Packers Vs. Seahawks: First Impressions

It took Mike McCarthy all but 12 seconds to call his first timeout of the regular season. Sounds about right.

The Packers have been playing fast so far on this first Seattle drive. Nick Perry flying sideline to sideline after forcing Russell Wilson's first incompletion.

Packers deployed Clay Matthews in dime on the third-down sack on Wilson. They clearly want to move him all over the filed in a variety of packages.

Aaron Rodgers hit five of his first six passes for 66 yards until he threw a pick-six. However, the touchdown was called back, so the Seahawks take over after two flags.

That was Rodgers' first interception thrown since November 13, 2016 against the Titans. He went 251 straight regular season pass attempts without one.

Man, Kenny Clark is going to be good. He's pretty good now, but sheesh.

They're getting all kinds of personnel in. Jamaal Williams, Lance Kendricks, Trevor Davis. A lot of depth guys seeing snaps so far.

Kyle Murphy got beat by Cliff Avril to sack Rodgers, and rightfully so. Avril's speed was no match off the edge.

The Packers' pass rush is right back in early-2016 form when they were the top dogs. Impressive showing so far.

The offense hasn't had any issues moving the ball, but the field position battle has clearly favored the Seahawks.

Offense sputtering, defense excelling. Because Packers.

You won't find much on a stat sheet, but Clay Matthews has been looking like his old self off the edge today. Almost got to Wilson for a sack on two separate occasions.

On another note, Eddie Lacy's return to Green Bay has him averaging 1.5 yards per carry on his four touches.

Aaron Rodgers finds a new way to leave you stunned and wonder "how the hell did he do that?" every single week.

The lack of Bryan Bulaga along the offensive line is evident. Rodgers is running for his life.

Mike Daniels just isn't human. It's kind of crazy.

Ty Montgomery is just casually racking up the fantasy points today.

Mike Daniels up to this point in the third quarter has six tackles (four solo), 1.5 sacks and two pressures on Russell Wilson. That doesn't even account for his constant pressure.

Everyone wanted to see Mike Daniels on the field on third downs - including Daniels. The Packers are granting his wish today.

I can't imagine how much of a pain it is to defend Aaron Rodgers when he can move the ball in so many different ways.

Depending on how this current drive ends (third quarter, 1:47), that first down Aaron Rodgers picked up with his legs on third-and-11 may very well be one of the biggest plays of the game.

Jordy Nelson just scored his 64th career touchdown reception, leaving him one shy of tying Sterling Sharpe for the second-most in Packers history.

Aaron Rodgers just makes it look so easy. Catching the defense with 12 men on the field while keeping track of blitz protection, line alignment, who's going where, catching the snap and having the talent to still throw a dime 32 yards down the field. Just insane.

Damarious Randall just left the field at the start of the fourth quarter on a cart. There's no specified injury, but that's a blow to the Packers' "star" position.

The FOX broadcast said Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have accounted for 23 12-man-on-defense penalties in the last three seasons. The next-closest are the Colts with 10. Sheesh.

Pretty sure you need a bulldozer to take Ty Montgomery down. Sheesh x2.

Andddddd, I jinxed it. Montgomery hobbled to the sideline and eventually went into the blue medical tent.

It took the Packers 12 seconds into the game to use their first first-half timeout. It took them 1,309 seconds into the second half to use their first timeout. Hashtag analysis.

The Packers' young secondary were facing an early-season, late-game test in protecting a lead, and they held up. Only surrendered three points.

Up to this point (3:15, Q4), Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have combined for 16 catches via 21 targets for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Also, Rodgers is limping around a bit after having his foot stepped on twice in three plays. Speaking from experience, a cleat digging into your foot hurts. A lot.

Martellus Bennett just shoved KJ Wright on his ass after Rodgers slid for a first down. That was hilarious.

Bennett was defending his quarterback, nothing wrong with that, but you have to keep your composure in these late-game situations.

Now, Rodgers goes right back to Bennett for a first down and likely the dagger.

Aaron Rodgers has thrown for under 200 yards in six of his 10 career season-opening games. The other four, including today, have all been 300-yard games.

Eddie Lacy had five carries today for three yards. Welcome back to Green Bay?

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (68)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Wenis's picture

September 10, 2017 at 06:51 pm

Mashed Potatoe Mike at his finest !

