PACKERVILLE, U.S.A.: December 2024

Saturday, December 28, 2024

2024 Week 17 — Packers at Vikings

Packers visit Vikings in clash of surging clubs, the 1st time in series both teams have 11-plus wins

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (13-2)

Day/Time/TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox

Series record: Packers lead 66-59-3.

Last meeting: Vikings beat Packers 31-29 on Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay.

Last week: Packers beat Saints 34-0, Vikings beat Seahawks 27-24.

Packers offense: total (4), rush (4), pass (12), scoring (7).

Packers defense: total (6), rush (8), pass (8), scoring (6).

Vikings offense: total (12), rush (16), pass (8), scoring (9).

Vikings defense: total (15), rush (2), pass (30), scoring (3).

Turnover differential: Packers plus-12, Vikings plus-10.

Even though their long-shot hopes of winning the NFC North have vanished, the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers believe they can make a legitimate run at their first Super Bowl appearance since their 2010 championship season. A rapidly improving defense gives them ample reason for confidence.

The Packers (11-4) followed up a seven-sack performance in a 30-13 victory at Seattle by producing the first shutout of the NFL season, a 34-0 playoff-clinching blowout of the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Green Bay delivered its first shutout since a 17-0 triumph over Seattle in 2021 and its most lopsided victory since a 55-14 rout of the Chicago Bears in 2014. “We’ve noticed all along that the defense is a lot different this year, and they’ve been making some big-time plays all along,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “But any time you can hold anybody to zero points in the National Football League is pretty awesome.”

The Packers were seeking to produce a championship-caliber defense to go along with their dynamic offense when they fired Joe Barry as coordinator in the offseason and replaced him with former Boston College coach Jeff Hafley. Green Bay switched from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3, with Hafley emphasizing the need to produce more big plays. Green Bay has done just that by collecting 28 takeaways — 10 more than it had all of last year — to match the NFL’s third-highest total. The Packers haven’t forced this many turnovers since 2011, when they had 38 takeaways.

That’s not the only area in which the defense has made strides. Green Bay is allowing just 19.1 points per game to rank sixth in the league in scoring defense. The Packers haven’t finished a season among the top six teams in scoring defense since their 2010 title run, when they yielded just 15 points per game to rank second. The Packers are giving up 312.1 yards per game for the league’s seventh-best total. That also puts them on pace for their highest season-ending rank since 2010, when they finished fifth in total defense. “We’re all working together, and we’ve just got some nice playmakers,” linebacker and rookie second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper said.

The Packers have given up as many as 20 points just once in their last six games, a 34-31 defeat at Detroit on Dec. 5. That is the only time Green Bay has lost during that stretch. Whether this kind of success can carry over to the playoffs remains uncertain. The Packers’ shutout performance came against a New Orleans offense that was starting rookie fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler at quarterback in place of the injured Derek Carr and was missing five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara.

Green Bay’s defense faces a much tougher task Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings (13-2), who beat the Packers 31-29 at Lambeau Field on Sept. 29. This will mark the first time in the series’ 64-year history that both teams had at least 11 wins when they face off. The Packers are eager to see what they can do against another team headed for the playoffs as their defense gears up for another postseason. “We can do whatever we want to do,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “We write our own story at the end of the day. We’ve just got to keep on building.”

What’s working

Green Bay outrushed New Orleans 188-67 and improved its season total to 2,209 yards rushing. The Packers haven’t rushed for that many yards in a season since 2003, when they had 2,558… The pass rush has produced 16 sacks over Green Bay’s last four games… Green Bay is outscoring teams 102-34 in the first quarter… The Packers didn’t give up a sack Monday and have allowed just five over their last eight games. That represents the fewest sacks the Packers have given up over an eight-game stretch within a single season since 2004.

What needs work

Penalties remain a bit of an issue. The Packers were penalized six times for 60 yards.

