The 4-4-1 Green Bay Packers host the 4-5 Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Both teams are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. This game is a must-win for the Packers, and the Green Bay Packers injury status will go a long way in deciding the winner.
Green Bay Packers Injury Concerns Heading Into Week 11
Football can be a cruel sport. Injuries often rob franchises of their stars, especially as the league enters the depths of the regular season. Head Coach Mike McCarthy has a short week to rehabilitate his battered football team. Green Bay’s 31-12 win against the Miami Dolphins came at a price. Safety Kentrell Brice was forced to leave the game with ankle injury. Nick Perry and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick were also casualties of that game. Brice is listed as doubtful for Thursday night’s game. Patrick is listed as questionable.
Key Injury Worries
Aaron Rodgers has been the most notable player to frequent the trainer’s room since injuring his knee in week one. Rodgers is a top-shelf quarterback and arguably the most talented football player on the Packers’ roster. He is currently listed as probable. It’s difficult to see how the Packers win without Rodgers under center.
Tight end Jimmy Graham is also listed as probable. Graham spent three years as a Seahawks player. Graham hasn’t exactly lit up the league this year. At this stage of the season, it’s a case of ‘all-hands-to-the-decks’.
The Packers have worries on the other side of the football. The cornerback trio of Bashaud Breeland, Jaire Alexander and Kevin King are all listed as questionable. Alexander, a first-round pick has made some nice plays this season, including a pick in the week four win over the Buffalo Bills.
Thursday Night Football
Both the Packers and Seahawks are in a real dogfight to challenge for NFC wildcard race. Coach McCarthy may well have to give his team an extra dose of ‘man-up’ as they aim to hand Pete Carroll a third straight loss. Carroll, however, is 7-1 on Thursday Night Football.
The @Seahawks are 7-1 on Thursday Night Football under Pete Carroll and are 14-2 at home in prime time games dating back to 2010. #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/07VKafHyjn
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) November 12, 2018
Green Bay’s defense, coordinated by Mike Pettine has been playing lights out. Russell Wilson is a mobile signal caller. Wilson will need to apply himself against a Packers’ defence that leads the league with 31 sacks. Nose Tackle Kenny Clark and Kyler Fackrell both have five sacks on the season.
“We’ve just been hungry and trying to fight for opportunities to get after the passer. I’m not surprised by it, though, honestly. It’s not like a big shock to me because I feel like we’ve got good players and I feel like we’ve got some guys that are hungry for opportunities that are trying to make plays”. (Kenny Clark to Packers.com).
Last Word
Thursday Night Football has been fun to watch in 2018. The Packers are fighting to stay healthy. The Seahawks are looking to avoid a three-game skid. Which of these two teams are we going to be sticking the fork in on Friday Morning?
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