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:11 pm

Another proud graduate of the Dan Quayle Spelling School.

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GVPacker's picture

September 10, 2017 at 06:54 pm

Ted T you take it on the chin for some of your personnel decisions but you found a gem in Mike Daniels!

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al bundy's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:07 pm

amen what a game.

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Since'61's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:06 pm

This is the type of game that can be won with good defense. Today the Packers defense won with excellent defensive play.

They also received some help from the officials on Rodgers early pick and on Wilson's pass to Graham in the end zone. Seattle probably should have had 14 more points, but officiating is part of the game.

However, take nothing away from the Packers defense, they were dominating today, especially in the first half. Seattle should have been shut out in the first but MM mismanaged the time outs at the end of the half. He should have let Seattle run out the clock. Instead he gave them an opportunity to score.

I like the way Monty runs in the red zone. He reminds me of Hornung in that once he gets close to the end zone he drives hard for pay dirt. Great TD run following Daniels forced fumble on Wilson.

Rodgers and the receivers looked very good in the quick passing game. OL needs work but they were playing against a great front 7 today.

Run game picked up yards when it mattered. Rodgers was Rodgers passing and running.
I didn't think that House looked very good today.

Overall a very solid win against a very good opponent. Bring on the Falcons. Thanks, Since '61

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:13 pm

I think MM was showing extreme confidence in his defense taking those timeouts late in the first half.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:22 pm

In a high scoring game where the offense was rolling, fine. But, in that game with an empty score board I think calling those timeouts is vapid stupidity.

However in the end, I have to give MM credit for figuring out how to move the ball against that Seahawks defense. He had them figured out for the whole second half. It's a good day to be a Packers fan.

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Since'61's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:03 pm

Jeremy - exactly. Calling those timeouts, especially the second one was unnecessary. The Packers were going to receive the 2nd half kick off anyway. I was concerned that Seattle's FG was going to come to back us but it didn't.

MM did figure it out in the 2nd half but M. Daniels was taking over the game for the Packers. He played huge today. I'd sign up for 18 more games like today's right now.

Thanks, Since '61

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:08 pm

I just think that was why he did it. Did he explain it in any of his post game?

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chugwater's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:25 pm

You were right S61. Dom did move Clay around into the middle sometimes.

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Since'61's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:57 pm

When Brooks went out of the game I wasn't sure if he would continue to move him around but he did and it worked out well. Thanks, Since '61

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dobber's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:15 pm

Brooks was very durable playing in SF....bring him to GB and he gets hurt first game out.

What's with that?

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flackcatcher's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:21 pm

Good no call on Graham/Bice in end zone. Second Graham grabbed Bice's helmet, Bice became a defenseless player. If the ball wasn't over thrown it was a 50/50 call on pass interference either way. NFL is letting Seattle know, they will not let them play beyond the whistle like they did in the past couple of years. This Ref crew deserves credit for calling and letting them play.

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4thand1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:53 pm

The refs always let the seachickens get away with murder in their secondary. Next game the next crew may flag everything. Go home Seattle and bury your heads in the sand, you got whooped.

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Bearmeat's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:06 pm

Loved sending the Seahags home with an EL. Take that you gum chewing moron! Oh, and China Food - welcome home!

Any bad luck Seattle had with the refs, they've earned it 50000 over. I haven't forgotten 2012 and 2014 yet.

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Turophile's picture

September 11, 2017 at 06:19 am

The good and the bad of MM.

Bad - clock management in the first half.

Good - He kept the pedal down on offense, as the seconds ticked away in the fourth quarter, nice !

A win against the Seahawks always makes me say
<LIFE (pause) IS GLORIOUS>. (Bonus points for knowing where that phrase came from). Clue - it is an old RPG game.

Mike Daniels - WOW.

Do you think the Packers are now top of Seattle's 'most hated' list...in capital letters ?

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Bearmeat's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:39 pm

Yes. The Pats and us. We're the only teams to consistently beat them over the past 4 years.

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Gman1976's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:17 pm

Great to see Daniels & company shut out the Seahawks from the end zone. Wow. That statistic alone is amazing! Go Pack Go!!!

