Packers take a 12-7 lead
Cedric Benson scored on a one-yard run, and the Packers now have a 12-7 lead with 8:44 left in the game. The Seahawks have done nothing on offense this half, but now need a touchdown if they don’t want to fall to 1-2.
Will update the score, but probably won’t have time for much else until after the game.
After three quarters, Seahawks 7, Packers 6
The Packers had two long drives, both of which were aided by some penalties, and got field goals out of both of them to make it a one-point game.
Seattle’s offense has done next to nothing outside of the one big pass to Golden Tate, and is facing third-and-5 to open the fourth quarter. As good as Seattle’s defense was in the first half, the offense will have to do something at some point if Seattle wants to win this game. The Packers seem to be getting their offense going, at least a little, and if all they need is a field goal over the next quarter, that’s asking a lot of Seattle’s defense.
Seahawks lead the Packers 7-0 at halftime
Russell Wilson to Golden Tate for a 41-yard touchdown was the big story of the game has been the defense, and in particular a pass rush that has produced eight sacks in the first half. Chris Clemons is leading the way with four, rookie Bruce Irvin has two, and so does Brandon Mebane (though one of those came from Rodgers falling down).
And while that pass rush has been impressive, it’s worth pointing out the play of Seattle’s excellent secondary. Quite a few of those sacks have been the result of Rodgers holding the ball because he has nobody open, and almost all of his 12 completions have been check downs. Also, the Packers have all but given up on the rush, which has allowed the D-linemen to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback.
The Packers had just 87 yards in the first half to Seattle’s 147. Marshawn Lynch has 71 yards on 16 carries for Seattle, while Wilson is 5 for 10 for 69 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers has completed 12 of 15 passes, but for only 86 yards.
Seahawks 7, Packers 0, press box shaking
After a whole bunch of punting, the Seahawks have struck first, and they did so on a big play. After a Green Bay personal foul gave Seattle the ball at the Packers 41-yard line, Russell Wilson hit Golden Tate with a perfectly thrown deep ball off a play action, and Seattle leads 7-0 with 6:22 left in the half.
On Green Bay’s last possession, Chris Clemons forced a punt with his second sack of the night, and if not for holding (which was called) Bruce Irvin might have gotten their first. The Seahawks now have five sacks… well, they have four, the turf has one for tripping Rodgers, but Brandon Mebane gets credit for it for touching him down.
Seahawks 0, Packers 0, end of 1st quarter
Since we last checked in, there has been, well, more punting. So far this game is a slug-fest, and while Seahawks fans would no doubt like to see their team ahead, that is still a good sign. This is the type of game they want to be playing.
The biggest negative for Seattle so far is four first-quarter penalties. The Seahawks had 13 in their season-opening loss, then cut that down to five last week. So far they’re heading back in the wrong direction in that category. Packers will open the second quarter with decent field position thanks in large part to another penalty, this one a 15-yarder on Malcolm Smith for a late hit on the punt return.
Oh, and Bruce Irvin, who some people were ready to write off as a bust after two games, has two sacks so far tonight.
First quarter, lots of punting so far
Stuck in traffic and missed the start of the game? Well no worries. Not only do we have you covered here, but also, you didn’t miss much.
The Seahawks started with the ball, but went three and out, thanks in part to a false start by Russell Okung that turned third-and-2 into third-and-7. That was Okung’s fourth false start penalty already this year. That’s particularly troubling considering he missed an entire game. Seattle’s defense did its job though, forcing Green Bay to give the ball back. Rookie Bruce Irvin had his first solo sack on third down after getting a half sack last week.
The Seahawks came out throwing on their next drive, but eventually stalled out at midfield and had to punt. Jon Ryan’s punt was downed at the 1-yard line, so while that Seahawks drive didn’t net any points, it did allow Seattle to change field position.
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