Stock up

Love has thrown eight touchdown passes without an interception over his last five games… RB Josh Jacobs has run for a touchdown in six straight games. His 13 TD runs this season are a career high… K Brandon McManus made field goals from 55 and 46 yards to improve to 16 of 17 this season. His 55-yarder was a season long… S Zayne Anderson had his first career interception in his first career start… DL Brenton Cox Jr. has three sacks over his last four games.

Stock down

There really aren’t any candidates for this category, considering the Packers produced their biggest victory margin in a decade.

Key number

30 – The Packers have scored at least 30 points in each of their last five games. That represents the second-longest string of games with 30-plus points in franchise history. Green Bay had seven such straight games in 1963.

Next steps

The Packers close the regular season with two divisional games, visiting Minnesota on Sunday before hosting the Bears (4-11). Green Bay is 1-3 against NFC North opponents this season.

Packers player to watch

QB Jordan Love had a roller-coaster performance against Minnesota earlier this season, going 32 of 59 for 389 yards with four touchdown passes to establish career highs in all four categories, but he also matched his career most with three interceptions as Green Bay’s comeback from a 28-0 deficit fell short. Love has eight TD passes and no interceptions over his past five games.

Vikings player to watch

RB Aaron Jones, who will face his former team for the second time, has 440 total yards and four TDs from scrimmage over the past five games. Though the 30-year-old is averaging a career-low 4.5 yards per rush, he topped the 1,000-yard mark last week for the fourth time in eight seasons. Jones has 233 carries, three short of his career high. He had 139 total yards from scrimmage against the Packers in Week 4, his second-highest total of the season.

Key injuries

Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) has missed five straight games… Packers S Javon Bullard (ankle) has missed two consecutive games… Packers LB Quay Walker (ankle) and S Evan Williams (quadriceps) didn’t play against the Saints on Monday night and were listed as non-participants on Wednesday’s estimated injury report in lieu of a formal practice… Packers WR Christian Walker (knee) exited the game on Monday night, but coach Matt LaFleur said the initial diagnosis of a bruise was promising for his availability this week… Vikings LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) has returned to practice after a four-game absence… Vikings S Harrison Smith (foot) missed the previous game and was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s estimated injury report in lieu of a formal practice, but coach Kevin O’Connell sounded optimistic about his availability this week… Vikings backup DL Jalen Redmond (concussion) was held out against the Seahawks last week. He was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday’s estimated injury report.

Series notes

This marks the first time in the 64-year history of the rivalry that both the Packers and Vikings have had 11 or more wins going into the game… The all-time series in Minnesota is tied at 31-all… The road team has won the past three games in this matchup… The Vikings have won five of the past eight meetings overall and five of the eight matchups at U.S. Bank Stadium since it opened in 2016.

Stats and stuff

The Packers have won nine of their past 11 games to clinch a playoff spot. They’ve been eliminated from NFC North title contention… The Packers have 2,209 rushing yards this season, which represents their highest total since 2003, when they had 2,558… Packers RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for a TD in six straight games. He’s one away from the franchise record set by Paul Hornung, who scored in seven straight games in 1960… Jacobs is the fifth player in Packers history to reach the 1,200-yard mark, following Jim Taylor (1961-62), Dorsey Levens (1997), Ahman Green (2001-03) and Ryan Grant (2008-09)… The Packers offense has allowed three sacks and committed just two turnovers over their past five games. This is the first time since the 1970 merger that the Packers have allowed three or fewer sacks and have committed two turnovers or fewer over a five-game span… Keisean Nixon is the first Packers DB with multiple sacks and multiple forced fumbles in a season since Tramon Williams in 2013… The Vikings have won eight straight games and are tied with Detroit for the NFC North lead and control of the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. If they lose to the Packers, the Lions clinch the division. If they win, they’ll set up a division title game in Detroit in Week 18… O’Connell is the third coach in NFL history to win at least 13 games in two of his first three regular seasons, joining LaFleur (2019-21) and San Francisco’s George Seifert (1989-91)… Vikings QB Sam Darnold is the seventh QB in NFL history with 13 or more wins as a starter in his first season with a team, following Dak Prescott (2016, Cowboys), Peyton Manning (2012, Broncos), Steve McNair (2006, Ravens), Ben Roethlisberger (2004, Steelers), Earl Morrall (1968, Colts), Daryle Lamonica (1967, Raiders)… Vikings WR Justin Jefferson has 92 receptions for 1,387 yards. In just his fifth season, Jefferson can become the fifth player in NFL history with three seasons of 100 receptions and 1,500 yards, joining Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison, Antonio Brown and Julio Jones… Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel had two sacks against the Seahawks to raise his career high to 11 for the season. He has joined Jason Taylor (2006, Dolphins) as the only players in NFL history since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 with 10-plus sacks and at least two interception returns for touchdowns in the same season. Taylor was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season… The Vikings lead the NFL with 22 interceptions. Their team record is 27, set in 16 games in 2003.

