Facing a 13-3 team with an elite quarterback in one of the toughest stadiums in the NFL is always going to be a challenge. That's exactly the situation the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in as they get ready to face off against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau on Sunday.
According to Vegas betting odds, the Seahawks come in as the four-point underdogs against the NFC North champs. A close game is expected for a game between two teams that are pretty evenly matched.
However, I think Seattle comes out of this game victorious and here are four reasons why.
4. Road warriors
For whatever reason, the Seahawks have played much better on the road this season in away games than they have at home. At home, the Seahawks are a mediocre 4-4 on the year. On the other hand, at 7-1, no team in the NFL has a better away record than the Seahawks.
Now, to be fair, three of Seattle's home losses have come by the hands of the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens — all among the top teams in the league. But when it comes time to hit the road, Pete Carroll and his squad are always ready to play.
3. They've been in a lot of close games this season
Las Vegas isn't the only one thinking this will be a close battle. The Packers won't be easy to knock off, especially at home. Of the Seahawks 17 games, an astounding 13 have been decided by one possession or less. In those games, Seattle is an impressive 11-2.
Seattle has been in a lot of battles this season. They haven't really blown out opponents this year and while that may be seen as a weakness to some, I'm taking Russell Wilson almost pretty much everyone when it comes to clutch time.
2. Coaching advantage
First-year head coach Matt LaFleur has done a fantastic job at turning around the Packers after a not-so-great 2018. And while I think LaFleur will be a head coach in this league for a very long time, I'm wary to trust a guy who simply just hasn't been there before.
The game against the Seahawks will obviously be LaFleur's first-ever playoff game. Comparatively, Pete Caroll has over two decades of NFL coaching experience
The Seahawks have made the playoffs in eight of the 10 years that Carroll has been with Seattle. He has made two Super Bowl appearances, winning one of those, and is one of the best coaches in the NFL.
1. D.K. Metcalf
Seattle took a risk drafting a raw, physically dominant receiver out of Ole Miss in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. That risk has paid off exceptionally well so far. The Packers have an elite receiver in Davante Adams who is unquestionably a better receiver overall than Metcalf. however, at the same time, Metcalf has the potential to be an All-Pro type player in the future and if his playoff debut was any indication, it may come sooner than later.
Against Philadelphia in the Wild Card round, Metcalf was absolutely dominant. The rookie caught seven of his nine targets for 160 yards and one touchdown. It'll be hard to replicate such a performance twice in a row but simply put, Metcalf is a playmaker and definitely someone you'd want on your team.
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