Before the season starts, let’s take a look at the Green Bay Packers’ 2017 season, week-by-week, in order to recalibrate expectations for the new 2018 season. As is often the case, the offseason – through its injection of fresh blood and offloading of “old news” – brings optimism and projection for coaches and fans alike.

To best reset expectations, we will walk through each game, examining what players who will be on the team this year did as well as how their play might project into this season.

With that, let’s start with Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.

The box score summary

The Packers beat the Seahawks 17-9 in the opening game of the season. The Seahawks were held to just 225 total yards and 90 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Russell Wilson completed 14 of 27 attempts for 158 yards. The Packers put up 370 total yards and 84 yards rushing on 28 attempts. Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passses for 311 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Opponent’s final 2017 result

The Seahawks finished the season with a 9-7 record and missed the playoffs. Statistically, the offense finished 11th in points and 15th in yards and the defense finished 13th in points and 11th in yards on defense.

Game notes

– Mike Daniels was this game’s MVP. Russell Wilson rarely had any time to throw the ball, and the run defense, led by Daniels, suffocated the Seahawks’ chances of getting anything going on the ground. Daniels likely also prevented a touchdown when he pressured Wilson, who had Tyler Lockett on a deep ball. Additionally, he “set up” the offense for its first points of the game with a strip sack deep in Seahawks territory.

– Nick Perry played a nice game as well. Like Daniels, Perry does well against tackles who struggle against power. Perry outmuscled Rees Odhiambo early for a sack, which ended the Seahawks’ opening drive. On most passing plays, Daniels made it through the turnstiles first with Perry trailing closely behind.

– The Seahawks lost by a touchdown and a two-point conversion. As such, points were left on the board for the Seahawks that might have been there had the game been officiated differently. Rodgers’ interception to Nazair Jones actually went for a touchdown but was later called back on multiple penalties – a “punch” by Jeremy Lane against Davante Adams and a block in the back called on Cliff Avril. Both calls, depending on one’s angle, could have been left alone. Kentrell Brice and Davon House also looked to have gotten away with a third-down pass interference no-call in the end zone against Jimmy Graham. It looked iffy in real time, but the replay shows plenty of contact throughout the entire play. A free set of downs on the 1-yard line may have been what the Seahawks needed to close the gap.

– Right tackle Kyle Murphy struggled mightily early. He settled down in the second half, but Rodgers ran for his life in most of the first half. The cadre of pass rushers the Seahawks had, including Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, frequently overwhelmed Murphy.

– Ty Montgomery’s stat line was nothing special in this game (19 rushes for 54 yards, a touchdown and four catches for 39 yards); even so, he demonstrated wiggle and power in between the tackles and as well as his obvious comfort catching the ball. Most surprising, perhaps, was Montgomery’s power running the football.

– The Packers offense stalled through much of the game. Until Rodgers caught the Seattle defense with 12 men on the field, which led to a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson, it was tough sledding. Daniels’ strip-sack deep in enemy territory allowed the Packers to take their first lead, but it was an uneven outing for the offense.

– Earl Thomas is a game changer. Yes, Richard Sherman played mostly-sticky coverage for much of the game, but Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson each were able to get separation on the former All-Pro. Once he reads the play, Thomas is downhill in a hurry and he’s a sure tackler. He played with unmatched confidence and played a big part in keeping the deep zone out of the picture.

Retrospective takeaways

– Seattle’s defense was operating at full strength against the Packers but suffered severe injuries (Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril and Richard Sherman) in the back half of the season that may have deflated their overall defensive numbers by year end (not to mention their record). With that said, the Packers’ offense struggled to find rhythm after a strong first drive. Rodgers threw an uncharacteristically ugly interception, which should have put them behind by six. Rodgers was most-effective using his legs and extending drives.

– It was a bit concerning watching Murphy in the first half. He’s expected to compete for an interim starter’s role in 2018, and he was beaten with frightening regularity against Seattle, mostly in the first half. He settled in later, but he’ll be a player to keep an eye on to see how he might fit into 2018’s plans.

– The Packers’ defensive line demonstrated in Week 1 why it would be a strength in 2018. Mike Daniels was, of course, dominant, but so, too, was Nick Perry. Kenny Clark played well fortifying the inside. It helped that Seattle’s offensive line was atrocious all year long, illuminating the Packers’ strength and playing into their hands.

– For what it’s worth, the defensive interior did what Mike Pettine hinted at earlier this month in terms of generating interior pressure. Wilson consistently played up against a collapsing pocket. Interior pressure is a menace against short and mobile quarterbacks, of which Wilson is both.

– This game was billed as a cage match between two alpha dogs. Both teams, for various reasons, missed the playoffs.

– The Packers secondary was fine, but they didn’t have to do much. This game – or this defensive line, more precisely – epitomizes why a good rush begets good coverage.