Week 17 NFL Schedule

Wednesday, December 25

Kansas City Chiefs 29, Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Baltimore Ravens 31, Houston Texans 2

Thursday, December 26

Seattle Seahawks 6, Chicago Bears 3

Saturday, December 28

Los Angeles Chargers 40, New England Patriots 7

Denver Broncos 24, Cincinnati Bengals 30

Arizona Cardinals 9, Los Angeles Rams 13

Sunday, December 29

New York Jets 14, Buffalo Bills 40

Las Vegas Raiders 25, New Orleans Saints10

Indianapolis Colts 33, New York Giants 45

Dallas Cowboys 7, Philadelphia Eagles 41

Carolina Panthers 14, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48

Tennessee Titans 13, Jacksonville Jaguars 20

Miami Dolphins 20, Cleveland Browns 3

Green Bay Packer 25, Minnesota Vikings 27

Atlanta Falcons 24, Washington Commanders 30

Monday, December 30

Detroit Lions at 30, Francisco 49ers 24

Sunday, December 22, 2024

2024 Week 16 — Saints at Packers

Packers continue their push toward playoffs as they host the injury-riddled Saints

Associated Press

New Orleans (5-9) at Green Bay (10-4)

Day / Time / TV: Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ABC, ESPN

Series record: Packers lead 18-10

Last meeting: Packers won 18-17 at Green Bay on Sept. 24, 2023.

Last week: Saints lost 20-19 at home to the Washington Commanders. Packers won 30-13 at Seattle.

Saints offense: overall (15-T), rush (11), pass (20), scoring (18)

Packers offense: overall (4), rush (4-T), pass (11), scoring (7)

Saints defense: overall (30), rush (27), pass (28), scoring (13-T)

Packers defense: overall (10), rush (9), pass (15), scoring (8)

Turnover differential: Saints plus-1, Packers plus-10

Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers don’t want to have to wait as long as they did last season to clinch a playoff berth. The Packers (10-4) have performed well enough that a little help could enable them to earn a postseason invitation on Sunday. If that doesn’t happen, the Packers still can wrap up a playoff spot by beating the injury-riddled New Orleans Saints (5-9) on Monday night at Lambeau Field. Last season, the Packers sneaked into the playoffs only after beating the Chicago Bears on the final Sunday of the regular season. “It definitely is a better position than having to try and win every game and fight for that last position not knowing what might happen,” Love said. “I think we did a better job this season winning some games early on and putting ourselves in a better position.”

The Packers have won eight of their past 10 games, with the only two losses in that stretch coming against the Detroit Lions. Green Bay remains behind Detroit and Minnesota in the NFC North. A loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons coupled with a loss or tie by either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks would lock up a playoff spot for the Packers before Monday night’s game. The Falcons host the New York Giants, the Rams visit the New York Jets and the Seahawks host the Vikings on Sunday.

