Everybody likes seeing their team get some sweet revenge. After some difficult losses to the Seattle Seahawks, the Green Bay Packers have finally avenged several of their losses from the past few years as they know they lost to the Seahawks in the Fail Mary game, the 2014 regular season opener, and the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Those memories may not quickly fade away from Packer fanatics. But they are at least further back in their minds as the Packers moved to 2-0 with a 27-17 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
Things started quickly as the Packers moved down the field on their opening drive. Aaron Rodgers was on fire to start the game and on a second and fifteen from the 29 yard line, he drew Michael Bennett offside and then took a chance to throw it in the area of Richard Sherman on a post route. But instead of Sherman making a play on the ball, it was a touchdown for the prodigal child of the Packers, James Jones.
After seeing both Mason Crosby and Steven Hauschka kick 54 yard field goals, the Packers still maintained a 10-3 lead. The Packers finally started to move the ball again a few drives later but that quickly came to an end when James Starks fumbled it near the left sideline. It ended up being harmless as the Seahawks would punt it away again.
But the Packers had the ball with just a few minutes left in the half. Randall Cobb caught the ball and was tackled where he was just shy of the end zone. They tried to get it to James Jones and to Richard Rodgers, but there was no touchdown to be scored this time down. Crosby made the short 18 yard field goal to put them up 13-3.
The Seahawks got a great start to the second half though, as they made the most of their halftime adjustments. After it was down in the red zone, Mike Neal had a critical third down penalty when he jumped offside, and the Seahawks converted one play later when Fred Jackson caught a five yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson. The Seattle defense forced a three and out and then it would only take five offensive plays and Doug Baldwin caught another Wilson pass for a touchdown. This gave Seattle their first lead of the game at 17-13.
James Starks gave the Packers offense a spark on their next drive as he shook the defenders on a 35 yard rush. It led to another Crosby field goal and they were only trailing by one.
The Packers would force a punt and had an interesting lineup for their next drive. They went with Richard Rodgers and four receivers, often with Rodgers in the backfield or Cobb, or Ty Montgomery. This made for some positive match-ups for the Packers as the linebackers struggled to cover the shifty receivers and the big tight ends out of the backfield. The drive ended as Rodgers found Rodgers for a five yard touchdown and then found him again for the two point conversion to give the Packers a 24-17 lead.
Russell Wilson threw his only interception of the game on the next drive, as he was trying to throw a screen pass that got snagged by Jayrone Elliott. Elliott actually fumbled the ball as well, but it was ruled that he recovered the ball and it was Packers possession. James Starks had a quick eight yard rush on the next play, but K.J. Wright drew attention as he was pushing Richard Rodgers' helmet nearly off of his head and pushed him to the ground and still had his hand in his opponent's facemask. T.J. Lang and Michael Bennett quickly joined the scrum and were both called for offsetting personal fouls, but Wright was ejected from the game, which felt like an incredibly reasonable call, because that was extremely unsportsmanlike.
The Packers than ran the clock down under two minutes to play and set Crosby up again for a chip shot for his fourth field goal of the night, this time from just 18 yards out. The Seahawks attempted a last minute drive to go down the field, but Elliott was able to chop the ball from Fred Jackson and Micah Hyde quickly recovered to give the Packers the ball for the final time. Aaron Rodgers took the snap successfully in the victory formation and took a knee for the final snap of the game.
Statistical Leaders
Passing: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (25/33, 249 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Rushing: James Starks, Green Bay Packers (20 carries, 95 yards)
Receiving: Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (8 catches, 116 yards)
Next Up
The Seattle Seahawks (0-2) will be joining the Chicago Bears (0-2) as they have their home opener at CenturyLink Field next Sunday, with each team looking for their first win. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers (2-0) will stay at Lambeau Field as they go up against the Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) on Monday Night Football on September 28.