User blogs

Here’s a look at some of the key matchups that could sway the outcome.
David Bakhtiari vs. Seattle pass rushers http://www.usfootballlive.us/

The Seahawks defense features a bevy of fearsome pass rushers. Michael Bennett creates pressure from the Leo position while Cliff Avril penetrates from right end. Behind them, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner has a knack for sacking the quarterback, and Bruce Irvin could step into his own in 2014.

All of which is why Green Bay left tackle David Bakhtiari must be on top of his game. The Packers’ best chance of taking down the defending champs involves spreading their defense our with four or more pass catchers. In many cases, that will result in Bakhtiari being left on an island against one of Seattle’s pass rushers. He’ll need to keep them neutralized most of the night to give the Packers a chance.
Corey Linsley vs. The 12th Man

Even had starting center JC Tretter been healthy for Thursday’s opener, the Packers’ center versus the 12th Man would have been one of the game’s key matchup. That’s because no matter how well Tretter or Linsley performed during the preseason, each lacks regular season experience. Perhaps just as importantly, neither has dealt with the deafening crowd of Seattle’s CenturyLink Field before.

Whether Linsley can handle the line calls and effective run the no huddle offense will directly affect the number of points Green Bay’s offense can put on the board. The coaching staff thinks he’s ready, but nothing substitutes for first-hand exposure.
Letroy Guion vs. Marshawn Lynch and Seattle’s ground game

While the magnitude of losing nose tackle B.J. Raji for the season has been hotly debated over the past week, it’s indisputable how important new

starter Letroy Guion is to containing the Seahawks great rushing attack. Guion was a sieve for much of his time with Minnesota, but how much of that was due to playing with inferior talent remains to be seen.

www.usfootballlive.us/

already expected to be in the spotlight when the Green Bay Packers travel to Seattle for the club’s highly anticipated regular-season opener.

The spotlight will shine even brighter now that the Packers have lost a key starter on each side of the trenches.

In just the last 48 hours, the Packers have learned they will be without nose tackle B.J. Raji and center JC Tretter for the Sept. 4 clash with the Seahawks. Raji has a torn biceps that will require season-ending surgery, while head coach Mike McCarthy revealed that Tretter is dealing with a “significant” knee injury that will require “multiple weeks” to heal.

“This is the way the NFL is,” McCarthy said Sunday, via the team’s official site. “Injuries are part of our game. It’s unfortunate. But it will not stop us.”

Both players were injured in the first half of Green Bay’s 31-21 win over the Oakland Raiders last Friday. The Packers now have less than two weeks to groom two new starters before taking on the defending champs.

Which player is a bigger loss for the Packers vs. Seattle?
B.J. Raji JC Tretter Submit Vote vote to see results

Even at full strength, the Packers would be tested to the max by Seattle’s disruptive defensive line and powerful, run-heavy offensive line.

The Seahawks graded out as the best pass-rushing defense at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) a year ago, mostly because of their dominance up front. Seattle tallied 278 quarterback disruptions and 63 quarterback hits from just its defensive line in 2013, which averages out to roughly 17 disruptions and four hits per game.

Overall, the Seahawks had 44 sacks, including 8.5 from Michael Bennett and 8.0 from Cliff Avril.

While Seattle’s secondary receives most of the headlines, a defense doesn’t allow a 63.4 opponent passer rating over a full season without a consistent pass rush.

The Packers were going to take on Seattle with inexperience at center either way, but Tretter—a fourth-round pick in 2013—had been groomed all offseason to be the guy. General manager Ted Thompson let 2013 starter Evan Dietrich-Smith pursue other opportunities in free agency because there was a trust in Tretter taking hold of the job this summer. He did.

Now, fifth-round rookie Corey Linsley will be snapping the football to Aaron Rodgers in Seattle. He’ll get just a handful of practices to work with the first-team offense beforehand. And because Rodgers isn’t likely to play in Thursday’s preseason finale, the regular-season opener should represent the first time the two work together in a live contest.

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

The Packers have been down this road before. Last August, left tackle Bryan Bulaga blew out his knee, forcing fourth-round rookie David Bakhtiari into the starting lineup. He held up just fine on the blind side.

Linsley, who started 26 straight games for Ohio State in the rough-and-tough Big 10, has looked like a player this August.

Per PFF, Linsley has graded out (subscription required) as the third-best center in the NFL this preseason. He’s faced nothing but second- and third-string defensive players, but the rookie has held his own.

“He could play and they wouldn’t miss a beat,” a personnel man told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He has that rare ability to stay in front of guys. Recovers well. Has balance and athleticism. Like him.”