The Green Bay Packers stunned the Seattle Seahawks 30-13 on Sunday night at Lumen Field, marking their first road victory against Seattle since 2008. The win was powered by rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who made significant contributions on both sides of the ball upon his return from injury.
Cooper’s return was nothing short of remarkable. He not only recorded the first of Green Bay's seven sacks but also nabbed his first career interception late in the game, making him the first Packers rookie to achieve both feats in the same contest since Esera Tuaolo did it back in 1991. “I just prepare to go out there and make plays,” Cooper said after the game, keeping his demeanor humble after what was undeniably an electrifying performance.
Early on, the Packers asserted their dominance by scoring on all four of their first-half possessions, racing to a commanding 20-3 lead at halftime. Quarterback Jordan Love was efficient, finishing 20 of 27 for 229 yards, including two touchdown passes to receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs, who returned from concussion protocols, showcased his skills with significant catches, including a spectacular sliding touchdown effort with just under five minutes remaining. “How about the catch? That second touchdown catch, it was a big-time play,” Coach Matt LaFleur remarked, praising Doubs’s effort.
The Seahawks struggled without their starting quarterback, Geno Smith, who left the game with a knee injury after being hit by Cooper. The injury happened when Smith launched himself to throw under pressure; Cooper made contact low, which caused Smith to land awkwardly. Smith's exit forced backup Sam Howell to step in, and he was unable to reclaim the momentum, completing only 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards and tossing one interception. “It’s just football,” Cooper said about the hit. “I was just trying to go get him down. That was it, simple as just playing the game.”
Despite the setback, Seattle had moments where they could’ve clawed back, especially after running back Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard touchdown run made the score 23-13 early in the fourth quarter. But Cooper’s pivotal interception on Howell barely minutes later effectively sealed the game for Green Bay. After his interception, Love quickly connected with Doubs to extend the Packers lead, ensuring the Seahawks were never back within reach.
Defensively, the Packers shone brightly, halting the Seahawks' offense to just 208 total yards. They imposed relentless pressure on both quarterbacks, leading to seven sacks and countless hurried throws. “Our D-line came to play and they did a hell of a job,” said LaFleur, highlighting the combined efforts of multiple defensive players who contributed to the ferocity displayed throughout the match.
Cooper's presence significantly bolstered Green Bay’s defensive performance, where not only did he tally five tackles, but he also added two quarterback hits and defended two passes. “He’s special, man,” defensive end Kingsley Enagbare said of Cooper’s impact. “He’s gonna be a hell of a player one day or continue to be one.”
The game highlighted the Packers' potential, demonstrating their capability to win when it matters most. With this victory, they've now captured eight of their last ten games, significantly improving their playoff aspirations. Love echoed confidence as he noted, “I like where we’re at. We’ve just got to keep figuring out ways to get these wins to end the season.”
Given the difficulty of Lumen Field as one of the loudest stadiums, fans were surprised to hear so many Packers supporters cheering throughout the game. LaFleur noted, “I definitely think our fans made a difference.” The atmosphere contributed to the overall success the Packers had on the field.
Looking onward, the Packers are gearing up for their next matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. If they can maintain their momentum and build on this solid performance, they may just be headed for the playoffs once again, with Cooper’s return acting as both catalyst and motivator for the squad as they seek to continue their successful run.
