Week 12 Game Recap: Green Bay Packers 24, Seattle Seahawks 34

What you need to know

Green Bay Packers

The Packers generated four turnovers in the first half, including a defensive touchdown. But the Seahawks came back strongly in the second half to gain the win.

Brett Favre only attempted nine passes in the snowy conditions during the first half, but he ended the game with 36 attempts. He reportedly had a lack of feeling in his pinky and ring finger after being hurt a week ago, but he did not appear to be hampered by the injury. Favre threw deep a number of times and completed a 48 yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver; although most of the yardage came after the catch on that particular play. Favre threw an interception in the first half and two more as he tried to make something happen when trailing late in the game.

Ahman Green scored on a five yard run on the Packers’ opening possession and carried the ball 11 times in the first half, but only saw three more carries during the game. He was involved in the passing game and had six catches in the second half to end the game with a total of 90 yards from scrimmage.

Donald Driver did not have a catch in the first half but he ended the game as the Packers’ leading receiver. He only caught two passes. One was for a 48 yard touchdown with 40 yards coming after the catch. Favre also found him for a 34 yard gain later in the game.

The Packers’ defense intercepted Matt Hasselbeck three times in the first half. They also caused Hasselbeck to fumble and Abdul Hodge recovered the ball and returned it for a 29 yard touchdown. The run defense was unable to stop Shaun Alexander, allowing him 201 yards on 40 carries.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks dominated time of possession in the first half but turned the ball over four times to trail at the interval.

Matt Hasselbeck started the game after missing four weeks with a knee injury. He began very badly with three early interceptions. Hasselbeck then lost the ball after being sacked and it was returned by the Packers for a touchdown. He came back well in the second half, throwing three touchdowns.

Shaun Alexander carried the ball a career-high 40 times for 201 yards. He looked to be cutting well and running hard and did not appear to be slowed by his recent foot injury. Alexander had six runs of over ten yards but was held out of the end zone.

The Seahawks did not rely heavily on the passing game, but still ended with three touchdowns through the air. D.J. Hackett, Darrell Jackson and Jerramy Stevens were responsible for the scores.

What you ought to know

QB Brett Favre, Pass: 22 - 36 - 266 - 1 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Favre only attempted nine passes in the first half in the snowy conditions, but was more active after the break as the snow cleared. Favre had been suffering with a lack of sensation in his pinky and ring finger after sustaining an injury in the previous game, but he quickly showed that he was able to throw without any apparent problems. Favre found Ruvell Martin for a 26 yard gain on the Packers’ opening drive. He threw several deep balls in the game and showed his usual good arm strength. On the Packers’ third possession, Favre was intercepted in the end zone as he tried to find Bubba Franks. He was hit hard by Julian Peterson as he threw on the last drive of the first half, and the ball was almost intercepted. The Packers began the second half well and Favre connected with Donald Driver on a 48 yard touchdown pass, with Driver gaining 40 yards after the catch. Favre also found Driver for a 34 yard gain later in the game. As the game wore on, Favre got more desperate as he tried to bring the team back from a ten point deficit. He was intercepted on two consecutive drives. The first was on a deep pass intended for Chris Francies, and the second was thrown into double coverage as he tried to find Ruvell Martin. Julian Peterson dropped a possible interception as Favre targeted Jennings on the final drive of the game. Favre was sacked at the end of the game and fumbled the ball away.

RB Ahman Green, Rush: 14 - 44 - 1, Rec: 6 - 46 - 0 (6 targets)

Green scored on a five yard run to cap the Packers’ opening drive. He was given 11 carries in the first half as the team tried to dominate the game on the ground in the snowy conditions. Green also recovered a fumble from Favre in the first half. Green was ineffective after his opening score, and only had four gains of more than two yards on the ground from 14 carries. He was involved in the passing game in the second half, catching all six targets for a total of 46 yards.

RB Vernand Morency, Rush: 4 - 8 - 0, Rec: 2 - 31 - 0 (2 targets)

Morency was used to spell Ahman Green on occasion, gaining eight yards from four carries. On the Packers’ third possession, Morency converted a third and four with a 29 yard reception. He was the primary kick returner for the Packers.

RB Noah Herron, Rec: 3 - 21 - 0 (3 targets)

Herron was hurt playing special teams but was back on the field late in the game. He was targeted three times on the Packers’ final drive, gaining a total of 21 yards.

RB William Henderson, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (1 targets)

Henderson caught his only target for a one yard gain.

RB Brandon Miree (1 targets)

Miree was targeted once but was unable to make the catch.