New Orleans’ long-shot chances of reaching the playoffs could vanish by the time Monday’s game begins. The Saints’ only path to the postseason is to win all their remaining three games while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Falcons lose their final three games. Tampa Bay plays at Dallas on Sunday night. The Saints could be playing this game without usual starting quarterback Derek Carr and five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara. Carr has an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand that prevented him from playing in the Saints’ most recent game — a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders — though Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi hasn’t yet ruled him out for Monday. Kamara left the Commanders game with a groin injury that likely will sideline him for this matchup. If Carr is unable to play, the Saints would turn to Spencer Rattler, who came off the bench and led four straight scoring drives in the loss to the Commanders. “We have the players that we have,” Rizzi said. “Everybody across the league right now is dealing with injuries, some more than others. I think the best teams in the league are the teams that are able to overcome those, regardless of the position. That’s really how we’ve been approaching it.”

Love’s recovery

After struggling to protect the football during the first half of the season, Love has thrown seven touchdown passes without an interception over his past four games. Love had thrown 11 interceptions in his first eight starts of the season.

On the edge

Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon could make his 2024 season debut on Monday night. He has been back at practice for about two weeks since recovering from an offseason Achilles tendon rupture. Rizzi said Kpassagnon was nearly activated for last week’s game against Washington. Kpassagnon, 30, is in his eighth NFL season. He played in all 17 games in a reserve role in 2023 and had 3½ sacks.

Cooper coming up big

Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper’s performance in a 30-13 victory at Seattle on Sunday earned him NFC defensive player of the week honors for the second time this season. The second-round pick from Texas A&M had a sack, intercepted a pass and had two tackles for loss and two passes defended. Cooper is the first Packer since Clay Matthews in 2010 to be selected as the NFC defensive player of the week multiple times within the same season.

Ground reinforcements

With Kamara’s status up in the air, the Saints signed former LSU star running back and Louisiana native Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire recently was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he has spent his entire NFL career since being drafted in 2020. Edwards-Helaire, who hasn’t played this season, started the week on the practice squad. He joins a position group with the Saints that also includes Kendre Miller, former Packer Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims on the active roster.

Jacobs’ fast starts

The Packers are outscoring opponents 95-34 in the first quarter, thanks in part to Josh Jacobs’ productivity early in games. Jacobs has run for 688 yards in the first half of games, which represents the most first-half rushing yards by any NFL player. Kamara ranks second with 601 first-half yards rushing. He has 235 yards rushing in the opening drive of games, the most by any Packer since at least 2000. Jacobs has rushed for 1,147 yards overall to rank third in the league, behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (1,688) and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (1,474) entering Week 16.

Saints player to watch

DE Chase Young is coming off a two-sack performance against the Commanders, who selected him out of Ohio State with the second overall pick in the 2020 draft. Green Bay’s offensive line has done a nice job of pass protection this season, but Young is talented enough to cause Packers QB Jordan Love plenty of headaches.

Packers player to watch

LB Edgerrin Cooper was the NFC defensive player of the week for the second time this season after getting eight tackles, picking off a pass and forcing a fumble with a sack against Seattle. The rookie second-round pick from Texas A&M is the first Packer to be the NFC defensive player of the week twice in the same season since Clay Matthews in Green Bay’s 2010 Super Bowl championship season.

Key matchup

Saints offensive line vs. Packers pass rush: Green Bay’s pass rush has been inconsistent, but the Packers are coming off a seven-sack performance against Seattle. Kingsley Enagbare led the way with two sacks. QB Spencer Rattler could start for New Orleans in place of an injured Derek Carr and the Saints won’t have much of a chance if he doesn’t have time to throw. The Saints are allowing just two sacks per game, putting them in a tie for eighth in the league.

Key injuries

Carr has an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand, although the Saints have said he will not be placed on injured reserve and that his status will be updated day to day… RB Alvin Kamara has a groin and adductor injury. Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi updated Kamara’s status Thursday by saying, “to be honest, it doesn’t look great for this week… Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) has missed four straight games, but he practiced fully Thursday… Packers S Javon Bullard (ankle) didn’t play against the Seahawks. … Packers LB Quay Walker left the Seahawks game with an ankle issue.

