Packers at Seahawks Week 1 Capsule & Betting Trends

The Green Bay Packers face the Seattle Seahawks in the first game of the NFL regular season on Thursday night with the host Seahawks as 5.5-point betting favorites with a total of 46. It is the first time the Packers have taken on the defending Super Bowl Champions in Week 1.

Kickoff Games Usually Close

This will be the second time in the last four seasons that the Packers have played in the NFL’s primetime regular-season opener (2011 vs. New Orleans). Nine of the last 12 primetime kickoff games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Packers have won each of the last two games they played on Thursday night.

This marks the third straight season that the Packers have traveled to face the defending Super Bowl champions (N.Y. Giants in 2012, Baltimore in 2013), a first for the franchise. This will be the sixth time Green Bay has played in Seattle in the regular season. The Seahawks have won three of the previous five matchups. All but one of the five contests between the Packers and Seahawks has been decided by at least 10 points. The only game between the two that was decided by single digits was the 2012 contest, which Seattle won 14-12. That was the "Fail Mary" game.

What You Need To Know

PACKERS: Have won NFC North in each of past 3 years…QB AARON RODGERS had 104.9 rating in 2013 & is only QB in NFL history with 5 consecutive seasons with 100+ rating. Has 104.9 career rating, highest in NFL history. Is 4-0 as starter on Thurs. with 115.6 rating…Pro Bowl RB EDDIE LACY was 2013 Offensive Rookie of Year. Set franchise rookie records with 1,178 rush yards & 11 rush TDs…WR JORDY NELSON had career-high 85 catches & 1,314 yards last year. WR-PR-KR RANDALL COBB & HOFer GALE SAYERS are only 2 in NFL history with 60+ yard run, 60+ yard catch, 100+ yard KR & 80+ yard PR in 1st 3 seasons…LB A.J. HAWK led team with 118 tackles. LB CLAY MATTHEWS has 50 sacks in 69 career games. Since entering NFL in 2002, LB JULIUS PEPPERS is 2nd in NFL with 118.5 sacks. Since 2010 (incl. playoffs), CB TRAMON WILLIAMS ranks 3rd in NFL with 19 INTs & CB SAM SHIELDS is tied for 4th with 17 INTs.

SEAHAWKS: Won 1st Super Bowl in team history…Pro Bowl QB RUSSELL WILSON had 101.2 rating last year & is only QB in NFL history with 100+ rating in rookie & 2nd season. Is 1 of 4 QBs to win SB in 1st or 2nd season. Incl. playoffs, has 28 wins in 1st 2 years, most ever…RB MARSHAWN LYNCH rushed for 1,257 yards & 12 TDs last year, his 3rd consecutive season with 1,200+ yards & 10+ TDs. Is only NFL player to rush for 1,000+ yards & 10+ TDs in each of past 3 seasons…Seahawks led NFL in 2013 with 39 takeaways, 28 INTs & +20 turnover diff. Seattle was 1st in NFL in points allowed (231), total defense (273.6) & pass defense (172)…Pro Bowl CB RICHARD SHERMAN led NFL with 8 INTs, 1st Seahawk to lead NFL in INTs since 1993. Since entering NFL in 2011, leads NFL with 20 INTs. S EARL THOMAS was 1 of 2 in NFL with 100+ tackles (100), 5+ INTs (5) & 2+ FFs (2). Is only S in past decade to record 100+ tackles, 5+ INTs & 2+ FFs in season. S KAM CHANCELLOR had 93 tackles, his 3rd season in row with 90+ tackles.

TRENDS: Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. Packers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 1. Packers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in September. Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in September. Seahawks are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 vs. NFC. Seahawks are 38-18-1 ATS in their last 57 home games. Over is 4-0 in Packers last 4 games in September. Over is 8-2 in Packers last 10 road games. Under is 5-0 in Seahawks last 5 home games. Under is 7-0 in Seahawks last 7 vs. NFC.

Category : Betting Picks

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