WR Greg Jennings, Rec: 6 - 50 - 0 (8 targets)

Jennings looked healthy after his recent injury issues and played the whole game. He caught Favre’s first pass of the game for a six yard gain. His second target was caught and he did well to evade two tacklers to turn the play into a 17 yard gain and a first down. He again gave a good effort on the Packers’ opening drive of the second half when converting a third down to keep the drive alive. Jennings caught six of his eight targets for a total of 50 yards and four first downs. He was targeted almost as often as Driver, but most of the targets were short passes.

WR Donald Driver, Rec: 2 - 82 - 1 (9 targets)

Driver was Favre’s favorite target on the night and was the main deep threat for the Packers. Favre tried to hit him deep on the Packers’ third drive, but the pass was broken up. His next target would have gained 45 yards, but was dropped. Driver had to go back to try and catch the pass as it did not have quite enough pace on it. Driver’s longest play of the day came on the opening drive of the second half. Favre found him on a slant play and Driver ran away from the defenders to gain 40 yards after the catch and score a 48 yard touchdown. His only other catch came on a third and two play as Favre hit him deep over the middle for a 34 yard gain. Driver would have had one more catch but a 24 yard gain was negated by a penalty.

WR Ruvell Martin, Rec: 1 - 26 - 0 (4 targets)

Martin caught a 26 yard pass on the Packers’ opening possession before being pushed out of bounds at the five yard line. He was targeted in the end zone later in the half, but the ball was uncatchable. He was targeted on third and nine in the second half, but the ball was thrown too low. Favre later threw a desperation pass towards Martin in double coverage, but the ball was intercepted by Kelly Jennings.

TE Bubba Franks, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (3 targets)

Franks was targeted in the end zone on the Packers’ third drive, but the 27 yard pass was intercepted by Kelly Herndon. Franks caught one pass for a nine yard gain and was only targeted three times in the game.

PK Dave Rayner 1 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Rayner had a 28 yard field goal attempt blocked by Craig Terrill. He later made a 34 yarder and converted all three extra point attempts.

GB Rush Defense

The Packers were without MLB Nick Barnett who missed the game with a broken hand. Rookie Abdul Hodge was the replacement. The defense allowed over 100 yards rushing to Shaun Alexander in the first half and failed to improve after the interval. Alexander posted a 200 yard game as the Packers gave up 235 net rushing yards. The run defense allowed six gains of over ten yards.

GB Pass Defense

The Packers capitalized on some bad throws by Matt Hasselbeck early in the game. Charles Woodson had two interceptions and Al Harris had a third. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila then sacked Hasselbeck and caused him to fumble. Abdul Hodge caught the ball and returned it for a 29 yard touchdown. The second half was a different story as Hasselbeck adjusted to the pace of the game. The defense allowed three passing touchdowns and Nick Collins had to leave the game with a hamstring injury. Gbaja-Biamila had to leave briefly as he was suffering with cramp, but he returned after treatment.

QB Matt Hasselbeck, Pass: 17 - 36 - 157 - 3 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 2 - 12 - 0

Hasselbeck returned after missing the previous four games, and he started very badly. His second pass was tipped and then intercepted by Charles Woodson. Al Harris intercepted a pass intended for Deion Branch on the Seahawks’ second drive, and Woodson had his second pick on the following drive as Hasselbeck again looked for Deion Branch. Hasselbeck then began to find his rhythm only to see D.J. Hackett drop a 23 yard pass in the end zone on the Seahawks’ fifth possession. Hasselbeck was sacked later in the half and the ball fell into the waiting hands of Abdul Hodge who returned it for a touchdown. Hasselbeck was almost intercepted in the end zone on the Seahawks’ last drive of the half. He then threw a catchable ball to Jerramy Stevens in the end zone, but Stevens appeared to make little or no effort to catch the ball and it fell incomplete. In the second half, Hasselbeck played much better. He found D.J. Hackett for a 23 yard touchdown on the Seahawks’ second drive of the half and then threw a four yard touchdown pass to Darrell Jackson on the ensuing drive. Hasselbeck’s numbers might have been better, but his receivers dropped nine passes on the night. Jerramy Stevens was the main culprit, dropping two long passes after being hit by defenders. Hasselbeck did manage to find Stevens for a two point conversion and then a three yard score with just over six minutes remaining. Hasselbeck wore a knee brace during the game, but was able to scramble effectively when required.

