SEATTLE – The Packers got their first win in Seattle in 16 years by a score of 30-13 Sunday night at Lumen Field to improve to 10-4 on the season.
Here are five takeaways from the big road triumph:
- A fast start goes a long way in this building.
The Packers came out like gangbusters, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the game sandwiched around a defensive stop that featured a third-down sack – one of seven sacks by the defense on the night.
Running back Josh Jacobs was the workhorse early on, getting the ball via run or screen pass on nine of the 10 plays on the opening TD drive, which he finished with a short plunge. He was on his way to 136 total yards from scrimmage with more than 80 in the first quarter.
Then receiver Romeo Doubs, back after missing two games with a concussion and wearing a Guardian cap over his helmet for extra protection, concluded the second drive by catching a slant and dragging two defenders into the end zone.
“That was awesome,” QB Jordan Love said. “That’s something we really haven’t seen out of Rome, running guys over and putting the team on his back. It shows how much he loves it and is willing to fight to get those extra yards, and get that touchdown.”
The Packers were up 14-0 and in complete command.
“I like our guys’ confidence,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “We came out and started fast. We knew that was going to be a key to the game to take the crowd out of it the best we could.”
Green Bay hadn’t scored two TDs on its first two possessions since the late November win over Kansas City last year, and it was the polar opposite of the punt-punt-fumble start to the Week 14 loss at Detroit the previous Thursday night.
“That is definitely something we’ve focused on all week, talked about all week, is starting fast,” Love said. “That’s when we’re at our best is starting fast, getting the ball, putting up points and going from there.”
- A couple of key players returned to the lineup and made their presence felt.
First was Doubs, who also scored the game’s final touchdown on a diving catch in the back of the end zone. He had three receptions for 40 yards and both of Love’s TD tosses, as the QB was an efficient 20-of-27 for 229 yards and a 123.8 passer rating.
“How ’bout that catch, that second touchdown catch?” LaFleur said, referring to Doubs. “That was a big-time play. I love how Rome works. He’s been pretty consistent for us, and he comes through. It was cool to have him back out there.”
The other was rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who had missed the last three games with a hamstring injury but stood out both as a pass rusher and in coverage all nighgt.
Cooper finished with five tackles, a sack, two QB hits, and two passes defensed to go with his first career interception, which came in the fourth quarter and preceded the second Doubs TD that put the game away. Cooper’s performance was timely as well, with the Packers losing fellow linebacker Quay Walkerto an ankle injury during the game.
“He’s just a helluva player,” LaFleur said of Cooper, while also crediting defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with how he’s using Cooper, and position coach Anthony Campanile for how he’s coached him and all the linebackers. “It’s been fun to watch and witness his growth.
“Coop’s a helluvan athlete, man, and he’s just scratching the surface of what he can become in this league.”
