An NFC Championship game for the ages

It’s not a surprising match up; but Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers, and the NFC West Champion Seattle Seahawks will make headlines.

Both teams possess high-powered, high-scoring offenses operated by dynamic quarterbacks. Both teams boast intense defenses, and both teams are led by two excellent coaches (Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy and Seattle’s Pete Carroll).

The Packers and Seahawks have met in the playoffs before, but those previous meetings were at Lambeau Field. This time the game will be contested at the NFL’s loudest stadium, Seattle’s Century Link Field, home of the “12th Man” fanbase.

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The last time the Packers played in the Pacific Northwest it wasn’t pretty. It was the opening Thursday night game back in September. The Packers offense struggled against the Seahawks defense, and their defense couldn’t keep up with the Seahawks’ offense.

The end result was a 36-16 Packers loss. This time around however things are different. The Packers are wiser, stronger, and have improved since that night. Things have changed for the Seahawks as well.

Over the course of the season, they proved that they aren’t completely invincible at home. The Dallas Cowboys –who were eliminated by Green Bay in the divisional round last week- went to Seattle back in Week Six and walked out with a 30-23 victory.

Two weeks before that, the Denver Broncos put a scare into the Seahawks. They came back from a 12 point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime. The Seahawks won in the extra period, but they proved that Century Link Field is only intimidating if you let it be.

Aaron Rodgers is playing hurt

But rest assured this game will be full of offense, full of physicality, and could bring in some solid ratings. While Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may be one of the best signal callers in the game, he’s been playing with a torn calf muscle since the end of the regular season.

While he won’t have too many problems finding receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, along with tight end Andrew Quarless, it may be painful for him to do so. The smart thing for the Packers to do would be to lean more on running back Eddie Lacy to take pressure off of Rodgers.

The Packer offensive line also needs to be on their A-game to protect Rodgers and make holes for Lacy against the speedy and athletic Seattle defense.

The Seahawks’ offense revolves around quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch. Both men run the best read-option in the league.

Both men are very prolific runners as they combined for 2,155 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Wilson also threw for 3,475 yards and 20 scores thanks to his compliment of receivers like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse.

Defense at the forefront of the NFC Championship game

Both teams are also fierce on the defensive side. The Packers 3-4 defense ranks in the top ten against the pass. Their run defense leaves much to be desired, but linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers –who are pass rush specialists- are the soul of Green Bay’s defense.

They also have a solid defensive line which allows their linebackers to roam free, and a solid secondary. The Seahawks 4-3 defense –better known as the “Legion Of Boom”- is led by All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Kam Chancellor. Their front seven is also very fast, very athletic, and they know what to expect from Green Bay’s offense.

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This will be an evenly matched, hard fought game. Green Bay can book their trip to the Super Bowl if they pressure Wilson, find a way to either stop or contain the Seahawks run game, score early and often, use Lacy to wear down the “Legion Of Boom” and find a way to confuse the Seahawks secondary.

Seattle can make their second straight Super Bowl if they do the following…. Run the ball down the Packers throats with both Wilson and Lynch, catch them off guard with play action, take advantage of Rodgers injury, and play disciplined defense.

This game will come down to wire and it will be fun to watch.

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