SEATTLE - Excitement is building as Seahawk fans countdown the hours until kick off with the Green Bay Packers.

From a 12th man flag towed behind a plane to trucks and fans decked out in Hawks gear - the Hawks spirit is alive and well.

Even the grandson of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi says he is rooting for the Hawks.

"I'll be pulling for the Seahawks. I didn't wear the tie by accident today," he said. "I didn't wear the jersey because I have to be in court. I grew up here a big chunk of my life. My dad actually worked for the Seahawks on the management side."

Lombari the 2nd says if the Seahawks lose against Green Bay, then he will support the Packers

The Seahawks arrived in Green Bay Friday. Fans were on hand to see them off on their plane ride. They lined up along an overpass over Interstate 405 in Renton, decked out in Seahawks gear, hoping to catch a glimpse of the team on their way to the airport.

"So, if we yell as loud as we can now they'll know what they're taking with them and that we'll be yelling at home for them to win," said Matt Hanson

And fans were on hand in Green Bay when the team arrived at its hotel.

The women at the Pediatric Associates of Kirkland decided to forego casual Friday, choosing instead to dress for Seahawks Saturday.

"We just love to support the Seahawks. We did it the last time they were in the playoffs, so we're just carrying on the tradition," said Kim Harris.

Seattle's Van Asselt Elementary School Thursday, they put down their pencils to raise the 12th Man flag. The young fans waved signs and signed a special flag, which will be presented to the team before the playoff game in Green Bay.

"I think they're gonna win," said one young fan.  When asked if he was nervous, he said. "Kinda." 

Across town at City Hall, there were no nerves, just the steely reserve of Mayor Greg Nickels, who placed a friendly wager with Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt:  Northwest wine, salmon and Jones Soda against cheese, root beer and bratwurst (not to be confused with a particular Green Bay quarterback). 

"I was told that one of the items you were putting up was Brett. Now I'm told it's brat," Nickels told Schmitt. 

"That's brats! We would never give up Brett," said Schmitt. 

KING

At Seattle's Van Asselt Elementary School Thursday, young fans signed a special 12th Man flag, which will be presented to the team before Saturday's playoff game in Green Bay.

Holmgren's deja vu

Holmgren remarked how similar this week feels to the run up for last January's divisional playoff game at top-seeded Chicago. The injury-wrecked Seahawks played one of their better games of the season before losing in overtime to the eventual NFC-champion Bears on a cold, gray day in the Midwest.

"We went through this last year with the Bears. We are clearly the underdog in this game -- by a lot. And no one gives us much of a chance to win this game," Holmgren said. "But we have a good team, too. ...

"It's nothing new for us when it comes to national media."

Exactly a year ago, Hasselbeck returning from a sprained knee and was about to have surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. So he sees one, key difference this time.

"We're healthier, I'd say. For me, anyway," he said.

Hackett questionable

The Seahawks officially listed starting receiver D.J. Hackett as questionable. He aggravated a sprained right ankle in practice Wednesday and Holmgren held him out Thursday. The coach said Hackett's availability will be a game-time decision.

Hackett severely sprained the ankle on his only catch of the season opener, when his foot got snagged in his home field's turf while he was being tackled. He missed the next six games, returned with 27 catches and three touchdowns in four games, then was out four more weeks with the same injury. He returned for the regular-season finale two weeks ago.

Seattle has had its full corps of receivers for just 2 1/2 games this season. Deion Branch, who returned to practice Wednesday after missing two games with a strained right calf, is listed as probable.

So is All-Pro defensive end Patrick Kerney. Kerney, whose 14 1/2 sacks this season were second in the league, practiced for the first time this week on Thursday after getting treatment for a sore left knee.

"We're about as healthy as you can be," Holmgren said.