SEATTLE – The Green Bay Packers traveled to Lumen Field and ended the Seattle Seahawks' four-game winning streak with a decisive 30-13 victory on Sunday evening, pushing themselves to the brink of clinching a playoff spot.
Quarterback Jordan Love led the charge for the Packers, throwing two touchdown passes to receiver Romeo Doubs, who made his presence felt quickly after returning from concussion protocol. Doubs' impressive back-end catch late in the fourth quarter propelled the Packers to their first win at Seattle since 2008. Following Doubs' second score, fans erupted with chants of "Go Pack Go!" echoing across the field.
Meanwhile, Seattle's night became increasingly challenging after quarterback Geno Smith went down with a knee injury in the third quarter, resulting from a low hit by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards and threw one interception before being replaced by backup Sam Howell, who struggled to find rhythm, finishing 5 of 14 for just 24 yards.
Josh Jacobs had another stellar performance for Green Bay, rushing for 94 yards and scoring one touchdown, contributing to the team's eight wins out of their last ten games. Meanwhile, Brandon McManus solidified his role as kicker with three successful field goals, part of the Packers' systematic scoring throughout the game.
The first half saw Green Bay execute flawlessly, scoring on all four possessions. Jacobs capped off the opening drive with a one-yard touchdown run after benefiting from an unnecessary roughness penalty on Seattle’s Riq Woolen. Love followed up with his first touchdown pass to Doubs, completing a 13-yard throw, breaking two tackles before entering the end zone.
Seattle did manage to find some offense. Jason Myers halted some of Green Bay's momentum with his 48-yard field goal after the Seahawks faced early deficits. McManus answered back with his own field goal, extending Green Bay's lead.
The turning point, perhaps, came just before halftime. The Seahawks appeared primed for more points when they reached the Green Bay 12-yard line, but Smith's throw intended for Noah Fant was intercepted by Carrington Valentine—an especially notable moment as it marked the first career interception for the second-year defensive back.
At halftime, the Packers were up comfortably at 20-3, leaving Seattle with significant work to do.
Emerging from the break, the Seahawks fought back with vigor. Zach Charbonnet found his way through for a stunning 24-yard touchdown run, pulling Seattle closer at 23-13. The stadium buzzed with renewed hope of seeing their team rally.
But Love and Doubs left little room for error among the Seattle defenders. Just three plays after Seattle's touchdown, Love connected with Doubs again for another score, effectively sealing the victory amid chants of celebration from Packers fans present.
Despite its challenges, Green Bay's night proved significant for securing their playoff aspirations. Love expressed his confidence post-game: "I like where we're at. We've just got to keep figuring out ways to get ... wins to end the season off." The Packers currently stand at 10-4 and now require just one more win to secure their playoff position.
On the flip side, the Seahawks fell to 8-6 and entered a tie for first place with the Los Angeles Rams at the top of the NFC West. Smith's injury adds urgency to their next matchup, as they look to rebound against the Minnesota Vikings at home.
Looking past the numbers, this matchup encapsulated not merely statistics, but moments of vulnerability and resilience from both squads. The impact of injuries was palpable and could shape the narrative for playoff positioning down the line. The Packers' defense rose to the occasion at Lumen Field, claiming necessary turnovers and limiting Smith when it mattered most.
Next, the Packers are set to host the New Orleans Saints on December 23, intending to wrap up their playoff berth. Conversely, the Seahawks will have little time to dwell on their defeat as they prepare for their clash against the Vikings.
This game served as not only another chapter for both teams but also set the stage for the coming weeks of the NFL season, teeming with anticipation as playoff dreams become clearer or dimmer.
