Green Bay and Seattle is one of the biggest rivalries in the last five to seven years in football. Now, it’s a little different than it was a couple years ago. Gone are the days of the Legion of Boom. Gone are Jordy Nelson, Eddie Lacy drama and other small issues throughout this rivalry. The drama hit its high point with the 2014 NFC Championship Game. In Thursday’s game, some are calling it the first playoff game of the season. Do I think either team is eliminated if they lose this game? No. But the winner gets a significant boost in the playoff standings.

Green Bay needs to stop the Seattle rushing attack – Green Bay and Seattle both would like to run the ball. Seahawks definitely favor it more than the Packers do. Both teams will need to stop the run in order to win this football game. Green Bay showed some leaks in stopping the run in recent games. They really miss Jake Ryan. Can the blitz-heavy Packers slow down the Seahawks running attack? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Pettine dials back the blitzes for Seattle. Chris Carson is expected back for Seattle after dealing an injury.

Body Blow theory in play for the Seahawks – This is something my friends at The Solid Verbal use college football, but let’s look at Seattle’s last two games. They’ve played the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. Two of the best teams in football. Two of the best running backs in football – Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley. You have to believe they’re a little beat up right now from taking those punishing blows. Also, the Rams game featured 67 points with both teams running up and down the field. We’ll see how the Seahawks hold up in the third and fourth quarter.

Jimmy Graham revenge game – This has not been a standout year for Jimmy Graham. Some in the media this week went as far to call a ‘mistake’ Graham signed here and wondered if Graham would be back on the roster. Mike McCarthy’s system is not built for tight ends. We’ve seen it fail time and time again. Graham is just the latest victim for the Packers. That said, he will want to get loose in this game with returning to Seattle. Seahawks are good stats-wise against tight ends, but Graham is the best tight end they’ve faced all year.

Prediction: I like the Packers to win this game, 27-17. I truly think they’re the better team than Seattle and know about the road trip issues yet Green Bay can wear down Seattle. Aaron Jones has another big day, and we see some of the old Aaron Rodgers this week. The defense should be solid as I expect Pettine to lessen the biltes this week and trust his defense.

Charlie.