Thursday, September 4, 2014, 8:30 pm, NBC

CenturyLink Field

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

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In the Thursday night opener, the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers at home.

The Green Bay Packers were able to win the NFC North in 2013 despite finishing with just an 8-7 record, but were then ousted from the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round. What really hurt the Packers was that they lost star quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first half of the season and looked like a totally different team the rest of the way. The Packers had one of the better offensive teams in the NFL last season, but their defense was 24th against the pass and 25th against the rush.

In the offseason, the Packers lost center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but they were able to re-sign defensive end Mike Neal and linebacker Jamari Lattimore, while also signing veteran defensive end Julius Peppers.

The Seattle Seahawks didn't have the easiest playoff run, but they will be remembered for dominating the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks gave up just 172 passing yards per game in 2013, which was easily the best mark in the NFL. Many believe they will be even better this season now that quarterback Russell Wilson has that extra year of experience under his belt.

The Seahawks lost wide receiver Golden Tate this offseason, but they did re-sign defensive end Michael Bennett and they added defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.

Tony's Pick: Take Seattle

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