If you’ve spent any time watching the NFL over the last twenty years, you know that whenever the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks share a field, logic basically goes out the window. It’s a matchup that consistently produces the kind of "did that really just happen?" moments that stay in your head for decades. Honestly, most rivalries are built on proximity or division standings, but this one? It’s built on pure, unadulterated chaos.
The latest chapter in the Green Bay vs Seattle saga took place recently on August 23, 2025, during the preseason finale at Lambeau Field. Now, I know what you’re thinking—it’s just preseason. But for these two teams, even a warm-up game carries that weird energy. Green Bay walked away with a 20-7 win, but the real story wasn't the score; it was the glimpse into the future. We saw Seattle’s rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe get a heavy workload, finishing 13-of-24 for 148 yards and a score, while Green Bay’s Malik Willis and Taylor Elgersma held down the fort with Jordan Love sidelined by a minor injury.
The History of the Green Bay vs Seattle Rivalry
To understand why people get so hyped for this game, you have to look back at the record books. Currently, Green Bay holds a 16-9 lead in the overall series (that jumps to 21-9 if you include older stats, but the 16-9 mark is the modern standard used by most experts). They’ve also been dominant in the postseason, winning three out of their four playoff meetings.
But the numbers don't tell the whole story. The story is in the heartbreak.
"We Want the Ball and We're Gonna Score"
Think back to the 2003 NFC Wild Card game. It’s overtime at a frigid Lambeau Field. Matt Hasselbeck, the former Green Bay backup turned Seattle starter, wins the coin toss. He looks the referee dead in the eye and tells the whole world over the stadium speakers: "We want the ball and we're going to score!"
He didn't.
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Instead, he threw a pick-six to Al Harris, who sprinted 52 yards for the walk-off touchdown. It remains one of the most embarrassing—and iconic—moments in playoff history. You just can’t script that kind of confidence-turned-catastrophe.
The 2012 "Fail Mary"
If you want to see a Packers fan’s blood pressure rise, just whisper the words "Golden Tate." The 2012 Monday Night Football game featured replacement refs during a league-wide lockout. On the final play, Russell Wilson heaved a Hail Mary. Tate and Packers safety M.D. Jennings both came down with it. One ref signaled touchdown; the other signaled interception.
They gave it to Seattle.
The fallout was so massive that the NFL reached a deal with the regular officials just days later. It was the "Intertouchdownception" that changed how the game is officiated.
Breaking Down the Numbers
While the drama gets the headlines, the stats show a clear Green Bay edge.
- Average Score: Green Bay typically averages about 26.9 points to Seattle's 19.
- Recent Streak: Green Bay has won the last few regular-season meetings, including a decisive 30-13 victory at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024.
- The Snow Factor: Whether it's the "Snow Globe Game" in 2008 where Ryan Grant rushed for 201 yards, or the slushy 2021 shutout in Green Bay, the weather almost always plays a character in this play.
The 2014 Nightmare in Seattle
We have to talk about the 2014 NFC Championship. Honestly, it might be the most painful loss in the history of the Green Bay franchise. Up 16-0 at halftime and 19-7 with just over two minutes left, the Packers were essentially booking flights to the Super Bowl. Then, the wheels fell off.
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A fake field goal touchdown. A muffed onside kick by Brandon Bostick. A miracle two-point conversion where Wilson just lofted a "prayer" across the field. Seattle won 28-22 in overtime. It broke Green Bay’s spirit for years and cemented the idea that no lead is safe in a Green Bay vs Seattle matchup.
What to Watch Moving Forward
As we look at the 2026 landscape, the rivalry is entering a new era. We aren't watching Rodgers vs Wilson anymore. It’s about the young guns.
Green Bay is leaning heavily into the Jordan Love era, while Seattle is in a transition phase under Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks recently showed they can still be explosive, specifically with Rashid Shaheed’s 95-yard kickoff return in early 2026 against the Niners. That kind of special teams' speed is exactly what usually flips the script in these games.
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Specific Insights for Bettors and Fans:
- Home Field is King: In this series, the home team has historically won at a disproportionately high rate. If the game is in Seattle, the 12th Man is worth at least 4-5 points.
- Turnover Margin: Seattle’s recent preseason loss to Green Bay was defined by turnovers (three in the first half). In their historical matchups, the team that wins the turnover battle is 14-2.
- The "Weird" Variable: Always expect a special teams play or a controversial officiating call. It's almost baked into the DNA of the matchup at this point.
If you’re tracking the next scheduled meeting, keep an eye on the late-season flex scheduling. The NFL loves putting these two on primetime because, even when one team is struggling, they always seem to find a way to make it a spectacle.
To stay ahead of the next kickoff, check out the official NFL schedule updates or the Packers’ gameday guide for roster moves. Evaluating the injury reports—especially at the cornerback position—is usually the best way to predict who will handle the vertical threats like Jayden Reed or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.