Top 5 things to watch for in Packers vs. Seahawks matchup

Seahawks vs. Packers



SEATTLE -- If someone was to poll Hawks fans about memorable moments in Seahawks history, it's a good chance more than a few Green Bay memories would rank high.

There was that snowstorm playoff game in 2007. The Brett Favre interception happy games of the late 90s. The game former Hawks quarterback Matt Hasslebeck said "We want the ball and we're going to score," only to throw a pick-6 end the game.

And of course 2012, when the Hawks marched down the field at the end of regulation, only to have Golden Tate irrefutably catch a touchdown pass to clearly, concisely give the Seahawks a 14-12 victory.

I mean, that's what happened. Right?

With all the recent history, there may be no better team for the defending Super Bowl champs to open the season against. The Packers come with Super Bowl aspirations and ability themselves, and a high-flying offense led by Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers and a greatly improved defense will test the Hawks. What new memory will be made? It's impossible to say. But chances are we'll be talking about this for years to come.

Well, at the very least we'll be talking about it for six days, until the Hawks head down to San Diego in Week 2. Because the NFL season is back. Ain't it grand.

TOP 5 Things to watch for in the Packers vs. Seahawks game 

5. The Raising of the Championship Banner -- It's not part of the game, but it's importance can not be understated. The Seattle Seahawks raising the "Super Bowl XLVIII Champions" banner high on CenturyLink Field's rafters should be a moment of pride for all 12s, if not all Seattleites. Banners like this don't come often. Across the street at Safeco Field has no such banner, for instance. They don't even have a runner-up banner. Soak in the moment, because it could be your last time to reflect before the 2014 season begins.

Oh, and if you have tickets to the game, get there early.



4. Julius Peppers at outside linebacker -- Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers moved to Green Bay from Chicago this offseason, and could be critical if the Pack hopes to contain Russell Wilson's legs. By all accounts, Peppers, who was brought on to compliment Clay Matthews in pass rush, has fit well in the new scheme. His role could help shore up a defense that has struggled, and could put a ton of pressure on the Seahawks offensive line -- which has struggles of its own.

3. The Packers  Rookie Center -- What? Huh? How boring for the casual fan to keep their attention tuned to an opponent's center. But rookie center Corey Linsley is the man to watch. The fifth-round draft pick will not only have to deal with the crippling crowd noise of CenturLink Field -- otherwise known as False Start City -- but he'll also have to take on Seattle nose tackle Brandon Mebane; one of the Hawks' unheralded stars.

Yep, he's in for a tough night. Or as Bruce Irvin said, "I'm gonna pray for him."

2. Marshawn Lynch -- Despite all the talk of Percy Harvin and a more pass-happy offense, it's Lynch who still holds the key to a successful Seahawks season. Lynch's manner with the media is a little like his running. Terse. Persistent. At times painful. If the Seahawks do it through the air, it's because the Pack was too focused on Lynch's legs. If the Seahawks do it on the ground, it's on the back of their Pro Bowl running back. Wilson and Sherman may be the soul of this team, but Lynch is the body. And it goes nowhere without the body.

1. Illegal contact penalties -- All offseason, talking heads speculated the new defensive holding and illegal contact penalties put in place by the NFL were a direct result of the Seahawks dominant, physical play last season. Regardless of why they the rules were put in place, the penalties could have a big impact on the game. Will the Seahawks Legion of Boom be impeded by new flags? Will games last more than 4 hours? Will fans turn away as penalties hamper nearly every play? The illegal contact penalty rule has bigger implications than just a single game, and no place will it be more scrutinized than the first match up of the season.