Green Bay Packers-Seattle Seahawks: Expert Predictions For 2015 NFL Playoff Game

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks — Most experts are predicting the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Green Bay Packers. Reuters/Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers were the conference’s two best teams in the regular season, and it’s only fitting that they’ll face off in the 2015 NFC Championship Game. Even though the No.1 and No.2 seed both won 12 games in 2014, the majority of NFL experts are predicting the same outcome.

The overwhelming opinion seems to be that the Seahawks will defeat the Packers and reach the Super Bowl for a second straight season. The expert predictions fall in line with the betting public. Seattle opened the week as seven point favorites with a moneyline of -280, and both lines have since increased.

Of the 13 experts that were asked to make a pick on ESPN.com, only two predicted a Green Bay victory. Five of eight CBS Sports’ experts picked Seattle, as did the majority of experts at FOX Sports.

It’s not all that surprising that Seattle is the popular choice. Not only did they finish the regular season atop the NFC, but they are the hottest team in the NFL. The Seahawks have not lost since their Week 11 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they’ve been dominant on their current winning streak. All of Seattle’s wins during their recent seven-game stretch have come by double digits.

The game’s location also likely played a role in most expert predictions. The Seahawks are perceived by many to have the best home-field advantage in the NFL because of the “12th man,” and the team has just one loss this season at CenturyLink Field. Green Bay is undefeated at home, but they have a .500 record on the road.

Some might be reluctant to pick Green Bay because of Aaron Rodgers’s health. The quarterback threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns in a playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys, but he was clearly affected by a calf strain. The injury won’t be any better on Sunday, and Seattle has the league’s best defense.

Expert Predictions

Mike Ditka, ESPN: Packers

Merril Hoge, ESPN: Seahawks

Tom Jackson, ESPN: Seahawks

Ron Jaworski, ESPN: Seahawks

Chris Mortensen, ESPN: Seahawks

Adam Schefter, ESPN: Seahawks

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Packers

Jason La Confora, CBS Sports: Seahawks

Dave Richard, CBS Sports Seahawks

Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports: Packers

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Seahawks