SEATTLE – The Packers got their first win in Seattle in 16 years by a score of 30-13 Sunday night at Lumen Field to improve to 10-4 on the season.
Here are five takeaways from the big road triumph:
- A fast start goes a long way in this building.
The Packers came out like gangbusters, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the game sandwiched around a defensive stop that featured a third-down sack – one of seven sacks by the defense on the night.
Running back Josh Jacobs was the workhorse early on, getting the ball via run or screen pass on nine of the 11 plays on the opening TD drive, which he finished with a short plunge. He was on his way to 136 total yards from scrimmage with more than 80 in the first quarter.
Then receiver Romeo Doubs, back after missing two games with a concussion and wearing a Guardian cap over his helmet for extra protection, concluded the second drive by catching a slant and dragging two defenders into the end zone.
"That was awesome," QB Jordan Love said. "That's something we really haven't seen out of Rome, running guys over and putting the team on his back. It shows how much he loves it and is willing to fight to get those extra yards, and get that touchdown."
The Packers were up 14-0 and in complete command.
"I like our guys' confidence," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "We came out and started fast. We knew that was going to be a key to the game to take the crowd out of it the best we could."
Green Bay hadn't scored two TDs on its first two possessions since the late November win over Kansas City last year, and it was the polar opposite of the punt-punt-fumble start to the Week 14 loss at Detroit the previous Thursday night.
"That is definitely something we've focused on all week, talked about all week, is starting fast," Love said. "That's when we're at our best is starting fast, getting the ball, putting up points and going from there."
- A couple of key players returned to the lineup and made their presence felt.
First was Doubs, who also scored the game's final touchdown on a diving catch in the back of the end zone. He had three receptions for 40 yards and both of Love's TD tosses, as the QB was an efficient 20-of-27 for 229 yards and a 123.8 passer rating.
"How 'bout that catch, that second touchdown catch?" LaFleur said, referring to Doubs. "That was a big-time play. I love how Rome works. He's been pretty consistent for us, and he comes through. It was cool to have him back out there."
The other was rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who had missed the last three games with a hamstring injury but stood out both as a pass rusher and in coverage all nighgt.
Cooper finished with five tackles, a sack, two QB hits, and two passes defensed to go with his first career interception, which came in the fourth quarter and preceded the second Doubs TD that put the game away. Cooper's performance was timely as well, with the Packers losing fellow linebacker Quay Walkerto an ankle injury during the game.
"He's just a helluva player," LaFleur said of Cooper, while also crediting defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with how he's using Cooper, and position coach Anthony Campanile for how he's coached him and all the linebackers. "It's been fun to watch and witness his growth.
"Coop's a helluvan athlete, man, and he's just scratching the surface of what he can become in this league."
- The overall defensive effort was solid and impactful.
Six different players contributed to the seven sacks, with Kingsley Enagbare getting two of them. Second-year corner Carrington Valentine got his first career interception in the first half, taking points off the board for Seattle by picking off QB Geno Smith in the end zone.
Smith exited the game late in the third quarter with a knee injury and was replaced by Sam Howell, who struggled. All told, the Packers racked up 12 QB hits and 10 tackles for loss while holding the Seahawks to just 208 total yards.
"I'm proud of our team effort, especially our defense," LaFleur said. "I thought they played a really good game for four quarters. Got constant pressure on the QB, got a couple takeaways.
"That's the plan every week," LaFleur added regarding the steady pressure on Smith and Howell. "It's just whether or not you're able to go out there and do it. It's the best way to disrupt the offense. Our D-line came to play."
- The game did get a little closer than it should've, though.
Green Bay's offense hit the skids in the second half and didn't put this win on ice as soon as it could've. A missed throw by Love, a stumble and fumble by Jacobs, and a slip on a route by Jayden Reed all conspired to keep the Seahawks in it. Reed also muffed a punt that nearly became a disastrous turnover.
Seattle pulled within 23-13 in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard TD run by Zach Charbonnet (eight carries, 54 yards) and got the ball back in good field position on a failed fourth down with just under six minutes left, still trailing by 10.
Maybe things unfold differently for Seattle if Smith had still been in the game at QB, but the Packers didn't let Howell do anything.
Defensive lineman Karl Brooks got sack No. 6 for the defense, Cooper followed with his pick, and Doubs' diving 22-yard TD catch finally allowed the Packers to exhale.
"It was big time, because it felt way disjointed in the second half," LaFleur said of the final touchdown. "That's the reality of it. I thought there were some opportunities there we just didn't capitalize on. Some was a lack of execution and some of it was terrible play calls."
- A playoff spot appears right around the corner.
Mathematically, the Packers haven't clinched an NFC playoff spot yet, but by getting their 10th win they are right on the verge.
A win like this in a tough road environment bodes well for what will be a road-warrior playoff path as a wild-card entrant once the Packers officially secure their place.
That said, LaFleur made sure to credit the strong contingent of Packers fans in the crowd, as they diminished some of the noise the Seattle faithful are known for making.
"Big shout-out to our fans," LaFleur said. "I definitely was not expecting that many Packer fans in the stands. This is a tough place to play, it's extremely loud, and I was shocked when our defense was on the field and I could hear our Packer fans.
"It definitely made a difference for us."
