Seattle has long been an imposing place for opposing teams to play, but the Packers were able to make themselves at home on Sunday night.

While the crowd at Lumen Field may have featured more Seahawks fans than Packers fans overall, the Packers fans that did turn out made sure that their presence was felt. It did not feel like a hostile environment for the road team during their 30-13 win and head coach Matt LaFleur made sure to take a moment to highlight the Packers partisans when he spoke to reporters after the game.

“Big shout-out to our fans,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “I definitely was not expecting that many Packer fans in the stands. This is a tough place to play, it’s extremely loud, and I was shocked when our defense was on the field and I could hear our Packer fans. It definitely made a difference for us.”

The Packers gave their fans plenty to cheer about over the course of the evening and they should get a warm welcome back to Lambeau Field as they work to nail down a playoff spot in Week 16 against the Saints.

It’s hard to believe the Green Bay Packers are the third-best team in their own division.

The Packers are 10-4 and each of their losses have come against an elite team. And on Sunday night they looked like one of the best teams in football, even if their ceiling is probably the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Packers throttled a Seattle Seahawks team that had taken over first place in the NFC West after a hot streak, winning 30-13 on Sunday night. The Seahawks lost Geno Smith to a knee injury in the second half, but they were getting blown out before that injury occurred. Seattle wasn’t in the same league as Green Bay on either side of the ball.

The Packers have the bad luck of being in the NFC North with the 12-2 Detroit Lions and the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, who play on Monday night. They’d run away with a few other divisions. Based on what we saw Sunday night, the NFC West is likely one of them.

Packers have a great 1st half

Seattle is not an easy place to play. Especially with the Seahawks coming in with a four-game winning streak since their bye.

The Packers were unfazed. They weren’t perfect in the first half, but they scored on all four first-half possessions. Josh Jacobs scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on Green Bay’s first drive, then Romeo Doubs caught a 13-yard touchdown to push the lead to 14-0. The Packers got two more field goals before the end of the half. They led 20-0 at halftime.

The defense was just as good. The Packers put a lot of pressure on Smith. Corey Valentine almost picked off Smith deep in Packers territory, then on the next play Smith threw one up wildly to the end zone and Valentine picked him off. That came with the Seahawks trailing 17-3 and killed any momentum they might have been gaining.

Seattle had played well to rally and take over first place of the NFC West. Then, at home in prime time, the Seahawks looked like they belonged on a much lower tier than the Packers.

Geno Smith injured for Seahawks

The Seahawks had to turn to Sam Howell at quarterback in the second half. Smith injured his knee when he landed on a hit. He slammed his helmet in frustration as he came out of the game, then slowly walked back to the locker room to get further evaluation.

Howell is a mistake-prone quarterback but he can make plays. He led a scoring drive that ended with a Zach Charbonnet 24-yard touchdown run, which cut Green Bay’s lead to 23-13. The Seahawks got a three-and-out after that, but after they got the ball back they made the questionable decision to punt on fourth-and-5, which made it very tough for them to get back in the game.

Seattle got a stop on fourth-and-2 later in the fourth quarter but Howell threw an interception right after that, which practically sealed the Packers’ win. Doubs’ second touchdown of the game a few plays later, a fantastic catch in the end zone right before the ball hit the ground, put the final nail in it.

The Packers will be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Jordan Love is getting healthier and playing well. Jacobs has given them a dangerous run game. The defense is capable of playing at a high level. It might be one of the best third-place teams the NFL has ever seen.

It is only ten days to Christmas, but do not despair! The Seattle Christmas Market is still there (to satisfy all of your holiday needs)!

Founded in 2023, the Seattle Christmas Market is located at the Seattle Center, right by the Seattle Space Needle. Offering German food and drink, entertainment, seasonal decorations, and handmade crafts and gifts, there is something for everyone at this modern twist on a traditional German market.

What Can You Do At The Seattle Christmas Market?

Although there is entertainment like a lighted Tunnel of Love, a walk in the forest with some familiar fairy tales, and a carousel, there is also plenty of food and drink to sample. Glühwein at the Christmas Pyramid has hot-spiced mulled wine and Kinderpunsch for the kids! There are also stalls for beer, coffee, and apple cider!

There are also plenty of food options. Their website provides a detailed list of vendors, which have tags for gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, and sustainable options. Casa de Paella provides different paella bowls depending on the day as a delicious gluten-free option. Tin Can Cakes also offers traditional cakes with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, all with a festive holiday design!

Can You Buy Christmas Presents At The Seattle Christmas Market?

You sure can! In addition to sweet treats like boxes of chocolate and decorated candy apples, there are plenty of gifts for people of all ages. There are several different booths that sell handmade stuffed animals as well as handcrafted hats and luxury leather items.

A Polish pottery stall uses handmade techniques, including sponge stamps and freehand decorations, to make each piece unique. All of the pieces are oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe! For the kids, a gourmet licorice stand might provide the perfect stocking stuffer. These ropes are two feet long and come in over thirty unique flavors, from a sweet rainbow to a classic red twist!

Business Is Booming At The Seattle Christmas Market

Although traditional Christmas markets are free, this one does charge an admission fee. While most German Christmas markets rely on public funding, this event operates independently and the admission fee is used to secure venue rentals and setting up decorations. While the market does have some five dollar days, where select time slots are only five dollars, most single-entry admission tickets cost $19.99 per person. Fortunately, children under six are free.

Despite the cost of admission, one vendor told The Blast that business was “very good” this year and is expecting an even greater turnout while heading into the week before Christmas. The event, which started last year, caused some complaints about long lines, overcrowding, and a bit of confusion around the timed ticket entrances. Fortunately, the Christmas Market, which runs until December 24 this year, seems to be running much more smoothly this year.

Don’t Forget To Take A Photo With Santa!

Fans who swing by the igloo on the Winter Deck right by the entrance will be able to take photos with Santa Claus himself, St. Nikolaus. The photograph is free and guests are provided with a free printout to take home with them. Santa is there on different times each day, so make sure to check the schedule before heading out to make sure you’ll get a chance for the perfect photo opportunity!

In addition to taking photos with Santa, there is also a “family favorite” scavenger hunt designed to keep children busy. The scavenger hunt is available for no charge at the Market info hut, located just outside of the restaurant. The scavenger hunt features a maze, a word search, and more! It will be available during the full duration of the market, from November 21 to December 24.

What Else Can I Do In Seattle?

The Seattle Christmas Market is open rain or shine, but if the inclement weather gets to be too much for you and your family, there are many popular attractions nearby to visit, including the popular Space Needle. The Museum of Pop Culture will also provide an entertaining afternoon, with attractions that include costumes from real-life celebrities like Beyonce and Michael Jackson.

For the kids, there are also exhibits from the “Harry Potter” movie franchise and even Harry’s own glasses! There is a filming miniature of the Death Star II filming miniature, which was designed by Bevel Lemelisk and used in the film “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” in 1983. There are also costumes and props used in movies and shows like “The Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and more!

And, if you happen to be hungry, here’s our list of some of the best gluten-free and allergy-friendly restaurants in Seattle!