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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Seahawks (13-2) at Packers (3-12)


Packers QB Brett Favre has struggled.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

Series: Packers lead 5-4

The line: Packers by 4 1/2

TV: Fox 28, with Curt Menefee and J.C. Pearson

Radio: KXLY 920-AM, KVNI 1080-AM, with Steve Raible and Warren Moon

COACHES

Seattle: Mike Holmgren, 63-48, 7th season; 138-85 overall, 14th season

Green Bay: Mike Sherman, 56-39, 6th season; 6th overall

FAST FACT

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre has tossed a career-high 28 interceptions en route to a career-low 70.5 passer rating, which ranks 29th in the NFL.

ANALYSIS

Meaningless late-season games have been commonplace for Seattle, but this time it’s the Seahawks who have the luxury of resting starters, while gearing up for the playoffs. Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander figure to play a couple of possessions before donning jackets. Darrell Jackson didn’t make the trip and Walter Jones might sit out. Expect to see a lot of Seneca Wallace, Maurice Morris, Peter Warrick and “Pork Chop” Womack. Defensive starters D.D. Lewis and Marcus Trufant didn’t make the trip and several other key players probably will spend more time on the sideline than in the game. Aside from Alexander’s pursuit of the rushing title (he trails the Giants’ Tiki Barber) and solo possession of the single-season touchdown record (his 27 TDs equal Priest Holmes), most of the storylines revolve around Brett Favre’s and Mike Sherman’s futures. Favre, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in four games, said earlier this week he hasn’t decided if he’ll return, but one Milwaukee-based sportswriter interpreted Favre’s comments as sounding like “someone who was about to play his last game.” If that’s the case, Favre should be able to put up some points against a defense employing numerous backups.

Prediction: Packers 23-17.

INJURIES

Seahawks

Out: WR Darrell Jackson (knee), CB Andre Dyson (ankle), CB Marcus Trufant (back), DE Joe Tafoya (hamstring), S John Howell (hamstring), LB D.D. Lewis (knee).

Probable: WR Bobby Engram (illness), DT Chuck Darby (knee), T Walter Jones (back).

Packers

Out: RB Samkon Gado (knee), LB Robert Thomas (quadriceps), WR Robert Ferguson (knee).

Questionable: CB Mike Hawkins (knee), C Mike Flanagan (hernia), G William Whitticker (concussion).

Probable: TE David Martin (concussion).

Jim Meehan, staff writer