GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Seattle Seahawks believed their offensive line could be better this season, even with the loss of starting left tackle George Fant and only one significant addition in left guard Luke Joeckel.
And it could still be, but whatever improvement the Seahawks were expecting or hoping to see was nowhere to be found Sunday at Lambeau Field. Green Bay's defense had its way with Seattle up front, leaving Russell Wilson under constant pressure and keeping the Seahawks' offense from ever really finding any consistent rhythm.
That, more than anything, was why the Seahawks lost their opener, 17-9.
"I'm disappointed that they were able to be as aggressive up front as they were with their defense," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of the Packers. "I have to see the film and see what happened. But I was surprised that they were able to do that."
It looked like it could be a long day for Seattle in pass protection from the opening snap, when left tackle Rees Odhiambo was beaten off the edge. And it was. Wilson was sacked three times, but that total doesn't tell the story. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he faced pressure on 44 percent of his dropbacks, above his career average of 37 percent over his first five seasons.
When the Seahawks were able to move the ball, they missed some big chances. One was an overthrow by Wilson to Tyler Lockett for what would have been a touchdown in the second quarter. Another was a dropped deep ball by Jimmy Graham in the fourth quarter. Both of those plays were on third down, where Seattle finished only 3-of-12.
"Not good enough. Just not good enough," Carroll said of Seattle on third down. "We're so much better than that."
And so a new season begins with a familiar story for the Seahawks -- their offense struggling and their defense needing to pick up the slack.
It did its part Sunday.
Seattle kept Aaron Rodgers mostly in check despite some challenging circumstances. The Seahawks lost starting cornerback Jeremy Lane to an ejection in the first quarter. That elevated rookie Shaquill Griffin into the No. 2 role in his first NFL game, while it also forced Justin Coleman into the nickel role only nine days after he was acquired in a trade. The Seahawks held Green Bay scoreless in the first half and didn't yield any points until the Packers took over on the doorstep of the end zone following a sack-fumble early in the third quarter.
Griffin more than held his own despite being in Rodgers' crosshairs all game. Free safety Earl Thomas looked like Earl Thomas, validating observations from the preseason that suggested he's all the way back to form after a broken leg. And the pass rush that now might be the envy of every defense in the NFL following the addition of Sheldon Richardson looked as good as advertised, sacking Rodgers four times and moving him off his spot several others.
It wasn't a perfect day for Seattle's defense. It allowed the Packers to convert 9 of 16 times on third down and also got caught in a substitution, leading to a Packers touchdown when Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson on a free play. But it's hard to ask a defense to do anything more than what Seattle's did Sunday, especially against Rodgers at Lambeau Field.
The Seahawks needed more from their offense, especially their offensive line.
"We have a really good line up front," center Justin Britt said. "Next week well come out better, we'll come out more prepared. It all starts with the week and the preparation we have, and going forward I think we'll show you what we can do. But today was not our best. It sucks to lose to Green Bay again, but we'll move forward. Long season. We're excited. A lot more chances ahead."