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Green Bay at Seattle
Sunday, Jan. 18, 3:05 p.m. ET (Fox)
Why to watch: The legend of Russell Wilson just continues to grow. He has been a beast in the postseason and is a win away from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in just his third year in the league. Another win here, against Aaron Rodgers of all people, would obviously only further advance his reputation. There are some non-believers out there, still -- the lunatic fringe will cling to whatever it can I suppose -- but this kid is The Truth, and he's still scratching the surface of what he might be. His ability to make a huge play, with his arm or legs, when needed most, coupled with an innate ability to not make a crushing mistake, is not nearly as easy as Wilson makes it look. I suppose that works against him in the eyes of some. Rodgers, of course, is building a legacy of his own and his Willis Reed effort last week only expanded his profile and legend. Doing what he is doing on more or less one leg, with that calf obviously still bothering him, is pretty special and even at less than 100 percent this is a classic matchup of a robust and diverse offense against the best defense in football. Styles make sights, so they say, and this contrast should be a delight for the eyeballs. Throw in the raucous atmosphere in Seattle, with the best home-field advantage in the game, and the backdrop is all you could ask for. The top two seeds, in a rematch of the game that opened the entire 2014 NFL season, playing with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
What to watch for: Rodgers' calf will be under a microscope. The Packers claim he is feeling a bit better this week, but against a defense this ferocious you wonder how long that lasts. Is he still hopping and limping after making big plays? Is he able to do more moving the pocket than a week ago? Will the game plan be limited at all by his injury? No doubt the Seahawks will try to make him pay early, and setting a physical tone on the first drive is always a big part of what they do on defense. ... No way Rodgers avoids Richard Sherman's side of the field the way he did in Week 1. Can't happen. Won't happen. Instead I bet Jordy Nelson lines up on Sherman and Rodgers take an early shot to signal his intent. ... I get the sense the Seahawks are going to be able to run the ball on this Green Bay defense. Improved as the run defense was after shifting Clay Matthews inside, the three-headed approach Seattle brings to the ground game -- Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin -- is going to be a lot for the Packers to handle, especially in the second half as they begin to feel it in their legs. ... Kam Chancellor has actually been the Seahawks' best safety this season -- taking nothing away from Earl Thomas -- and he loves the big stage. He'll make some huge plays in this game on defense and special teams. You gotta love the kick blocking thing he has going on. ... I have a feeling Jermaine Kearse has a big game for the Seahawks. They've been very high on him for a long time and he has been flashing more recently and Wilson trusts him to go up and make a play. ... I would expect Davante Adams to be a critical factor again for the Packers this week. Getting him matched up on the nickel corner and spreading out the Seahawks will be imperative, and Sherman and Byron Maxwell won't be easy for Randall Cobb and Nelson to deal with. ... I like Bruce Irvin to get two sacks in this game. He will be a difference maker. ... Can Eddie Lacy run through and over this defense like he has so many others? I can't put it past him.
