The 2014 NFL season began in Seattle as the Green Bay Packers were routed in the season opener with the Seahawks dominating in all facets of the game and finishing with a 36-16 victory.  The conference championship and the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIV is on the line this Sunday afternoon in the Emerald City.  Both teams come into the game with impressive streaks.  The Seahawks have won seven in a row while the Packers have won twelve of their last fourteen.  

The teams have met twice since Russell Wilson joined the NFL with the Seahawks coming away with victories in both games.  The first victory in Seattle was the infamous “Fail Mary” in which the replacement referees sealed their fate in terms of employment.  The two teams haven’t met in the playoffs since the 2007 season when the Packers blew out the Seahawks 42-20.  Prior to that, the Packers also defeated the Seahawks at home after the 2003 regular season.  Some fans may remember the infamous words, “We want the ball and we’re going to score” from then Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck.  Hasselbeck, of course, went on to throw a game-ending interception to Al Harris.  

As Mark McGwire would say, “I’m not here to talk about the past”.  Let’s take a look at what to expect when each team has the ball on Sunday.  

When the Seahawks are on offense

As Marshawn Lynch goes, so go the Seattle Seahawks, and Pete Carroll and crew hope to ride Beast Mode back to the Super Bowl.  Look for the Seahawks to pound the ball and wear down the Packers' front seven in the second half.  With the ability to substitute in more than capable backups (Robert Turbin and Christine Michael), the Seahawks should be able run the ball against the Packers, who gave up just under 120 rushing yards per game this season.  

The Seahawks offensive line is the million-dollar question on this side of the ball.  Center Max Unger should be ready to go, and the rest of the projected starting offensive line should also be healthy.  They will need to give Russell Wilson some time to play action pass and give a few seconds for Seattle’s depleted WR corp to get open.  Will Seattle’s line protect Wilson from Clay Matthews and the rejuvenated Julius Peppers?

Advantage: Seahawks

When the Packers are on offense

The multi-million dollar question for Sunday’s game is what will the Packers get from the likely NFL MVP, QB Aaron Rodgers.  Will Rodgers’ calf be able to hold up, will he be able to get away from the Seahawks’ pass rush, etc.?  Rodgers reportedly has an injury that takes months to heal, and it showed last weekend in the Divisional round against the Cowboys.  That said, Rodgers seemed to loosen up as the game went along and made enough plays to help pull out the victory in Lambeau Field.

Therein lies a major issue.  By securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Seahawks assured themselves that teams would come in having to battle Seattle’s 12th Man and a defense that is on a historic tear right now.  The Seahawks led the NFL by giving up a league-low 186 yards per game in the air (with the next closest team - Kansas City - allowing 203 yards per game).  

The Seahawks were third in the league in rushing yards allowed as well.  That will be another major question mark for the the Packers as they will need Eddie Lacy to have a productive day running the ball in order to help protect Rodgers andalso keep the Seahawks' offense off of the field.  

Advantage: Seahawks

Special Teams

The Packers and Seahawks both have below-average Special Teams in totality, but the Seahawks do have an advantage in the kicking game with both P Jon Ryan and PK Steven Hauschka playing at a Pro Bowl level.  Packers PK Mason Crosby was 27 for 33 on field-goal attempts in the regular season, and he is going to have to be perfect on Sunday.  The Packers can’t afford to leave any points off the board.  

Advantage: Seahawks … slightly

Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, Packers 16

Seattle goes with a ‘bend but don’t break’ defense for much of the game and holds the Packers to three field goals and one touchdown.  The Seahawks' offense wears the Packers’ defense down late in the third quarter and into the fourth to pull away and return to the Super Bowl in a quest to become the first team to win back to back championships since the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.