Predictions from national experts for Seahawks-Packers divisional playoff game
Oh, the tundra will be frozen on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Snow is in the forecast for the Seahawks-Packers NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, so that means it will be cold.
Fifty-two experts from around the nation made predictions for the contest. Here are the picks and what they’re saying about the game, which kicks off at 5:40 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox (Ch. 4):
A 23-20 Packers victory is the prediction from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. Here is an excerpt of what he wrote: “Even in a playoff game where the Pack have a disadvantage at quarterback for the first time in the Aaron Rodgers era, it’s hard to find the matchups that don’t favor Green Bay. Za’Darius Smith, Kenny Clark and Preston Smith should be trouble for Seattle’s line. I’ll take Packers DC Mike Pettine calling plays against Seahawks OC Brian Schottenheimer. Perhaps the Seahawks’ linebackers can limit Aaron Jones’ effectiveness, but the overall winning recipe feels familiar for Seattle. The ‘Hawks need Russell Wilson to be the best player on the field Sunday — and not by a little bit. That’s asking for too much.”
The Packers will prevail 23-17 writes Tadd Haislop of the Sporting News. This is a snippet of what he wrote: “As much as we want to make this game about the superstar quarterbacks — and Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers certainly will be fun to watch — the biggest factor is the injury bug, which is biting the Seahawks much harder than the Packers. While the Marshawn Lynch story is amusing, it’s also a reminder that Seattle is attempting to deploy its power rushing attack without its best power rushers in Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise.”
Five of the seven experts from USA Today picked the Packers: Nate Davis (27-24 final score), Jori Epstein (20-17), Mike Jones (29-27), Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz (23-16) and Tom Schad (28-27). PIcking Seattle: Jarrett Bell (26-23) and Lorenzo Reyes (24-21).
Five of the eight CBS Sports experts see Seattle winning: Will Brinson, Dave Richard, Ryan Wilson, Jason La Canfora and Jared Dubin. Pete Prisco, John Breech and Jamey Eisenberg went with the Packers. Prisco believes a Green Bay wins 24-17. He wrote in part: “These two have played some fun games in the past, and this should be no different. The Seahawks aren’t the same team as in year’s past, one that featured a dominant defense. That’s why I think the Packers will be able to have success on offense.”
Nate Burleson of “Good Morning Football” believes Seattle gets the win at Lambeau:
Five of the eight SB Nation writers are picking the Packers: Christian D’Andrea, Sarah Hardy, Geoff Schwartz, Stephen White and James Brady. The picks for the Seahawks came from Adam Stites, Morgan Moriarity and Eric Thompson.
Six of the eight Pro Football Focus experts picked the Packers: Neil Hornsby, Jeff Ratcliffe, Solomon Wilcots, Sam Monson, Nathan Jahnke and Steve Palazzolo. Picking Seattle: Austin Gayle and Bruce Gradkowski.
The Packers were the pick for both Mike Florio and Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Smith predicted a 20-17 score. This is part of what he wrote: “The Seahawks ... have a weak run defense that will allow Aaron Jones to have a big game, and the Packers will win this one and head to the NFC Championship Game.” Florio sees a 24-21 score.
Four of the six Sports Illustrated Monday Morning Quarterback writers picked the Seahawks: Bette Marston, Mitch Goldich, Connor Orr and Jenny Vrentas. The picks for the Packers: Kayln Kahler and Andrew Brandt
Five of nine experts at ESPN believe Seattle will win: Dan Graziano, Mina Kimes, Jason Reid, Seth Wickersham and Kevin Seifert. Green Bay is the choice for Mike Golic, Trey Wingo, Matt Bowen and Mike Clay.
Maurice Jones-Drew picked the Seahawks while on the NFL Network:
This story was originally published January 12, 2020 at 9:07 AM with the headline "Predictions from national experts for Seahawks-Packers divisional playoff game."