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Brian Lee's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:17 pm

We rested Bulaga and we won! The Falcons barely beat the Bears. Hopefully we have Bulaga back next week. The offense will have to execute more efficiently and more consistently throughout the game next week to beat the Falcons on the road. A win next weekend would be an amazing start to the season! Go Pack, Go!

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:24 pm

Got Murphy real snaps too and I feel like he improved as the game moved on. He had a tough task.

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:13 pm

Agreed.

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carusotrap's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:25 pm

I think this whole "sign a free agent or seven" strategy may be one to keep an eye on.

As great as he is, I wish Rodgers would pull the trigger sooner on a lot of his drop backs. The minute they started the dink and dunk, everything fell into place. It's not elegant, but 3.34 yards per play gets you 1st down.

All pass on the first series. All run on the second. Not sure what MM is trying to prove, but I'm pretty sure the preseason is over.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:28 pm

When Rodgers does Dink and Dunk the deep stuff he wants opens up and we saw that too.

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snowdog's picture

September 11, 2017 at 12:41 pm

" but I'm pretty sure the preseason is over. " Playing 1's together , is

whole differant look see

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tm_inter's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:28 pm

As soon as Kyler Fackrell recovered Russell Wilson's fumble, I forgave him for being on the Packers' roster. The Packers must have seen something in him that I hadn't.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:28 pm

Good thing Mike Daniels knocked the ball over to the LOS.

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dobber's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:03 pm

It was a good thing he couldn't beat the C so he could be in position for that recovery!

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GBPDAN1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:40 pm

We beat the SeaHens! Life is good. Enjoy your week , folks!

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cheesehead1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:45 pm

Good win. We had calls go our way which I think shouldn't have, but it goes both ways. I remember many games where it was the other way. No point for Seahawks fans, media or especially Pete Caroll to complain, you can't have all the calls go in your favor. In the long run it evens out IMO. D played solid, but wasn't impressed with House at all. Hope he picks it up against ATL. Only one game, but a good start none the less.

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dobber's picture

September 11, 2017 at 07:09 am

I thought House looked iffy, too, but he's played very little preseason ball compared to the other members of the defense.

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justjoe's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:46 pm

Who was it that wanted to cut or trade Randall Cobb?
Will anyone admit to that today?

Cobb = Studd

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Bearmeat's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:09 pm

I think the injuries have cost him his already marginal speed, so he's no longer worth the contract, but he's an excellent chain mover still.

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Lphill's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:53 pm

So moving forward Capers needs to use Daniels less early on so he is fresh for later on
In the game . We have enough D line men I. believe to accomplish this.

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Norm's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:04 pm

The entire D should have been fresh with essentially a 2-1 TOP advantage for Green Bay.

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cpabandit's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:55 pm

Dear MM, please stop acting like a rookie coach by calling timeouts when the other team is happy with just running out the clock! Please learn already!

Dear ARod, please stop acting like a rookie QB. Either throw the ball to a receiver or throw it away. Holding it risks your health and loses yards! Please learn already!

Dear Dom Capers, you called a great game. Why do you revert to being an idiot by playing a soft D at the end of a game? Please learn already!

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dobber's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:05 pm

Somehow I don't think anyone here should be giving advice on how to play QB to Aaron Rodgers.

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:15 pm

I'll second that motion.

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4thand1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:57 pm

always one, pppppffftttt.

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Handsback's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:57 pm

OK, today was payback for the failed Mary game. Moving on, I know there's criticism for MM on the timeouts for the first half. That has been done many times when your defense has a chance to create a fumble or grab an interception. It's a chance, but the way the defense was playing....an opportunity existed for a turnover.
Seattle impressed me with their defense. It was better than I imagined. That being said...the Packer's Oline missed a lot of stunts. It wasn't just Murphy who I thought played pretty well. I will be very interested in the PFF grades for the Packer's linemen.

Green Bay's defense was better than I thought. I'm looking forward to seeing them play more together and mesh their responsibilities.

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dobber's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:11 pm

Defense flew to the ball today...much more than we've seen in a while. Still, let's remember that this was Seattle's blocking-challenged OL. Packers will get a real test next week against Atlanta, who has looked pedestrian on the offensive side of the ball through the preseason and today against Chicago.

