Training Camp and the Preseason are drawing to a close for the 2025 version of the Green Bay Packers. Today, the Packers will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Playoffs at 3 p.m. CST at Lambeau Field. This will be the seventh time the two teams have met in the Preseason, with the last meeting resulting in a 19-15 Packers victory at Lambeau Field.
The last time these two teams met in the Preseason, it was the final exhibition game just before the Jordan Love era kicked off in Green Bay. Love went 9/15 for 63 yards and a touchdown. While on the ground, Emanuel Wilson led the way with 17 carries for 49 yards. The game would be sealed by a Nate McCrary 1-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter to give the Packers the victory.
Last week, in Preseason game 2, we saw a bit of improvement by the Packers' offense moving the football in their 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Taylor Elgersma led the way through the air, with Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson leading the way on the ground. The game was wrapped up with a great two-minute drill-style offensive attack led by QB Sean Clifford in his only drive of the game, where he wrapped it up in a pretty bow, running in the game-winning touchdown with only 1:31 remaining on the clock of the 4th quarter. The Colts nearly stole the game with 0:13 remaining on the clock when QB Jake Bean hit Jelani Woods at the Green Bay 1-yard line, but the replay official reviewed the play and deemed it an incomplete pass, giving the Packers the victory.
Penalties on offense in the first half ended up being one of the biggest stories of Preseason game 2, especially with rookie second-round pick offensive lineman Anthony Belton, who drew five calls in the first half alone. Hopefully, we will see some improvement in that realm today.
What to see on Offense
Thursday's joint practice got rather heated between the Packers' offense and Seattle's defense. Zach Tom and Anthony Belton were seen throwing haymakers in two different scuffles. Many said the Packers/Seahawks joint practice had the biggest practice scuffle they'd ever seen. Admittedly, if there was going to be a practice scuffle, we can be glad it came between the Packers and another team and not an internal scuffle between teammates. Nonetheless, this will be something to keep eyes on. In a game situation, you would imagine cooler heads would prevail; however, each side will probably make attempts at provoking the other into penalties.
The battle for what will likely be the practice squad quarterback position should be decided with today's game. The job seemed to be Sean Clifford's to lose when training camp started back in July, but Taylor Elgersma has made a case for the position. Last week, Elgersma entered the game after QB2 Malik Willis and took advantage of the extra game time, putting together a pretty decent game. The Packers sort of know what they have in Sean Clifford, but it will be interesting to see how much time behind center each quarterback receives as they make their case for the practice squad position.
Players to watch who will be battling for a roster or practice squad spot:
RB's Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson - Both running backs have shown some promise so far; Johnson seems to lead the way so far. This is
G/C Jacob Monk - Monk has shown flashes here and there, but just hasn't put together a strong showing in-game yet. Today will be a big opportunity for him to show if he's worthy of a roster spot.
T Anthony Belton - The second-round pick isn't in jeopardy of losing his roster spot, but with the penalties he had the previous two games, he will be looking to bounce back with a strong showing today.
WR's Mecole Hardman, Cornelius Johnson, Malik Heath, and Julian Hicks - There's likely only one WR spot on this roster still up for grabs. Maybe two. That battle is likely between Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman. Neither have really had that strong of a camp, but a good game today could change that. Johnson and Hicks are practice-squad hopefuls who will be looking to pull away from the rest of the pack in that category.
What to See on Defense
Seattle's WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his way with the Packers' secondary during joint practice on Thursday. Granted, some likely starters were removed from the practice and won't play today either, but it will be an interesting test to see how the secondary responds. With all the uncertainty around the Packers' CB room, those on the field will surely want to make a statement today; otherwise, get ready for panic surrounding the position heading into the regular season.
One player many of us will have eyes on is Isaiah Simmons. The linebacker has received a lot of praise in training camp practices; however, that praise has not translated to games. Simmons has often looked out of place and confused. Many thought he could be a roster lock just before preseason kicked off, but now, not so much. A strong game today from Simmons could help improve his stock, and we love to see a Brian Gutekunst reclamation project go on to be successful. Let's hope the former 8th overall pick can put together a good showing today and give himself a shot at redemption.
Players to watch who will be battling for a roster or practice squad spot:
DT Nazir Stackhouse - Stackhouse has been impressive in practice and has held his own in-game. Stackhouse's spot on the roster could rely on the Packers not requiring the spot elsewhere, and he could be a risk to let fall through waivers to the practice squad. A solid showing today may convince the team to keep him rostered.
CBs Micah Robinson and Kalen King - These two could be battling for the final CB position on the roster. Both have been fairly impressive so far in camp, but Kalen King may have the edge as far as versatility and experience go. Robinson could take the lead, however, with a big game today.
LB Kristian Welch - Welch was a difficult cut candidate last year, and he will be a difficult one this year as well. Perhaps this could be the year, though, he makes the opening day roster.
Extra Notes
Usually, this would be where I would talk about Special Teams. I don't think that's a concern at all. Brandon McManus has had a stellar camp, enough that they made him a referee for a day, and Daniel Whelan seems to be set for a possible All-Pro season. Long snapper Matt Orzech has no worries about his job either.
So, that leaves Mark McNamee, the Kicker from Canada, by way of Ireland. McNamee has had his ups and downs since arriving, but he should be worth keeping on the practice squad as a development kicker, as the NFL's International Player Pathway Program would permit the team to keep him without him counting as a true practice squad position.
In the End
We can only hope for one thing: leaving the field today, a healthy Packers squad with a few questions answered, ready to take on Detroit week 1 in just 15 days.