Written by Rohit Ghosh

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Seattle hosts Green Bay on Monday Night!

Given that the Seahawks are 17-8 all-time on MNF, we’re getting ready to see a tremendous match-up between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Although the Packers are led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the Seahawks fly to the beat set by running back Marshawn Lynch, Monday’s game will be about two defenses coming off solid Week 2 performances. Both teams enter Week 3 on a high note as the Seahawks surprisingly manhandled the Cowboys 27-7 while Green Bay sent Jay Cutler and the Bears home after a dominating 23-10 win.



See AccuScore's picks against the spread, over/under and on the moneyline for tonight’s game on the NFL Expert Picks page

Who will leave Seattle with a losing record? AccuScore simulations project a close 27-23 win for Green Bay with the Packers winning almost 60 percent of the time. I’m also going with Green Bay (who comes in as -3 favorites), but by a larger margin, 24-16. They’ve had 10 days to prepare for this game, and are just too talented for Seattle.

Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown two touchdowns and one interception so far this season. From what we’ve seen in the past two games, Wilson’s accuracy and efficiency change drastically when five or more rushers attack him. According to ESPN.com, Wilson completed 6-of-18 passes for 47 yards against Arizona when they rushed him with five or more defenders. The rest of the game he completed 12-of-16 passes for 106 yards and 1 touchdown. Against Dallas in Week 2, the Cowboys sent five or more rushers at Wilson only six times. When they sent fewer than five, he threw for 130 yards (12-15) and a score. Green Bay will send five plus rushers much more often than Dallas did, a strategy that forced Cutler to go 2-9 on those plays along with 2 interceptions last week. This is a big week for Wilson. He needs to prove he can make throws when it counts, and what better time to prove it than on Monday Night Football.

Seattle will continue to depend on its running game, and attempt to take advantage of Green Bay’s inability to stop the run. Lynch is averaging 4.5 yards a rush and already has 47 carries this season. If Lynch is on his game from kickoff, the entire field opens up for Wilson, while at the same time limiting the Packer pass rush. So far this season, the Seahawks have averaged 140 yards rushing per game and the Green Bay defense has allowed that same amount. I would expect the Packers to stack the box on defense and deny any big gains to Lynch. Green Bay will be content to give him short gains, and force Wilson to beat them. AccuScore projects 80 yards rushing for Lynch.

Credit Where It’s Due: Green Bay corner Tramon Williams returned last Thursday with two interceptions and a complete shutdown of Bear receiver Brandon Marshall.

Playing in Seattle isn’t easy, and Green Bay needs to get off to a fast start. The Seattle defensive front has held opposing teams to 46.5 rushing yards per game, and it’s vital for the Packers to get some early receptions on the outside against the corners. The Seattle D is actually very similar in make-up to that of the 49ers with guys who tackle like there’s no tomorrow. Green Bay’s receivers must make sure to hold on to the ball once they get hit; otherwise we could see plenty of loose footballs on Monday.

Packer receiver Greg Jennings expects to play Monday night despite a groin injury he suffered in Week 1. I’m excited to see the Seahawks D go up against a no-huddle spread offense. It’s tough for teams to prepare against a no-huddle, something Rodgers and Jennings will take advantage of. Green Bay should learn from last week, and not repeat the same mistakes as the Cowboys: don’t run crossing routes into the Seattle secondary. The secondary is aggressive, and Green Bay is much better off having its receivers do multiple moves on a route instead of just one.

Loud is an understatement to what it will be like in Seattle making me that much more excited to see how Rodgers handles the pressure. The Green Bay offense hasn’t fired on all cylinders yet, but I can’t see Rodgers having another sub-par showing. AccuScore projects 290+ yards for Rodgers, and it is about time for Rodgers and his offense to have a dominating performance. All signs point to a good match-up Monday with the Pack most likely coming out on top.