Up a game plus tiebreaker with regard to playoff positioning against Seattle. Stayed even with the Lions (who managed to pull away late against Arizona, who really look like they've gotten old). A real good W: 1-0 this week, now looking ahead to 1-0 next week.

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Curt's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:35 pm

No chance to get the ball back without a turnover and since throwing the ball wasn't going to happen it would have taken a fumble from a RB who was just trying to go down (if MM wouldn't have taken the time outs). Chance for giving up 3 or 6/7 were much higher than anything else - bonehead move that fortunately didn't cost the game.

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dobber's picture

September 11, 2017 at 07:14 am

The clock was in their favor to force a punt if they could get a stop. The defense was playing well...he was gambling on trying to get a quick strike on a return, or a return to get position for a FG, and then start with the ball in the second half. You've got a returner (Davis) who you know can make things happen. I don't know why people get on him for this: it's a pretty common practice in the NFL, and it's playing aggressively. We can make our analysis in retrospect, which means we're always right.

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dcharlesc's picture

September 11, 2017 at 03:12 pm

After further review, a completely boneheaded call. They took their final timeout after 2nd down with 43 seconds left. If Seattle runs the ball into the line of scrimmage on 3rd down, which they definitely were planning on doing, the clock runs out before they have to punt. So he was risking what eventually happened on the unlikely event of a botched snap. What bothers me is that he had enough time to have someone do the math for him.

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NickPerry's picture

September 10, 2017 at 07:58 pm

I thought the Packers played a pretty good game considering how little they played in preseason. I thought Cobb & Montgomery would be big and they were.
Loved the effort by the defense today. Except for the series where the Seahags scored their last FG I even thought Randall played well.
Mike Daniels and Nick Perry should be in together on All passing downs!!

Yes the Packers got a few brakes BUT Lane did try to drive his forearm through Adams Adams Apple. NEWS FLASH.... Jeremy Lane wouldn't have mattered a bit anyways. News Flash #2...Seattle got away with a few too.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck can straight up ruin a game for a Packers fan. Jezzz...Just Shut Up and call the damn game!
Bennett made a boneheaded play in the 4th quarter but I LOVED that he stuck up for his QB. T.J. Lang would have done the same exact thing.

Mike McCarthy...PLEASE STOP calling TO with seconds left in a half in hopes you get the ball back. It never works and you get burned every time it seems.

Bryan Bulaga please get healthy!!!

1-0 !!!!!!

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EdsLaces's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:10 pm

He really has gotten burned on the first half time outs 374 times!

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fthisJack's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:18 pm

there was PI on Adams in the second quarter when he was trying to go back for the ball and got run over by the defender and it was almost intercepted by the safety.

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NickPerry's picture

September 11, 2017 at 04:49 am

That's a perfect example. Or how about play where Cobb caught the ball and made a first down and barely bumped into Lane. The called that taunting??? WTF!

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dobber's picture

September 11, 2017 at 07:15 am

I was actually OK with that so long as the refs kept the same standard for Seattle. They're a noxious bunch.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:04 pm

You can complain about a timeout in the first 12 second, but if we had spent only 2 more of them early, the sea-chix wouldn't have gotten 3 before half.

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al bundy's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:02 pm

Best defensive game I've seen from the Pack in a long time, bravo. Watched several games today and it was the best defense I saw all day
How could you not be impressed.

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EdsLaces's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:11 pm

Love a low scoring slug fest! Nice to start out 1-0 especially against the Seachickens. This one's for Wyatt and Adam Go pack go!

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fthisJack's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:14 pm

i'm sending crying towels to Buck, Aikman, and Caroll .....whiners!!!!!!

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azmtns's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:24 pm

Joe Buck is the worst, he hates the pack. Even my kids who were watching thought he was biased.

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Curt's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:38 pm

Aikman is usually noticeably biased against GB, but i was surprised when Buck took it to the next level. So busy lamenting the "bad calls" it was like he never even noticed the rest of the game.

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Oppy's picture

September 10, 2017 at 09:31 pm

There's no bias.

They just don't call games like homers, because they are supposed to be professionals.

When they see bad calls that potentially change games, they call it as they see it.

There were some bad calls that potentially changed the game.

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dobber's picture

September 11, 2017 at 07:17 am

They're mostly like other announcers: their analysis tends to follow game flow. If your team is playing poorly, they'll pound on you. If your team is playing well, they tend to gush over you.

