FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

THE EARL OF CENTER FIELD: When the Packers beat up the Seahawks 38-10 last December at Lambeau Field, Earl Thomas was not at his familiar free safety position. He was lost for the season with a broken leg. Aaron Rodgers had a masterful day, posting a 150.8 passer rating. Now, Thomas is back to patrol the middle of the field. “He’s a monster controlling sideline to sideline,” receiver Davante Adams said.

FOUR SQUARE: The Seahawks have had some solid front fours in their time under coach Pete Carroll, but trading for talented defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson raises the bar. If Carroll can get the underachieving Richardson to buy in to what the Seahawks are doing, Seattle will have one of the best fronts in the league.

MIND YOUR MATTERS: Last year, the Packers did an OK job of keeping their cool against the Seahawks, who like to push the limits when it comes playing beyond the whistle. Randall Cobb managed to stay calm after Jeremy Lane took a shot at him as the Packers kneeled down at the end of the half. Adams almost lost his cool when Richard Sherman popped him in the back away from the play. Datone Jones had the only roughness penalty for the Packers. “We know what kind of players they are and some of the plays they’ve made and things they’ve done after the whistle,” Cobb said. “You prepare for that.”

NEXT MAN UP: Ty Montgomery can’t play the entire game, so one of the rookies is going to fill in for him at some point. Jamaal Williams has been the No. 2 all camp, but Aaron Jones finished strong and led all backs with a 5.5-yard average. Jones has made strides in pass protection but is it enough?

SET, HUT: By now you would think the Seahawks would be on to Rodgers. His hard count has gotten them to jump offside more times then they would like to admit. In the last two games at Lambeau Field, Seattle was called for offside five times. They also were called for 12 men on the field twice. Rodgers knows he has to keep the front four off balance with his cadence.