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OK, we'll admit it.  There are also two, maybe three reasons the Seahawks could lose to GB.  It's theoretically possible.  But this is the Seahawks' locker room, not the Packers'.  Take the Twinkie outta yer mouth and psych up.  Time for info-tainment.  I refuse not to enjoy a Seahawk Sunday.

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10.  Two Extra Receivers.  Pete Carroll just now said that Tyler Lockett has been promoted to "receiver who returns kicks."  That raises the stakes:  rather than a flanker and a split end, the Hawks have those two plus Lockett and Graham.  Wilson was 32-for-41 last week (!!) and I've been told that he did not have forever to throw.  Against the Packers, he will indeed have forever to throw.  Speaking relatively, as we have learned to do when discussing time.

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9.  The Packers Are Only Favored By Three.  There are only two NFL faves who have a slimmer handicap:  the Redskins' opponent (in Wa DC) and Tom Brady going to Buffalo.  Yes, yes, we know, Egbert.  All Vegas does is split the betting crowd.  We don't see your bank account in seven figures.  Until we do, spare us the cliches.

Which leads to...

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8.  The Packers Are Seriously Flawed.  Notably, "their run defense stinks" according to ESPN's Green Bay beat writer Rob Demovsky.  The Pack gave up 189 yards on the ground to Chicago last week.  I've also been told that Marshawn Lynch, whichever offensive line they've fielded in front of him, has been as good as the Bears have been.  You read these things here first.

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7.  Remember Last Year's Season Opener.  The Seahawks racked up 400 yards and did not benefit from anything even distantly related to bullet point #10 above. ... the Seahawks' X's and O's have had their games against this team.

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6.  Special Teams.  Games between the Seahawks and Packers often come down to a wild-and-woolly 4th quarter.  The death match is often survived via the odd turnover, kick return, or (ahem) onside kick.  Tyler Lockett is good for 0.75 kick return TD's per game.  That is quite transparently a reason the Seahawks can win.

Alternatively, if the Packers take a knee on 4th down every time, that would still be a reason the Seahawks could win.

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5.  Jordy Nelson is gone.  If this were an NFC Championship Game and the Seahawks lost (say) Marshawn Lynch two days before kickoff, the odds line would swing by 22 points.  Okay, so make it 2 points for Nelson.  That's a reason.

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4.  Kam Chancellor is not the only good player we got.  Take away the Brother of Love and I still count 3 Hall of Famers, 5-6 All-Stars and 8 impact players on defense. You would think that a pro football defense toting five All-Stars could still be good, wouldn't you?  I dunno.  Football isn't my thing.

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3.  The Rams probably played better last week than the Packers will Sunday night.  Aaron Rodgers is better than Nick Foles, but it will take something unusual for him to exceed Foles' stats from last week; Foles had THE best QB stats in the Pete Carroll era.  As GM Siegbert Tarrasch said, it's one thing to be a good player.  It's another to play good.  I don't suppose you think Marcus Mariota is actually perfect.  And neither is Aaron Rodgers a guarantee to throw for 350+ in every game; on a particular Sunday half the fantasy points leaders will be stars and half will not.  Point is, don't take Foles' Fantasy as representative of everything Pete Carroll has ever been about.

As to the defensive side of the ball, we put that to rest quite concisely under bullet point #8 above.  Question Dr. D's wisdom at your peril.

And it ain't like the Seahawks lost to the Rams, having the game of their lives, by 28 points.  Leading to ...

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2.  The Seahawks never lose by 28 points.  What is it, one game in the RW3 era the Seahawks lost by more than 7?  And that one, they lost by 9?   Leading to ...

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1.  Russell Wilson's 15 late game-winning drives.  If the Seahawks are down 6 in the 4th, which is a worst-case scenario in the Carroll era, then Russell Wilson is a reason they can win.  He's always been a winner, right?  And here he is, his future meet-and-greets with the Prez on the line.  I'd hate to be Green Bay for this one.  :: shudder ::

Be Afraid,

Dr D

image:  enfu.com