The real difference, for me, is that they're more snarky than most other announcing pairs (except maybe for Collinsworth), and that just rubs me the wrong way.

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LayingTheLawe's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:34 pm

Montgomery ran hard and made the most of no holes out there. When there are holes he's going to get some big chunks of yards.

The offense was so slow and sluggish in the first half. Every play the ball was snapped as the play clock went from 1 to 0 and everything seemed in slow motion.

Finally they caught the defense in a mismatch with the Seahawks trying to bracket Nelson with a linebacker and a safety. I don't care if the safety is Thomas that is still a big time edge for the Packers and they took advantage of it. They need to do more of that. With so many receiving options they should be able to end up with Montgomery on a linebacker, or Nelson or Bennett with an edge to exploit.

I know we can't get overly excited cause the Seahawks offensive line is so bad but what a domination up front by the Packers D!! They shut them down and even got the turnover to set up the first score. Fantastic pressure and activity all over the field and I look forward to seeing more.

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flackcatcher's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:36 pm

We all knew this was going to be a slugfest. For a first game this was well played on both sides. Bodes well for the rest of the season. And once again, the God of injury shows up. Hope Brooks can play next week. All in all, an excellent start .

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Mario Willis's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:40 pm

Week One...Nothing to really see here. Our defensive line is decent but honestly Seattle's Offensive Line is OFFENSIVE (See what I did there)

Loved the early rhythm passes but the RUN to PASS ratio in the first quarter was ugly. WE HAVE TO RUN THE BALL EARLY for the PLAY ACTION to be effective.

What I liked?
We won. Moving on to week 2. We need to establish a running game earlier & staying in man to man will eventually come to bite us. EVENTUALLY! No exceptional receivers on Seattle so we were safe, sorta.

RELAXING BEFORE THE HALF WAS EMBARRASSING!!

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cheesehead1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 08:46 pm

Forgot to mention how I liked Bennett sticking up for Aaron. We need more of that. Hope it's contagious.

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4thand1's picture

September 10, 2017 at 09:03 pm

That was the best PF I've seen in a long time. Then Bennett put the dagger in them with the catch and run right before the 2 minute warning. Love the 3 kneels at the end of the game...........R-E-L-A-X-I-N-G.

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Siwi87's picture

September 10, 2017 at 09:22 pm

I would like to call out all the members who think Cobb and Mathews are expendable. Both players, expensive, yes, but they make plays!

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Turophile's picture

September 11, 2017 at 09:58 am

Too early in the season to be calling members out.

Both players were a disappointment, relative to their contract size, last year. They were not like, say, Bakhtiari (4yrs $48m), who did live up to his big contract. If the two of them play up to their contracts this year, they will be a huge asset.

One game is not a season, call each one as you see it. This one was good for them both, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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pacman's picture

September 10, 2017 at 10:13 pm

Loved this low scoring old style football game - not scoring every drive.

OL was not supposed to be able to offer much in way of opening holes but run game was able to power through. I don't know why they didn't call more screens though. It did look a bit scary when Wilson seemed to be able to lob up some throws and his receivers seemed to know just how to follow ball and make the jumping catch.

Real curious to see how both O and D do next week.

I don't blame announcers for harping on the bad calls. It certainly changed the game.

Does anyone remember the run where Wilson was out in front blocking? I don't recall who the defender was but he layed off him. He should have flattened him.

I hope AR gets a good week of rest and massages.

Congratulations all around.

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erikgj's picture

September 10, 2017 at 10:26 pm

Damn good punting too

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Spock's picture

September 11, 2017 at 04:17 am

Can we stop the "Cobb isn't living up to his contract" bs now? He was worth every penny this game. Closer score than I imagined, but what a great first game to watch!

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sheppercheeser's picture

September 11, 2017 at 09:32 am

I loved that 3rd down play where Joe Buck said MM would never throw on a play like that. AR faked the handoff left, rolled right and completed a pass that helped seal the deal at crunch time! Nice call MM!

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Cartwright's picture

September 11, 2017 at 07:10 pm

Glad the coach pulled a bonehead move so early in the season. It was a lesson learned. Don't play with your time outs like that. I guess he got very giddy seeing the defense doing so well and took a chance.

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