Series notes

The Packers rallied from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Saints last season in Love’s first home start. Green Bay made its comeback after Carr left with a shoulder injury. New Orleans’ Blake Grupe missed a 46-yard field goal that would have put the Saints ahead with 1:05 remaining. Green Bay’s Rashan Gary had three sacks in that game… This is the first time the Packers and Saints have met at Lambeau Field in December or later. The Packers’ lone December home game against the Saints came in Milwaukee in 1973. … The Packers have won three of their past four home matchups with the Saints. Six of the past seven Packers-Saints matchups at Lambeau Field have been decided by single digits.

Stats and stuff

The Packers have won eight of their past 10 games and can clinch a playoff berth before Monday’s game with a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons coupled with a loss or tie by either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Even if the Packers don’t get that help on Sunday, they can clinch a playoff spot by beating the Saints… Rattler came off the bench and passed for 135 yards and a TD without an interception during the second half of last week’s game and led New Orleans on four straight scoring drives totaling 19 points… Rattler went 0-3 as a starter earlier this season… Saints QB Jake Haener made his first-career start last week but was replaced after the first half… Kamara had his 25th TD receiving last week to become the fourth player in NFL history (joining Marshall Faulk, Lenny Moore and Christian McCaffrey) with at least that many TD receptions and 50 or more TDs rushing (Kamara has 60). Kamara left last week’s game 7 scrimmage yards short of his fourth-career 1,500-yard season… Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling had team-high 64 yards receiving last week and has 50 or more yards receiving in four of his past five games. Valdes-Scantling had 123 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 TDs in 59 games with Green Bay from 2018 to 2021… Saints DE Cameron Jordan had two sacks last week, his 25th career multiple sack game. Jordan ranks second among active players with 120½ sacks… Saints DE Carl Granderson had a sack last week and has 5½ sacks in 2024… Saints DL Bryan Bresee has a sack in three of his past four games… LB Demario Davis led the Saints with a season-high 14 tackles and had two tackles for loss and a sack in Week 15. Davis has 104 tackles in 2024, his eighth straight 100-tackle season… Saints S Tyrann Mathieu had his seventh career forced fumble last week… This is the 32nd straight year the Packers have played on “Monday Night Football.” That represents the longest such streak in “Monday Night Football” history… Love has thrown seven touchdown passes without an interception over his past four games. Love was picked off 11 times in his first eight starts of the season… The Packers have scored at least 30 points in each of their past four games… Green Bay has allowed only five sacks over its past seven games. That’s the first time the Packers have yielded so few sacks in a seven-game stretch within the same season since 2007… Packers S Xavier McKinney has seven interceptions to tie Detroit’s Kerby Joseph for the NFL lead. His seven interceptions are the most by a Packer since Hall of Famer Charles Woodson had seven in 2011… Packers RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for 1,147 yards to rank third in the NFL entering Week 16, behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (1,688) and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (1,474)… Packers TE Tucker Kraft has seven touchdown catches. The only tight ends with more are Baltimore’s Mark Andrews and San Francisco’s George Kittle, with eight each… Gary has had a sack in four of his past five games.

Week 16 NFL Schedule

All times Central

Thursday, December 19

Denver Broncos 27, Los Angeles Chargers 34

Saturday, December 21

Houston Texans 19, Kansas City Chiefs 27

Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Baltimore Ravens 34

Sunday, December 22

New York Giants 7, Falcons 34

Arizona Cardinals 30, Carolina Panthers 36

Detroit Lions 34, Chicago Bears 17

Tennessee Titans 30, Indianapolis Colts 38

Los Angeles Rams 19, New York Jets 9

Philadelphia Eagles 33, Washington Commanders 36

Cleveland Browns 6, Cincinnati Bengals 24

Minnesota Vikings 27, Seattle Seahawks 24

Jacksonville Jaguars 14, Las Vegas Raiders 19

New England Patriots 21, Buffalo Bills 24

San Francisco 49ers 17, Miami Dolphins 29

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Dallas Cowboys 26

Monday, December 23

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, 7:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC

Friday, December 20, 2024

1967 New Orleans Saints Media Guide

From the 1967 New Orleans Saints Media Guide: In 1966, Jim Taylor did not sign a one-year contract and played out his option with the Green Bay Packers. In July 1967, Taylor signed four one-year contracts to play with the expansion Saints. His former partner in the Green Bay backfield, Paul Hornung, was placed on the list of the 1967 expansion draft, along with C-LB Bill Curry and FB-LB Phil Vandersea. A pinched nerve in Hornung’s neck prevented him from ever suiting up for New Orleans, and he retired in training camp. Taylor himself would also retire before the 1968 season began following training camp. Hornung’s page in the Saints Media Guide is basically a summary of his entire playing career in Green Bay. Also shown is the Packers preview page for the upcoming 1967 season. They, of course, were NFL champions that year.
.
#GreenBayPackers #GreenBay #Packers #GoPackGo #LambeauField #NFL #LoveGB #NOvsGB #NewOrleans #Saints #WhoDat

Sunday, December 15, 2024

2024 Week 15 — Packers at Seahawks

Packers getting healthier as season winds down

Associated Press

Green Bay (9-4) at Seattle (8-5)

Day / Time / TV: Sunday, 7:20 p.m. CST, NBC

Series record: Green Bay leads 15-9

Last meeting: Nov. 14, 2021, Packers win 17-0 at Lambeau Field.

Last week: Packers lost 34-31 to the Detroit Lions. Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 30-18.

Packers offense: overall (6), rush (5), pass (11), scoring (7)

Packers defense: overall (13), rush (9), pass (21), scoring (9)

Seahawks offense: overall (13), rush (27), pass (3), scoring (15)

Seahawks defense: overall (18), rush (21), pass (10), scoring (11)

Turnover differential: Green Bay +9; Seattle -4 (22)

While other teams around the NFL are seeing their injury lists grow as the season winds down, the Green Bay Packers appear to be getting healthy at just the right time. Not only is quarterback Jordan Love looking like himself after dealing with early-season left knee and groin injuries, but the rest of the roster is getting better, too. “I think every team that can realize their potential needs to be as healthy as they can be. And injuries are a part of this business,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “It is what it is in terms of the next man up, but obviously, you want the guys that are your starters to be available — especially as you get closer to the end of the year.”

Love certainly has been rolling of late, completing 67.1% of his passes for 904 yards with six touchdowns and one interception (118.8 passer rating) over the past four games, owing some of his hot streak to simply being healthy again. “The name of the game is trying to stay as healthy as possible, especially late into the season,” Love said. “There’s definitely injuries that stack up and guys being out. To have everybody relatively healthy and to be able to have our top guys out there would be huge for us.”

The Packers (9-4) head into their Sunday night matchup with the Seahawks (8-5) in Seattle with only one player having been unable to take part in Wednesday’s practice at all: safety Javon Bullard. LaFleur said Bullard is week-to-week with an ankle injury he suffered in the team’s Dec. 5 loss at Detroit.

The Packers got full participation from Jaire Alexander, who has missed four of the team’s last five games with a knee injury suffered at Jacksonville on Oct. 27, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who has missed the last two games with a concussion he suffered against San Francisco on Nov. 24. Although Alexander had practiced on a limited basis in recent weeks, he has missed the last three games and pulled himself out of the team’s Nov. 17 win at Chicago because of his knee. Getting Alexander back to face Seahawks receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba would give a major lift to the Packers’ pass defense, currently ranked 21st with 222.2 yards per game allowed. “When I was watching him, he looked like he was moving around well, and we’ll just see how it transpires throughout the course of the week,” LaFleur said. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to roll.”

