Packers‘ receivers vs. the Seahawks’ press coverage
You probably shouldn’t leave the couch once 4:25 p.m. ET hits, because Packers-Seahawks on Sunday Night Football is another dandy — and a potential playoff preview. It will be fascinating to watch how Green Bay’s deep passing game performs against Seattle’s press defense.
This season, Packers receivers rank third in yards per route run (4.80), fourth in yards per catch (14.6) and fourth in threat rate (57.8%) when defenses turn to press coverage looks. At the same time, Green Bay holds just the 24th-best PFF receiving grade in those situations, primarily due to a league-worst 15.3% drop rate against press. Christian Watson is the only Packers receiver ranked inside the top 50 in PFF receiving grade against press among qualified wideouts.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, expect Seattle’s cornerbacks to jab and punch with regularity. The Seahawks have utilized press coverage on 72.3% of defensive snaps, the sixth-highest clip in the NFL, and have been strong in that area. Seattle places ninth in EPA per play, 10th in success rate and 10th in contested catch rate when turning to press coverage. Star cornerback tandem Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen each rank inside the top 20 in PFF coverage grade among cornerbacks with 100 or more press-look snaps.
Will Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontavyion Wicks be able to generate enough separation — and hold onto the ball? Or will Seattle’s defense help propel the team to a fourth straight win? Keep an eye on that receiver-cornerback matchup in this prime-time contest.