The Green Bay Packers opened 2014 with easily the toughest game on their schedule, on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. The resulting 36-16 loss was not what many expected however, particularly in a game the Packers had circled on their calender all offseason.
"We didn't think it would go like this, but we have a lot of growing to do," said cornerback Tramon Williams.
These were some of the biggest takeaways from the Week 1 defeat:
- Derek Sherrod proved to be a tremendous liability in pass protection filling in for Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga left the game with a left knee injury in the second quarter. Adam Schefter reported Friday that Bulaga tore his MCL, which is discouraging news given Sherrod's struggles to replace him. Sherrod gave up consecutive sacks in the third quarter, the first ended a drive on fourth down, and the second led to a safety that increased Seattle's lead to 22-10.
- Special teams struggled to set the tone early. DuJuan Harris was removed from kickoff returns following multiple returns that didn't make it to the 20 yard line. The Packers defense did force Seattle into a three and out on their opening drive, but Mike Daniels ran into the punter, which led to a field goal for Seattle. Tim Masthay's punts were also inconsistent, with his first traveling only 29 yards.
- Aaron Rodgers was unable to get the ball down the field. In a departure from their conventional offense, the Packers were unable to stretch the field with their receivers. The Seahawks shut down the Packer passing game with stifling coverage and a pass rush that prevented Rodgers from settling in the pocket. Although Richard Sherman did not contribute to the stat line, his coverage effectively took Jarrett Boykin out of the game and cut the field in half.
- Eddie Lacy was unable to get going downhill. Equally as impressive as their pass coverage was Seattle's ability to stop the run. Eddie Lacy fought through contact, but rarely was able to find a seam due to the Seahawks swarming the ball so effectively. Lacy managed only 34 yards on 12 carries, while James Starks was able to find a bit more room, rushing for 37 yards on seven carries.
- Run defense does not look improved in the early going. After all that was made of Green Bay's improvements on the defensive side, stopping the run still proved to be a challenge. Marshawn Lynch ran wild for 110 yards on 20 carries, and Percy Harvin ran for 41 on four. Seattle used a variety of read options and jet sweeps, which caused the Packers all kinds of difficulty. Even when Seattle used more conventional plays, Green Bay's lack of gap discipline allowed them to go for long gains.
- Rough game for the linebackers in coverage. Brad Jones was called for two defensive holding penalties that proved costly in the Packers bid for a comeback. A.J. Hawk was fooled on a play action play in the first half and accidentally picked safety Morgan Burnett, who allowed Percy Harvin to reel in a long gain.
MVP: Jordy Nelson - 9 receptions, 83 yards
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