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5 Reasons Why Seattle Seahawks Will Lose 2015 NFC Championship Game

5 Reasons Why Seattle Seahawks Will Lose 2015 NFC Championship Game

Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mr. Rodgers won’t be anywhere near his neighborhood this weekend. As Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers venture into the home of the 12th Man, many neutral fans are already considering the game a mere formality. But in what could be the best game of this postseason, here are five reasons why the ‘Hawks will come crashing back to reality at the hands of the NFC’s best.

5. Russell Wilson Has To Do Too Much

Russell Wilson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. Russell Wilson Has To Do Too Much

Russell Wilson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t think for a second that the intention here is to insult Wilson by calling him a “game manager.” The ultimate backhanded compliment in the NFL refers only to players whose skill set is severely limited, a trait not applicable to one of the most composed young quarterbacks in the game. However, the Packers can drastically increase their chances of forcing a mistake if Wilson is the lone contributor on offense.

4. Eddie Lacy Will Outrun Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Eddie Lacy Will Outrun Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Forget Clay Matthews vs. Russell Wilson. Forget Aaron Rodgers vs. the Legion of Boom. The battle between the two best running backs remaining in the playoffs is the biggest storyline nobody is talking about. The human bulldozer who racks up the most yards will find himself hoisting the conference championship trophy sometime that night. Time of possession will decide the winner, and it’s a stat both schemes hold in the highest stead.

3. Packers’ Pass Rush Will Come To Life

Clay Matthews
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Packers’ Pass Rush Will Come To Life

Clay Matthews
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There is no such thing as dominating a conference championship game. At this point of the season, both teams are incredibly comfortable in any situation. So how do you exploit your opponent? By making things less comfortable, of course. Seattle’s O-line has been its weakest link all year. If Matthews, Julius Peppers and Datone Jones can get Wilson scrambling early and often, incompletions will become sacks and picks as the game wears on.

2. Rodgers Looks About As Gimpy As Last Week

Aaron Rodgers
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rodgers Looks About As Gimpy As Last Week

Aaron Rodgers
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Clearly still nursing some nagging injuries last week against the Dallas Cowboys, a below-perfect Aaron Rodgers still threw for over 300 yards and three scores without great difficulty. He ended the game sporting only bumps and bruises, and one has to assume he’ll be feeling better with a week of practice ahead of him. His opening day debacle in Seattle might as well be a lifetime ago; a healthy Rodgers in January fears no secondary.

1. History

Golden Tate, M.D. Jennings
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

1. History

Golden Tate, M.D. Jennings
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Karmic retribution? Not at all. A new “Fail Mary” won’t bring balance to the universe if history repeats in favor of the Pack. After all, that win was handed to Seattle in the regular season, not one of the biggest games of the year. Still, does anyone think this game won’t come down to the final drive? What’s that thumping noise? Oh, it’s all the accelerated heartbeats in the entire state of Wisconsin. And for once, it’s not the cheese’s fault.

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