FYI: The game tonight will be shown LIVE on NFL Network, at 9pm CST.
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Teams: Green Bay Packers (0-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1-0).
When: Saturday, 9 p.m.
Where: Qwest Field in Seattle.
Broadcast: Television - WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) and NFL Network. Radio - WTMJ-AM (620).
Injury report: Packers - S Atari Bigby (ankle) LB Clay Matthews (hamstring), RB Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring), CB Al Harris (knee), RB James Starks (hamstring) and LB Alex Joseph (thigh) are not expected to play. LB A.J. Hawk (ankle) and DT Justin Harrell (personal) are questionable. Seahawks - OT Ray Willis (knee), OG Chester Pitts (knee) and CB Josh Pinkard (knee) are out; LB Joe Pawelek (hamstring), DT Jonathan Lewis (undisclosed), DT Kevin Vickerson (undisclosed), DE Ricky Foley (hip) and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (personal) are questionable.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
CUTTING EDGE: This will be a severe test of the defensive line's ability to stay on its feet. The Seahawks' offensive line coach, Alex Gibbs, is the architect of the zone blocking system popularized in Denver and used with success against the '97 Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Big men Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson will be put on the ground as often as possible if the Seahawks have their way. It will be a good test for a defensive line trying to dominate in the run game.
DAVID'S KID: Longtime Packers fans will remember the last name of Seattle backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. His dad, David, was a quarterback for the Packers from 1977-'83. Charlie, who was born in Green Bay, was acquired for a second-round pick, which raised some eyebrows around the NFL. In his first performance, however, he lived up to the potential the club believes he has, completing 14 of 22 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Starter Matt Hasselbeck will play the first quarter or so.
NAP TIME: Coach Mike McCarthy probably will hold out CB Charles Woodson, WR Donald Driver and possibly several other veterans to protect them from injury. In the cases of both Woodson and Driver, their absences will allow for backups to get valuable experience. Look for CBs Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood to get a lot of playing time. WRs James Jones and Jordy Nelson will likewise get valuable snaps, mostly with the No. 1 offense.
RETURN ENGAGEMENT: There's a chance Will Blackmon will make his exhibition debut, but there's no guarantee he'll be used on punt returns. He needs the work at safety more than on special teams. If Blackmon doesn't return, the competition to replace him will continue with Tramon Williams, Lee and Nelson among those given shots at returning punts. Sam Shields is still working his way back into good graces after muffing a punt last week.
CARRIES GALORE: This should be a good opportunity for rookie running back Quinn Porter to prove he belongs. With Starks and Lumpkin both sidelined, Brandon Jackson and Porter are the only two backups behind Ryan Grant. Porter had nine carries for 38 yards against Cleveland last week.
Tom Silverstein