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| Green Bay Packers 2017 Schedule (internet image) |
The goal is the same every year - get to the play-offs and win the Championship.
Green Bay has reached that goal more than any team in the National Football League.
13 titles, including four Super Bowls (1966, 1967, 1996, 2010).
As long as #12 Aaron Rodgers is under center, the Pack has a good chance to reach the post-season. Get there and you are one of twelve teams with the opportunity to win it all. Super Bowl LII will be played west of Green Bay, in Minneapolis - sure sounds convenient, doesn't it?
I'll wait on that. Here is my regular season Fearless Forecast (game times are Central time):
First Quarter Forecast 3 - 1
9/10 Seattle 3:25 on FOX
There isn't an easing into the regular season with the Seahawks flying into Green Bay. These two teams have tangled at the highest levels for several years. Seattle is responsible for two of the Packers' worst losses - Fail Mary in 2012 and the On-Side Fail in 2015. It will be a tough and rough game. I like the Packers at home to hold on tight. 1 - 0
9/17 @Atlanta 7:30 on NBC
The Falcons left Green Bay's Championship dreams smoking last year in the NFC Title Game before getting burned late themselves in the Super Bowl. It's opening night for their new playpen and the Pack is the opening night guest. The place will be rocking and the crowd at full-throat. If Green Bay can't get a lead early, this could get out of reach. 1 - 1
9/24 Cincinnati 3:25 on CBS
Three networks in three games tells you all you need to know about the Packer's ability to draw a crowd on national television. Either flying after a huge win in Atlanta or itching to get back on the right side of the scoreboard, the Packers win this one. 2 - 1
9/28 Chicago Thursday 7:25 on CBS
It is a short turn-around, but the Packers stay at home to face the Bears. Last year, Green Bay tied the all-time series at 94 - 94 - 6. It's the first time the series has been tied since September 24, 1933! The Packers last lead the series December 11, 1932 when it was 11 - 10 - 4. These two teams first played in 1921. Green Bay trailed by as many as 24 games as recently as 1992, it was the next year Brett Favre arrived. He and Aaron Rodgers helped the team get out of a big hole. The Bears are always up to play Green Bay - I look for Green Bay to win this one. 3 - 1
Second Quarter Forecast 4 - 0
10/8 @ Dallas 3:25 on FOX
As I try to peer through the haze inside Jerry World, I can't see if Zeke Elliott will be running for Dallas when the Packers get there. Dak Prescott is in his second year after an outstanding debut season. Will there be a sophomore slump? Is the Packer defense able to get a pass rush and defend on the back end? We will know more after this one. This could go either way, but I need to make a pick - I'm calling it for the Pack. 4 - 1
10/15 @ Minnesota 12:00 on FOX
The first visit into the Branch Bank in Minneapolis to play the Vikings went poorly. This time, Green Bay will look to set the tone early with a balance of run and pass while keeping Minnesota out of the end zone. Green Bay pulls away in this one with a mental note to return next February. 5 - 1
10/22 New Orleans 12:00 on FOX
There is no trap game in the NFL, but after playing Dallas and Minnesota in consecutive weeks the home team might be flat at the start. This will be a game for the defense to show its improvement from last season and keep it close while the offense gets on track. Rodgers leads a come-back to secure their 6th win. 6 - 1
10/29 Bye
11/6 Detroit Monday 7:30 on ESPN
In 2015 Detroit won its first game at Lambeau Field since 1991. Green Bay won the last three. The Lions have the highest paid Quarterback at the moment while arguably the best QB is on Green Bay's sideline. Don't think that won't provide a little motivation for Mr. Rodgers, this will be a very tight game, but I can't see Detroit getting the win. 7 - 1
Third Quarter (2 - 2)
11/12 @ Chicago 12:00 on FOX
I smell trouble in the Bear's den. The Packers will be favored, but that doesn't mean much. I want to be wrong, but I see Chicago getting the better of this match. 7 - 2
11/19 Baltimore 12:00 on CBS
A return to the home field is an excellent tonic for what ails a team, and the Packers respond with a solid all-around effort against the Ravens. 8 - 2
11/26 @ Pittsburgh 7:30 on NBC
Two of the NFL's best franchises square off under the lights in a possible Super preview. Big Ben and a talented offense face off with Aaron's gang in a shoot-out. The Steelers win a high-scoring affair by less than a field goal. 8 - 3
12/3 Tampa Bay 12:00 on FOX
This is one of two remaining home games of the five left to play and after losing two out of three, the Green Bay defense is primed for the warm-weather Buccaneers. Fans hope for some early cold and snow for this one. Either way, Green Bay slides back into the win column. 9 - 3
Fourth Quarter Forecast (3 - 1)
12/10 @ Cleveland 12:00 on FOX
Three of four on the road to close the season starts in Ohio against the rebuilding Browns. This isn't Cleveland's year and there is a lot of Green and Gold in the stadium. 10 - 3
12/17 @ Carolina 12:00 on FOX
Last year Carolina may have been the most disappointing team in the league after a Super Bowl a year earlier. Before the season it's hard to know what Panther team shows up and how Cam Newton will do this year. The Panthers are prowling to stay in the hunt in their division, take a late lead, and hold on. 10 - 4
12/23 Minnesota 7:30 Saturday on NBC
The Packers and Vikings are the rivalry in the NFC North and this game will go a long way to determine the division champ. The Packer defense holds the Vikes under 10 points and Green Bay completes the season sweep. 11 - 4
12/31 @ Detroit 12:00 on FOX
It feels like these two teams have played the last game of the season for several years. They haven't, but it seems that way. If Detroit is in the running for a Wild Card spot, this game could be on Ford Field after dark on NBC. The Packers are pushing for a first round bye in the post-season and home field advantage. They get it. 12 - 4
I think 12 - 4 gets them a division title and either a 1 or 2 seed and a first-round bye.
After qualifying for the play-offs nine straight years, the question is what do the Packers look like after the season? If the team is mostly healthy at this point every fan will be expecting and hoping for great things - like wins in the Divisional and Championship rounds and a date February 4, 2018 back at the Branch Bank in Super Bowl LII.
Go Pack, Go!
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