RB Shaun Alexander, Rush: 40 - 201 - 0 (1 targets)

Alexander broke an 18 yard run on the Seahawks’ second drive and looked to be fully healthy. He fumbled on the following drive but the ball bounced back to him as he lay on the ground. Alexander gained 21 yards on a play later in the half and gained positive yardage on most of his carries. By the half, he had 104 rushing yards on 19 carries. Alexander converted on fourth and one and had nine first downs during the game. He had six gains over 10 yards and his 40 carries was a career high. The team appeared to lean on Alexander more after Hasselbeck started the game so slowly. Alexander almost scored but the Packers made a saving tackle at the three yard line. Hasselbeck did not get Alexander involved in the passing game and he dropped the only pass that was thrown in his direction.

RB Mack Strong, Rush: 3 - 16 - 0, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (3 targets)

Strong carried three times for a total of 16 yards. His last run appeared to have converted on third and eight, but the ball was spotted just short. He was targeted three times in the passing game, catching two for a total of 12 yards and dropping the other.

RB Maurice Morris, Rush: 3 - 6 - 0

Morris carried three times for a total of six yards and one first down. Shaun Alexander had almost all of the carries for the Seahawks.

WR D.J. Hackett, Rec: 5 - 67 - 1 (8 targets)

Hackett caught his first two passes for gains of 15 yards and 12 yards for first downs. He should have caught his third target when Hasselbeck threw an accurate 23 yard pass into the end zone, but Hackett was unable to hold on to the ball. On the Seahawks’ second drive of the second half, Hackett caught an 11 yard pass for a first down. He then ended the drive by making a 23 yard catch in the end zone. He was the Seahawks’ leading receiver on the day, and had just one fewer targets than Deion Branch.

WR Deion Branch, Rec: 4 - 38 - 0 (9 targets)

Branch was heavily targeted in the first half with eight passes being thrown his way. He dropped one pass on a slant play and was the intended target when Hasselbeck was intercepted by Al Harris. Branch was also the target later in the first half when Charles Woodson intercepted the pass. Branch then made a good diving catch for a 17 yard gain; his longest reception of the day. Hasselbeck targeted him deep near the goal line in the first half, but the ball was overthrown. He did catch a 13 yard pass on the Seahawks’ final possession of the half to help set up a field goal. Branch was only targeted once in the second half and could not make the catch.

WR Nate Burleson, Rec: 3 - 17 - 0 (5 targets)

Burleson caught three of his five targets for a total of 17 yards. He converted one first down in the game. On the final drive of the first half Burleson should have caught a ten yard touchdown pass, but the ball slipped through his hands. Burleson was effective in the return game.

WR Darrell Jackson, Rec: 2 - 20 - 1 (7 targets)

Jackson did not get many opportunities in the first half. He was targeted in the end zone on the Seahawks’ sixth drive, but the ball was uncatchable. He then dropped a difficult ten yard pass in the end zone at the end of the half after it was almost intercepted. Hasselbeck looked to Jackson more often in the second half. He dropped one pass before making a 16 yard catch for a first down. Hasselbeck threw a fade to him at the end of the drive and it was caught for a four yard touchdown. Jackson saw one more end zone target but it sailed over his head and was uncatchable.

WR Bobby Engram

Engram was inactive for the game.

TE Jerramy Stevens, Rec: 1 - 3 - 1 (6 targets)

Stevens was plagued by drops. He was the intended target as Hasselbeck was intercepted on the opening possession after the ball was tipped at the line. His next target came in the end zone. The ball appeared to be within reach, but Stevens gave a half-hearted effort and dropped the pass. Hasselbeck went back to him at the start of the second half and found him for what would have been a long gain, but Stevens dropped the ball after he was hit by the defender. He did manage to catch a two point conversion try and then had a three yard touchdown later in the game. He dropped yet another pass in between the two end zone catches as a 25 yard gain was lost after he was hit by a defender.

TE Itula Mili (1 targets)

Mili was unable to catch the one pass thrown to him.

PK Josh Brown 4 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 14 points

Brown was perfect on the day. He converted four field goals in the first half, from 45 yards, 41 yards, 37 yards and 28 yards, as well as two extra point tries in the second half.

SEA Rush Defense

After allowing a five yard touchdown run to Ahman Green at the start of the game, the run defense tightened up considerably. The Packers were held to 51 net rushing yards on 19 carries.

SEA Pass Defense

Seattle’s pass defense generated four turnovers. The first came when Favre was intercepted by Kelly Herndon on the Packers’ third possession. Favre made further errors as he chased the game late in the second half, allowing Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings to make interceptions. Favre was sacked by Darryl Tapp on the last play of the game, and the Seahawks recovered the resulting fumble. The defense gave up two long plays to Donald Driver, including a 48 yard touchdown.