|
|
Mike Holmgren knows
how much of an advantage Lambeau Field is for the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks better hope he has some insight on how to stop them, too.
Holmgren and the Seahawks will try to escape one of the NFL's most intimidating
venues with a win when they meet the Packers in an NFC wild-card game.
After finishing the regular season with a 24-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, the Seahawks made the playoffs Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys lost to the New Orleans Saints.
Holmgren, who coached the Packers from 1992-98 and won the Super Bowl in 1996, now must lead his Seahawks into Lambeau Field, where the hosts have lost only once in the playoffs.
Lambeau is also
the place where the Packers beat the Seahawks 35-13 during this past regular
season. The Seahawks' last appearance in the playoffs came following the 1999
season, a 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC wild-card round on Jan.
9, 2000.
``That's a great place -- always will be for me,'' Holmgren said. ``I certainly
trust we'll play better this time.''
Green Bay's first loss in 12 playoff games at Lambeau came last season. The Packers are seeking a measure of redemption, as they probably remain haunted by images of Michael Vick scrambling in the snow in the Atlanta Falcons' 27-7 win last year.
``I'm sure that will kind of resurface this week now that we have another opportunity,'' said Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who lost that night for the first time in 36 starts at home when the temperature was 34 degrees or below.
``But I think this team is going into the playoffs with a better mind-set than last year's team.''
Last year, the Packers were the only team in the league to go 8-0 at home during the regular season, but they went into the playoffs with key injuries.
This year, they lost three games at home, their most since Lindy Infante's last team lost six in 1991, but their only significant injury is cornerback Mike McKenzie's turf toe, which has had three weeks to heal.
Green Bay is also the only playoff team in the NFC to go 4-0 in December. The Packers are riding an emotional high thanks to the Arizona Cardinals' amazing last-second win that knocked the Minnesota Vikings out of the playoffs just when it seemed the Packers would be staying home.
Sunday's game provides a shot at homecoming redemption for Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Favre's backup under Holmgren in Green Bay, Hasselbeck set a Seahawks passing record by throwing for 3,841 yards this season, breaking the mark of 3,678 set by Warren Moon in 1997.
But most of the Seahawks -- only a handful have been to the playoffs -- are looking at it as a chance to bring Seattle its first postseason win in 20 years.
``For Coach and for Matt, it might be something personal for them,'' wide receiver Koren Robinson said. ``For the rest of us, we just look at them as the Green Bay Packers.''
Holmgren said he could think of three things the Seahawks need to do better this weekend: limit turnovers, contain Green Bay running back Ahman Green and improve on special teams.
The Seahawks are also going to have to find a way to contain Favre, who passed for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 22, less than 24 hours after the death of his father.
``He's a unique guy,'' said Holmgren, who always found Favre loose and relaxed before big games. ``He had a way about him that really gave a coach confidence.''
Seahawks right guard Chris Gray will miss Sunday's game due to a torn ligament in his right knee.
An 11-year veteran who started all 16 games this season, Gray was injured in last weekend's win over San Francisco. He will be replaced by versatile backup Floyd Womack, who has started 15 games at various offensive line positions over the past two seasons.
Back To Index Page