Fan's Guide | Where did "Packers" come from?

OK, maybe you haven't been paying close attention to the Seahawks this season, but now you're interested. Here's a little trivia that might help you enjoy the game today.

Things to know about Green Bay:

1. The Packers are the only publicly-held "major-league" sports team in the United States. Even Mike Holmgren's children own stock in the team. He purchased it for them when he coached the Packers from 1992 to '98.

2. Green Bay isn't quite the "end of the earth" it is made out to be. It is about 90 miles north of Milwaukee and due east from Minneapolis.

3. The team is named Packers because the Indian Packing Co. donated $500 for equipment when the team was founded in 1919.

What's at stake today?

The Seahawks are one of eight teams still in the hunt for the Super Bowl. If the Seahawks win today, they will play the winner of Sunday's Dallas vs. New York Giants game in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 20. That game would be in Seattle if the Giants win, and in Dallas if the Cowboys win. The winner advances to the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 3.

How Seattle got better this year

The defense improved. Traditionally, the Seahawks have been a team that emphasizes offense. A major free-agent acquisition was defensive end Patrick Kerney, a nine-year pro who was second in the NFL in sacks this year with 14 ½.

Four defenders — Kerney, Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant — have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl.

Why the Packers are 7 ½-point favorites

1. The Packers, the No. 2 seed, are better rested because they had a bye last week.

2. Seattle hasn't won a playoff road game since beating Miami in 1983.

3. Green Bay is 14-2 in home playoff games.

4. Seattle's defense has played much better at home than on the road.

Hot pants

Seahawks kicker Josh Brown intends to keep his kicking leg warm today on the sideline by wearing an extra pair of pants that will have battery-powered heaters in them. He will take off his "hot pants" when he enters the game.

History lesson

• When Mike Holmgren was Green Bay's coach, his 1996 team beat New England to win the Super Bowl. His 1997 Packers lost to Denver in the Super Bowl. A street near Lambeau Field is named after him.

• Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck played for Green Bay as a backup to Brett Favre in 1999 and 2000.

• The Seahawks faced the Packers in a playoff game after the 2003 season and lost in overtime, 33-27. Hasselbeck said at the coin flip for overtime, "We want the ball, and we're gonna score." He then threw an interception that was returned for a TD on the second possession. The receiver, Alex Bannister, ran the wrong route on the play.

Seahawks' local guys

• Nate Burleson, wide receiver and return specialist, went to O'Dea High School.

• Starting cornerback Marcus Trufant went to Wilson High School in Tacoma and Washington State.

• Long snapper Jeff Robinson went to Ferris High School in Spokane.

• David Kirtman is a special-teams player who grew up next door to where Holmgren used to live on Mercer Island. He played for Mercer Island High School and USC.

Craig Smith: 206-464-8279 or csmith@seattletimes.com