The Green Bay Packers entered Sunday night's matchup with the Seattle Seahawks owning just a 1-4 record against teams with winning records this season, hungry to rebound from a shootout loss to their long-time rivals, the Detroit Lions. They did just this, riding the bruising performances of Josh Jacobs and the impressive showing from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's defense to outlast the Seahawks with a commanding 30-13 victory, thereby keeping their playoff hopes alive.
While Jacobs was not perfect—he fumbled on a fourth-quarter carry and was stopped on another fourth-down attempt—he showcased his worth early, shedding tackles and helping Green Bay secure a 20-3 lead at halftime. On the other side, the Seahawks found it exceedingly difficult to contend with Hafley’s defensive strategy, surrendering seven sacks and witnessing both Geno Smith and Sam Howell turn the ball over.
Smith’s night ended prematurely when he sustained a knee injury midway through the third quarter as he attempted to evade pressure from Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. After going to the locker room for evaluation, he returned to the sideline visibly limping but did not re-enter the game. Howell took over the quarterback duties but was limited as Cooper showcased his prowess on defense, recording an interception and contributing five tackles as well as one sack.
One of the plays of the night came when Jacobs effectively opened the scoring, illustrating why he has emerged as such a key player. He barreled through the Seahawks defense early, leading to several fundamental drives. His performance, particularly during the first quarter, was punctuated by his 94 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, complemented by four receptions for 42 yards.
Despite Jacobs’ strong start, it wasn’t until late when the game was sealed, thanks to quarterback Jordan Love's big play—a deep touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. This deep strike proved pivotal, allowing Green Bay to open up the game as they looked to demonstrate their capability against playoff-caliber competition.
The Packers’ ability to close out games against competitive teams has been questioned previously, but this performance indicated their potential as serious NFC contenders. The team demonstrated not just physical resilience but also mental toughness, particularly during crunch time against the Seahawks, who were previously leading the NFC West at 8-5.
For the Seahawks, the loss highlighted major issues. They initially sought to maintain their position atop the division but faltered badly, with their offensive line reverting to less-than-stellar form. Smith's injury only compounded their difficulties, significantly impacting the team's overall rhythm. The Seahawks’ running game, led by Zach Charbonnet, was rendered useless until late, failing to capitalize on what should have been advantageous situations.
Following this loss, questions loom for Seattle as they prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings, who are currently flying high with aspirations for the playoffs. The Seahawks will have to regroup quickly, particularly if Smith cannot return to his normal form.
Looking to the future, the Packers (10-4) will make their way back to Lambeau Field for their Week 16 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, who sit at 5-9 after their close loss to the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, the Seahawks (8-6) must face off against the formidable Vikings (11-2), who are eager for victory as they look to strengthen their playoff positioning.
