Packers shut down Seahawks

GREEN BAY, Wis. – A marquee opener between two NFC heavyweights turned into a defensive slugfest. The Green Bay Packers, not the menacing Seattle Seahawks, landed the momentum-swinging punch.

Green Bay defensive lineman Mike Daniels' strip sack of Russell Wilson deep in Seattle territory in the third quarter set up Ty Montgomery's 6-yard touchdown run on the next play to spark the Packers' 17-9 victory on Sunday.

"This really started with our defense," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "It starts on the line of scrimmage. We were in the backfield a bunch."

The Packers' Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passes for 311 yards and added a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson to make it an eight-point game late in the third quarter.

Rodgers' regular-season streak of passes without an interception ended at a career-high 251. The Seahawks defense reinforced by the return of safety Earl Thomas bottled up receivers from making many big plays and put plenty of pressure on Rodgers.

But the Packers started denting Seattle with runs or quick passes to Nelson, Randall Cobb and Montgomery in the second half, chewing up clock in the process. A 12-play, 53-yard drive that took up more than five minutes ended with Mason Crosby's 40-yard field goal with 8:01 left to make it a two-score game.

"That was a great defense that we went against. They're going to keep everybody kind of in front, they're going to make us go the long way," Nelson said.

Seattle managed only three field goals. Wilson was held to 14-for-27 passing for 158 yards. The Packers held decisive edges in total yardage (370-225) and first downs (26-12). Green Bay held the ball for 39 minutes.

"I was disappointed they were able to be as aggressive up front as they were with their defense," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

The Seahawks thought they scored a first-quarter defensive touchdown, when Nazair Jones intercepted Rodgers and returned it to the end zone. But Seattle was called for two penalties on the return, and cornerback Jeremy Lane was ejected after referee John Parry said he threw a punch during a scrum with Packers receiver Davante Adams.