LaFleur said Doubs and rookie safety Evan Williams, who left the Packers’ 34-31 loss to the Lions because of a concussion, are still in the concussion protocol. But Williams was able to practice on a limited basis. Meanwhile, tight end Luke Musgrave, who hasn’t played a snap since injuring his left ankle during a a Sept. 29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, has been designated for return from injured reserve. Musgrave took part in practice for the first time since undergoing surgery in early October to repair a torn ligament in the ankle. He said he only did individual drill work Wednesday, making it unlikely he would be activated this week. “Just going to ease back into it, but I feel good,” Musgrave said. “Still getting the cutting back, but overall, it feels good.”

Love heats up

When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay’s final eight games.

During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt.

“I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.”

Passing fancy

Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory.

It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage.

“It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.”

The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers.

Fashion forward

Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media.

As for the Seahawks, they’ll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan.

“I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me,” he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.”

Packers player to watch

Josh Jacobs, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers in the offseason, looks to be matching his 2022 All-Pro form. That year he rushed for 1,653 yards with 12 TDs for the Raiders. This season he’s run for 1,053 yards and 11 scores. He’s on a roll, with three-touchdown games in two of his past three and he’s scored eight times total over four games.

Seahawks player to watch

Zach Charbonnet had a career-high 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the victory over the Cardinals last week. Carbonnet was pressed into starting duty with Kenneth Walker sidelined by ankle and calf issues. Charbonnet needs 63 yards rushing to surpass his total last year (462) as a rookie. He needs three more rushing scores to become the first Seahawks player with at least 10 since Marshawn Lynch in 2014.

Key matchup

The Packers offense overall appears to have the upper hand with the steady leadership of quarterback Jordan Love, so Seattle’s chances may hinge on how Green Bay’s pass defense holds up against Geno Smith and the Seahawks passing offense, ranked third in the league. Smith has thrown for 3,474 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, but he’s also got 12 interceptions.

Key injuries

Packers tight end Luke Musgrave participated in individual drills this week. CB Jaire Alexander (knee), who has missed the past three games, and WR Romeo Doubs (concussion), who has missed the past two, practiced this week and appear close to returning. LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), who missed the past three games, also returned to practice this week.

Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III missed the game against the Cardinals because of an ankle/calf injury. He’s run for a team-best 542 yards and seven TDs this season. He was listed as questionable for the game. Cornerback Tre Brown, who was inactive against the Cardinals because of a hamstring injury, is also questionable.

Series notes

The Seahawks have won the past three at home, but the Packers have won four of the past five since 2015. Three of those victories came at Lambeau Field, including the latest one on Nov. 14, 2021. Green Bay blanked Seattle 17-0. The Packers have not visited Seattle since 2018.

Stats and stuff

The Seahawks, coming off a 30-18 road win over Arizona, have won four straight and are atop the tight NFC West… The Packers can technically clinch a playoff berth this weekend but it involves two unlikely scenarios. According to the NFL, the Packers can clinch with a win in Seattle, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers… The Packers’ most recent win in the series against the Seahawks was 17-0 at Lambeau Field in 2021. That’s the only shutout during coach Matt LaFleur’s six-year tenure… LaFleur has won 10 in a row against the NFC West… Over the course of a four-game winning streak heading into Sunday night’s game, the Seahawks have allowed an average of just 15.5 points a game… The Packers are No. 1 with 97 points off turnovers while Seattle has the eighth-most giveaways… Green Bay’s 34-31 loss to Detroit last Thursday night averaged 17.29 million viewers, making it the most-streamed NFL regular-season game in history and Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched game since exclusively taking over the prime-time package in 2022… Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba needs 89 yards for his first career 1,000-yard season… The Packers have won 10 consecutive regular-season games against NFC West foes… The Packers have won seven of their past nine games… Seattle QB Geno Smith needs one 300-yard game to tie Russell Wilson for single-season franchise record with five… Green Bay has two wins against teams with winning records: the Texans (8-5) and Rams (7-6), both of which were reeling from injuries, while losses have come against Detroit (12-1; twice), Minnesota (11-2) and Philadelphia (11-2).