Green Bay Packers Season Prediction

As I was going through my fantasy draft earlier, I found myself picking two Green Bay Packers with my first two picks. Maybe it was because I’m a Packers fan or maybe because the offense looks that explosive this season. My top two choices were Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Grant, noted I had the #2 overall pick in my league, and yes I did pass up Adrian “Fumbles” Peterson. You may ask, “why would you do that?!” and the answer is, in a decade where the league is becoming pass first, rush second, why wouldn’t a Quarterback be a safe pick, especially one that’s an early favorite for MVP this season. That’s my reasoning as to why I chose Rodgers over a running back (I also think Chris Johnson isn’t going to repeat as a 2,000 yard rusher, one good season, with him having to be the go-to guy)

Well onto the season prediction, shall we. Green Bay opens up in Philadelphia against the Eagles, while in seasons past, opening up against the Eagles would be scary, most don’t know how Kolb will do against a tough Packers defense, especially with the hidden defense they run. They don’t show what they’re throwing at you until there are five seconds left on the play clock, so Kolb may have a hard time making a pre-snap read. Defensively the Eagles are a top ten defense and could give the Packers some problems early, but Rodgers should get the offense going, leading to a win for Green Bay. Packers win 35-14

The highly anticipated Home Opener in Green Bay (one day I’ll experience it, darn my age) against the Buffalo Bills. There isn’t much to say about the Bills this season as they are in a rebuilding stage of the franchise. CJ Spiller looks to make an impact, but against a steady defense the Packers have, they should be able to contain the ground game as that is all Buffalo seems to have with an average Edwards behind a very streaky line to say the least. The offense should handle the Bills defense easily and roll on to 2-0. Packers win 45-10

Monday Night Football! The Packers against the hated Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, most will say it’s going to be one “hell of a game” but in reality, we all know the Bears don’t look to great this season, unless Mike Martz finally “unveils” his actual offense (Martz has said they have yet to actually open up the playbook fully in the preseason). Regardless for the Bears, the offensive line has yet to hold up, and don’t expect it to change in the regular season especially against a Packers pass rush that can get past the best of them, so expect to see Jay Cutler on his backside a lot, and on Monday Night, can we a get a “C’mon MAN!”. The defense looks ok, but nagging injuries seem to be hitting the Bears, and although they always get up for divisional games, I don’t see the Bears staying up for long against the Packers. Packers win 28-3

What’s better than a home game against the Detroit Lions? Maybe the fantasy points that come along with it, (Rodgers is predicted to drop 50 on them that week, with my leagues scoring system). Yes, I will be starting all Green Bay players on my team for this week as well. Back to the game, well the Lions aren’t going to be pushovers this year like last year; they actually have talent with Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch manning the defensive front, they could get the Rodgers a couple times slowing down the Packers tempo, but it wont be enough with the rest of the defense being average, except for their safety Louis Delmas. The Packers should control the game though, and take advantage of second year QB Matthew Stafford as he matures and take over the game on both sides of the ball, continuing on to 4-0 and good start heading into another winnable game. Packers win 31-17

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We go onto the Nation’s Capital, in Washington D.C. against the Redskins. Donovan McNabb should be healthy, and by this time Albert Haynesworth should (and I mean SHOULD) be starting for new Coach Mike Shanahan. How McNabb plays for the Skins could determine this one as the defense may not be able to contain the Green Bay offense, even with their new 3-4 scheme. If McNabb struggles expect the Packers to blitz him continuously as they have the defensive backfield to contain the receivers. This game has the potential to be closely contested a possibly a shootout as the Packers get tested early, but they should pull it out, in a very winnable game as the Skins continue to find themselves as a team. Packers win 28-24 (I have both Quarterbacks in different leagues, going to be very bittersweet, that’s why I’m pulling for a shootout, and has the chance to be, rejoice Washington fans!)

Miami comes to the Frozen Tundra, as the Dolphins face off against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Chad Henne is now the starter for the Fins, and as other quarterbacks going against the Packers, is going to find life difficult with the disguised defense. Ronnie Brown is back though, and will run the Wild Cat once again, with Ricky Williams, and could cause problems allowing for a few scores in the game. The Dolphins defense is no pushover either, they have two solid young cornerbacks, and a good no name defensive line. They’re young and could get to the Packers offense, but they can’t hold them down for too long as Green Bay usually hits a stride and gets going. It’s going to be a good game since the Dolphins are one of my sleeper teams this year, even though everyone counts them out in the AFC East. Packers win 17-14

Can we all give Brett Favre a nice warm welcome to Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood? No? Well it was worth a try, and yes the Minnesota Vikings return to Green Bay once more with their prized stallion in Brett Favre, as the crowd goes wild (literally wild)! One of the biggest tests for the Packers this season, with the proud Vikings defense rolling in to see how Rodgers can handle the pressure of a must win game for the fans. Favre is going to do well giving as how he always wants to stick it to the Packers for letting him go, and will play close, until the defense steps up and gets a few turnovers draining the hopes of Minnesota. The Packers come out of it win streak intact, for now. Packers win 30-24 in this Sunday night epic.

Off to the new Meadowlands Stadium, to face the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS! (Always wanted to do that) Well the Jets seem to be heavy Super Bowl favorites this year and the Packers should face a heavy challenge against them. The Jets defense could cause some problems as Rex Ryan knows how to get his team pumped up, and could surprise the Packers. I expect Rodgers to come out firing, but that may not be good with, yes, Darrelle Revis playing. Revis Island will reign supreme as the offense struggles, and the defensive struggle ensues. The Jets offense will have a small spark, but the spark will be enough to down the Packers and the winning streak. Jets win 13-10. (When Fireman Ed retires, who’s going to replace him? I’ve been wondering this for years)

Another Sunday Night football game for the Packers and against the conference rivals the Dallas Cowboys! The Cowboys find their way to Green Bay once again as the rivalry has the past few years, and continues on. The Cowboys have offensive line struggles and whether they’ll be fixed by Week 9 seems to be seen. The defenses should be evenly matched, and it’ll come down to how the offenses can produce. The Packers won’t have low outings two weeks in a row, and will come out for this game, and take it from the Cowboys, to head into their bye week with a win, instead of a losing streak. Packers win 27-17.

I’ll continue the second half of the predictions during the bye week, so keep posted. The bye week works wonders too, Drew Brees has the same one. Guess who plays him that week! If I don’t get the title I’m going to be upset, but that’s beside the point. Regardless, Packers head into it 8-1 with an easy first stretch of the season barring injury or some cataclysmic break down. Go Pack Go!

By Byron Reyna
ProFootball-fans.com Green Bay Packers Correspondent