GREEN BAY -- For obvious reasons -- i.e. the Vikings' inept pass defense -- the Packers chose Nov. 11 at Lambeau Field to unveil their "Big 5" spread formation. Three hours and one 34-0 victory over the Vikings later, the Big 5 was the Big Hit in these parts.

"It's mismatches versus time [to throw] is what we're playing against," said Packers quarterback Brett Favre when asked about the five-receiver formation. "If I was a defensive coordinator, I don't know who you stop or who you go in saying, 'OK, this is what we [have to stop].'"

The befuddled Vikings essentially didn't stop anybody. Favre completed 33 passes to 10 receivers for 351 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks. Receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin and Koren Robinson had a combined 20 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

The Big 5 was here to stay. Or is it?

The surprising Packers (13-3) went on to win the NFC North, earn a first-round bye and are now preparing for Saturday's home divisional playoff game against Seattle. But Seattle's swarming defensive front seven threatens to shelve the Big 5 in favor of max protection for the Even Bigger No. 4 (Favre).

Unless, of course, offensive tackles Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton have something to say about it. Especially Tauscher, the right tackle who has drawn the game's key matchup against Seahawks left defensive end Patrick Kerney.

Make that Patrick Kerney, the Pro Bowl starter, first-team All-Pro, co-runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Redskins quarterback Todd Collins' worst nightmare. Kerney was virtually unblockable in last week's 35-14 wild-card victory over visiting Washington.

Simple math explains that if the Packers have five receivers spread wide, there will be no tight ends, fullbacks or running backs to help block Kerney. Big deal, Tauscher says.

"You'd have to have little to no pride to go into a game and say, 'I need a ton of help [blocking],'" Tauscher said. "If you go into a game thinking, 'I need a ton of help,' you're already behind the 8-ball."

Unlike the sculpted Kerney, Tauscher is pudgy, baby-faced and has short arms. But he's also one of the reasons the Packers have allowed the second fewest sacks (169) since 2000, the season Tauscher and Clifton became rookie starters. Only the Colts have allowed fewer sacks (159) since 2000.

Favre loves his offensive line. But he's also publicly saying the heck with pride when it comes to Kerney.

"Patrick Kerney's playing unbelievable," Favre said. "Teams are putting two and three [blockers] on him and he's still just ... he's relentless. He has a bull rush, he has a speed rush, and so you have to focus on him first. You have to put two people on him or you're kidding yourself."

Although Seattle's pass rush is dangerous, there are reasons to believe the Packers actually would welcome the blitzes and outside speed rushes that Seattle hit Washington with. For instance, Favre's favorite pass is the quick slant, which is an absolute blitz killer. And there's also the home-field advantage that will work against the speed rushers.

Washington's offensive line was overwhelmed in part because Qwest Field might be the loudest stadium in the NFL. When it's that loud, offenses snap the ball on a silent count, forcing the linemen to look at the ball before setting up to block. Just imagine Kerney lined up outside your right shoulder and you're having to look over your left shoulder.

"That makes a big difference," Tauscher said. "When you're going to be a half-step slower than the other guy, it puts your body in a position maybe that you don't want to be in. That's why I think playing at home is probably most important to the offensive tackles."

Here's another tidbit to keep in mind when it comes to that Washington game last week: The Redskins' right tackle was Stephon Heyer, a rookie making his sixth overall NFL start and first in the playoffs. Tauscher has started 112 NFL games, including five in the postseason.

In other words, be on the lookout for the postseason debut of the Packers' dangerous "Big 5" formation.