THE NY TIMES
Every time the Packers and the Seahawks meet it is like a small family reunion. For starters, Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren once led the Packers to the Super Bowl, and lest anyone forget the impression he left on the city, he will cruise to the game down Holmgren Way. Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks’ quarterback, started his career in Green Bay. His mentor? The Packers’ ageless quarterback Brett Favre, he of the 4,155 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns this season. The last time these teams met in the playoffs, in January 2004, Hasselbeck famously shouted during the overtime coin toss: “We want the ball. And we’re going to score!”
He threw an interception that the Packers returned for the winning touchdown.
Since then, both teams went to work renovating their defenses. The Packers have one of the best cornerback tandems in the N.F.L. in Al Harris, who intercepted the pass from Hasselbeck, and Charles Woodson, along with an active linebacker in A.J. Hawk. The architect of that improved defense is General Manager Ted Thompson, formerly of the Seahawks.
This game could hinge on which revamped defense plays better. The Seahawks’ defense features four Pro Bowl starters in defensive end Patrick Kerney, linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson and cornerback Marcus Trufant. But that same defense allowed 44 points to Atlanta and has played only three playoff teams this season.
::Tullycast:: 