Green Bay, although typically above average offensively are likely to struggle both on the ground and through the air, because of Seattle’s excellent defense. Expect Rodgers to work mainly out of shotgun and pistol formations, like he did in the Cowboys game.According to ESPN Stats & Information Research, Rodgers ran every play out of the shotgun or pistol except for the Packers’ three kneel downs.I think Seattle is better than they were last year at this point and Green Bay is ripe for the picking. Seattle will stuff the run and scheme to move Rodgers to expose his lack of mobility. Lynch sees plenty of success on the ground and Wilson hits the few key throws that turn into daggers for Green Bay’s chances. Green Bay actually lost to Seattle, Detroit, New Orleans and Buffalo this season. They only beat Miami and Minnesota by 3 points on the road, 27 to 24 versus Miami and 24 to 21 versus Minnesota. Green Bay just isn’t the same team at home that they are on the road. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but he clearly was limited by the injury. Seattle has home field advantage in this one and no matter what Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy says; Rodgers should not be at 100% by this Sunday. Although the betting line is above a touchdown and extra point, Seattle is the my pick to cover the spread in the NFC Championship Game. Over the previous six NFL seasons, the home team has won 69% of games that match the current efficiency profiles of Green Bay and Seattle going into a game, the equivalent of a handicap start of 6 points for Green Bay. My prediction odds currently give the Seahawks a 75.36% chance of winning on the money line, and they are -7.5 on the spread. It is a big number but Seattle gets out of this game with a 30-20 win or something like that.
Back Room Benny The Jew Rosenthal [Brooklyn Heights N.Y.]
Back Room Benny The Jew Rosenthal [Brooklyn Heights N.Y.]
