RB Shaun Alexander and QB Matt Hasselbeck haven't played together in almost two months. The Seattle Seahawks (6-4 SU & 3-7-1 ATS) might have to wait a bit longer as the NFC West leaders play the struggling Green Bay Packers (4-6 SU & ATS) on MNF.
Alexander and Hasselbeck have been sidelined with injuries for much of the season. Alexander — who returned last Sunday — suffered a broken foot which had sidelined him for seven weeks, while Hasselbeck has missed the last three starts for Seattle because of a sprained knee.
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Hasselbeck tested the knee Monday in drills and ran the first-team offense efficiently Wednesday, but Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren refused to name Hasselback the starter for tonight's game.
Hasselbeck and Alexander haven't played together since Sept. 24, when the team was 3-0.
Holmgren also expressed doubt about C Robbie Tobeck, RT Sean Locklear,
T Rocky Bernard and WR Bobby Engram. Tobeck was expected to be back after missing last week with the flu, but he developed a hip injury in practice.
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Alexander's return last Sunday provided little help in a 20-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The RB had just 37 yards on 17 carries, and admitted he was feeling tentative making cuts and reading blocks.
His hesitancy was the least of Seattle's problems against the 49ers. Seneca Wallace, Hasselbeck's backup, threw three interceptions — two of which led to 10 San Francisco points — while the defense gave up a season-high 262 rushing yards and 416 overall.
The loss left Seattle atop the NFC West by one game over San Francisco, but Holmgren believes that getting key players back healthy should give them an edge in the coming weeks.
First-year Packers coach Mike McCarthy understands the frustration of mounting injuries. Green Bay is struggling to regroup after a 35-0 loss last Sunday to New England which cost the Packers several key players.
With RB Ahman Green and starting G Mark Tauscher already battling nagging injuries, the Packers also suffered injuries to LB Nick Barnett (broken hand), CB Charles Woodson (shoulder) and LB Ben Taylor (hamstring).
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But the biggest injury was suffered by QB Brett Favre, who hurt his elbow and was unable to regain strength in his arm during the game. Backup QB Aaron Rodgers broke his foot in relief of Favre and will miss the rest of the season.
Favre's injury puts his streak of 251 consecutive starts in jeopardy. He was injured in the first half after getting sacked by Tedy Bruschi. Favre finished 5-of-15 for 73 yards in a dismal game as the Packers totaled just five first downs and 120 yards.
The Packers won last year's meeting against Seattle, 23-17. Favre was 21-of-37 for 259 yards and a TD, while Alexander had 73 yards and a score on 20 carries.
Notable Game Trends:
- Packers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 12.
- Packers are 3-8-2 ATS in their last 13 vs. NFC.
- Packers are 0-5-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Packers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 night games.
- Packers are 4-11-2 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
- Seahawks are 1-5-2 ATS in their last 8 games in Week 12.
- Seahawks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
- Seahawks are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
- Seahawks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in November.
- Seahawks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
