Welcome to the Vendetta official 2020 NFL Divisional round playoff preview. The final matchup of this round in an NFC battle between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. The 11-5 Seahawks will travel to Lambeau to take on the 13-3 Packers. These two teams are very familar with each other. Since 2014 these teams have played each other 6 times and have split the series. Let’s call this the Game 7 showdown to decide the better modern franchise. Let’s get right to it. Here’s 3 reasons why each team can win and advance to the NFC Title Game.
2020 NFL Divisional Round Preview: Seattle At Green Bay
Sunday, January 12th, 2020 – 6:40 ET FOX
Point spread: Packers -5
Why The Seahawks Will Win
1: Russell Wilson Is Better Than Aaron Rodgers
Yes, I’ll say it again. Russell Wilson is better than Aaron Rodgers. Right now it’s 100 percent true. Aaron Rodgers threw 26 touchdowns on the entire season. That’s insane nor does it sound like Aaron Rodgers. Let’s no pretend like Rodgers was dominant this year. Russell Wilson is arguably the best quarterback in the league. Point to any category you want, Wilson was better than Rodgers. At this point, you have to give the quarterback edge to Seattle.
2: Matt LaFleur Is Unproven
The Packers are better without Mike McCarthy but we still don’t know if Matt LeFleur knows what he’s doing. Green Bay averaged 23.5 points per game in 2019. In 2018, they averaged 23.5 points per game. The Packers are better this year mainly because the defense is much better. The offense hasn’t been better this year and actually might be worse than a year ago. Matt LaFleur goes toe to toe against Pete Carroll who has been around forever. Seattle has the QB and coaching advantage here which is normally enough to win in the playoffs.
3: Seahawks Have A Nasty Edge
Maybe this isn’t a big deal but doesn’t Seattle feel intimidating? Jadeveon Clowney took a cheat shot on Carson Wentz, knocked him out of the game, and Seattle won without ever sweating it out. Marshawn Lynch always is a feared player who is tough to tackle. DK Metcalf? Dear, lord. Green Bay doesn’t feel like a tough team to me. Maybe I’m overreacting here but Seattle feels nastier. I think it matters.
Why The Packers Will Win
1: The Smith Tandem Will Control The Game
Seattle has an average offensive line at best. Good luck trying to contain the Smith boys. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith can wreck the game. Z Smith leads the NFL in total pressures and recorded 13.5 sacks on the season. Preston Smith isn’t too far behind with 12 sacks. We know that Russell Wilson will scramble and make plays but these two guys will make life more difficult than it normally is. There’s a chance these two edge rushers ruin Seattle by themselves.
2: Aaron Jones Is Different
When Aaron Rodgers has support, he wins. Aaron Jones is a different cat. This isn’t Ahman Green, Ryan Grant, Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Najee Davenport, or Samkon Gado. This is Aaron Jones who is a superstar. Rodgers can lean on Jones to take over the game. Jones averaged 4.6 yards per carry which was one of the best marks in the league. He also rushed for a league high 16 touchdowns. Jones is just an explosive cat. Green Bay has never had an element like this before.
3: Davante Adams Cannot Be Stopped
What is Seattle going to do about Davante Adams? Seriously, I want to know? This isn’t the Seahawks of old where Richard Sherman took him out of the game. They don’t have that guy now. Adams is healthy and finished the season on fire. The last 3 weeks of the year, Adams reeled in 27 catches for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns. Good luck, Seattle.
I have no idea how this game will go. It feels like such a coinflip. I could easily see this game going to overtime and something weird happens to give somebody a win. I honestly have no idea where to go. My head is telling me to take the Packers, my gut tells me Seattle wins this game. I don’t have a clue. All I know is I can’t wait for it.
