares well, remains focused, and has a great skill set. I thought he turned in a fantastic performance today."
KING OF THE JUNGLE: Kingsley Enagbare put on a show to close the third quarter.
First, Enagbare sacked Sam Howell for a 5-yard loss on first down. Then, he tackled Howell after a 2-yard run on second down. And, on third down, Enagbare beat his man again, sacking Howell for a 3-yard loss.
"Just everyone playing as a team and opportunities arising," Enagbare said. "Give credit to the guys I was rushing with."
Enagbare had 2.0 sacks in Green Bay's first 13 games, and doubled that total with three sacks in just three plays.
OTHER STUFF: Third-year defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt delivered one of the most impressive plays of his career when he tackled Smith for a 9-yard loss early in the third quarter. Wyatt used a spin move to get past his man, had a free path to the quarterback, and then showed impressive speed making the tackle. ... Rashan Gary recorded a sack to halt Seattle's second drive and force a field goal. Karl Brooks put pressure on Smith, forcing him to step up in the pocket, and Gary was waiting to take him down. ... Green Bay's kicker Brandon McManus made all three of his field goal attempts, improving his record to 14-for-15 since joining Green Bay on October 16.
THE UGLY
COSTLY MISTAKE: Jacobs had gone five games without fumbling, but he lost the ball to linebacker Ernest Jones IV in the fourth quarter, which Seattle recovered.
The Seahawks scored a 24-yard touchdown run by Zach Charbonnet to narrow the gap to 23-13.
TESTING HIS LUCK: Matt LaFleur has raised his red flag and contested six plays this year. Regrettably, he's failed to overturn any of them.
LaFleur contested a fourth quarter Sam Howell incomplete pass, convinced that Kenny Clark had forced a fumble on the play. However, the television replays swiftly confirmed it was just an incomplete pass, leaving LaFleur to lose yet another challenge.
Following a defeat in a challenge against Detroit last week, LaFleur's record dropped to 0-5, and he frankly admitted, "Yeah, not so great."
Now, matters have worsened for him.
ABSENT LINEBACKER: Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has missed the last four games due to a knee injury. In three of the last four years, Alexander has only managed to feature in seven games, and he's now missed 31 of Green Bay's past 65 matches.
On Sunday, Green Bay seemed to manage without Alexander, thanks to a powerful pass rush that yielded seven sacks and an impressive defensive performance in the back end. However, the fact that Packers' second-highest paid player is rarely available these days should be a major cause for concern.
OTHER NOTES: Linebacker Quay Walker was forced to leave after suffering an ankle injury towards the end of the second quarter and didn't return. ... Seattle defensive tackle Leonard Williams managed to bring down Joshua Jacobs for a loss of 3 yards on a third-and-1, stifling Green Bay's second half opening drive. ... Green Bay's poor positioning in their own territory necessitated a long punt from Daniel Whelan early in the third quarter. Instead, Whelan produced a weak punt that traveled just 33 yards, enabling Seattle to start their drive from Green Bay's 46-yard line.
THE UNPLEASANT
TIME MANAGEMENT: Green Bay drove towards a field goal at the end of the first half, but Matt LaFleur's poor time management prevented them from attempting a touchdown.
Joshua Jacobs had a run of eight yards to Seattle's 45-yard line with 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the first half, yet the Packers didn't snap the ball until just 54 seconds remained. Love then delivered a short pass to Jayden Reed, who was tackled at Seattle's 42-yard line with 47 seconds left.
Green Bay — who still had two timeouts — remained idle and didn't make another play until there were just 16 seconds left in the half.
Love completed a short pass to Romeo Doubs with 10 seconds left, and Doubs drew a pass interference penalty at the 3-yard line with just 4 seconds remaining.
LaFleur chose against running another play and opted for a Brandon McManus field goal instead. Had Green Bay showed more determination or utilized a timeout, they would have had ample time to attempt scoring a touchdown in the last few seconds.
“I mishandled the end of the half,” LaFleur conceded. “That was totally on me. Being excessively hesitant, shifting the blame to Jordan, making a call at the line of scrimmage that was overly time-consuming. That error cannot be repeated and could have had serious consequences if the game had been closer.”
- The Packers' defensive success against the Seahawks was not just limited to Edgerrin Cooper, as Rashan Gary, Brenton Cox, Devonte Wyatt, and Karl Brooks also contributed to Green Bay's impressive seven-sack performance.
- After being sidelined with a hamstring injury for three games, Edgerrin Cooper returned in style against Seattle, recording a team-high seven tackles, an interception, a sack, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss.
- Matt LaFleur spoke highly of Cooper's potential, mentioning that Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley does a great job of putting him in positions to have success and that Cooper is just scratching the surface of what he could become in the NFL.