Green Bay Packers - Fearless Forecast

Matt and me in Lambeau. 10/3/2021 dwm

It's a new season for the Green Bay Packers.  They've been close but didn't light the cigar as the team fell short of the Lombardi Trophy since the 2010 season.

 

Three straight seasons with 13 wins is great but the first two ended with losses in the conference championship game.  Last year ended on the Frozen Tundra in the Divisional Round.

 

Most of the team is back.  New players on defense and the special teams bring an infusion of talent, experience, and proven coaching.  Training camp and the preseason is over, the games count now.

Just like last year and the years before, the goal is a championship.  There are 13 banners displayed in Lambeau, more than any NFL team.

It's time to make it 14.  Aaron Rodgers returns for his 18th season as a Packer.  He is the highest paid quarterback in the league and a sure-fire Hall of Famer five years after retirement.  This year when the defense takes the field Rodgers may be watching the stronger part of the team.  Packer fans hope a strong D is the difference between a title and just making the play-offs.

Lambeau will host 8 of 9 scheduled home games this year.  The 9th game is Green Bay's first time playing a regular season game outside the United States, when they host the New York Giants in London October 9.

You can't play the games on paper or in fantasy.  Games are won or lost by the 47 men in uniform.  The trick, it seems, is concentrating on each game, each play, then letting go to focus on the next play, the next game.

This is my fearless (and likely incorrect) Packer forecast:

Sept 11 at Minnesota (Final score: Vikings 23 Packers 7)

Beginning the season against a team in your division (NFC North) raises the stakes of what is riding on the game.  While it is just one of 17, it makes a difference if there is a tie in the standings.  Minnesota changed their head coach and defensive assistants and turned a former Packer linebacker purple.  I expect a tough game.  The Pack lost in embarrassing fashion last year against the Saints in the season-opener.  I don't think that happens in the bank.  Packers win (1 - 0).   

Green Bay (0 - 1) fell behind early, missed a tying touchdown when the Aaron Rodgers passed went through the receiver's hands, and it seemed the first half was a sleep-walk.  We'll see if the embarrassing loss (like in 2021) leads to the same 13 - 4 record.

 

Sept 18 v Chicago (Final score Packers 27 Chicago 10)

The Bears also have a new head coach.  There is a new offense for their 3rd year quarterback.  You can throw out the records.  But, if Green Bay wins their opener while Chicago loses, the Packers could take over the lead in all-time victories passing the Monsters of the Midway.  That's a great record!  Green Bay wins (2 - 0).

 

Sept 25 at Tampa Bay (Final score Packers 14 Tampa 12)

Here's hoping for a cool September day when the Packers roll in to play Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.  This game will test the Green Bay defense which is expected to field one of its best team of defenders since the Super Bowl winners after the 2010 and 1996 seasons.  A Packer win is possible if the defense scores and makes it tough for the home team.  It's close but Tampa Bay wins (2 - 1).

 

Oct 2 v New England (Final Score Packers 24 New England 24)

The Packers return to Lambeau to play the Patriots.  Aaron Rodgers is 1 - 1 against the Patriots.  Green Bay's biggest win over New England was in Super Bowl XXXI.  This game won't reach those heights but it gets Green Bay back in the win column.  Packers win (3 - 1).

 

Oct 9 v New York Giants (Final Score Giants 27 Packers 22)

The Packers have never played a regular season game outside the United States until now.  The Packers agreed to this game because the 17-game schedule leaves Green Bay eight home games, games important to the local economy.  This is a game Green Bay should win.  I expect there to be a lot of green and gold in the stadium watching a close game.  Packers win (4 - 1).

Oct 16 v New York Jets (Final Score Jets 27 Packers 10)

Usually teams playing in London get the next Sunday off but the Packers chose to play.  It's the only Packer home game with a 12 o'clock kickoff, a sign you have a good team the networks want to feature. The other New York team comes to town with the Pack as heavy favorites.  There is fatigue early, then the defense takes control.  Packers win (5 - 1).

 

Oct 24 at Washington (Final Score Washington 23 Packers 21)

From the outside, the game in Washington looks like the last of four games Green Bay should win; that doesn't make it easy and could make this an upset special.  If the Packers are a Super Bowl contender, this is a game they find a way to win.  Packers win (6 - 1).

 

Oct 30 at Buffalo (Final Score Buffalo 27 Packers 17)

If both teams perform to expectations this could be a potential Super Bowl preview.  Two high-powered teams with marquee quarterbacks and strong defenses throwing punches from both sides of the line of scrimmage.  Green Bay plays well, Buffalo wins (6 - 2).

Nov 6 at Detroit (Final Score Detroit 15 Packers 9)

It took nine games before the Packers faced all the teams in the NFC North.  The Lions are improving, I expect them to, then Rodgers and company reel them in.  Packers win (7 - 2).

 

Nov 13 v Dallas (Final Score Packers 31 Dallas 28)

While both sides said nice things after Coach McCarthy was fired after a successful tenure in Titletown, I expect number 12 to bring something extra for the game against the starred helmets.  The Packer defense slows down Dak Prescott, Green Bay hits a field goal for the victory.  Packers win (8 - 2).

 

Thursday Nov 17 v Tennessee (Final Score Titans 27 Packers 17)

It's a short week for the Pack with four nights before the Titans invade Lambeau Field.   Tennessee is also playing on short rest and a travel day.  Packers cruise to a win (9 - 2).

 

Nov 27 at Philadelphia (Final Score Eagles 40 Packers 33)

The Eagles are always a tough team.  It helps Green Bay has a few extra days off before ramping up for this contest.  This is a potential pot-hole in a terrific season.  Philadelphia wins (9 - 3).

 

Dec 4 at Chicago (Final Score Packers 28 Chicago 19)

If you beat your division opponents, you win the division and advance to the play-offs, it's that simple.  Games aren't simple.  While they are played one at a time the emotion and momentum of a season plays a part in determining the outcome.  The Bears play tough, Packers win (10 - 3).

 

Bye week

This is the first time since 2014 Green Bay had to wait until week 14 for a full week of rest.  The Packers can win the bye by getting here with only a few injured players and those who are hurt are able to recover for the final four games.

 

Monday Dec 19 v Los Angeles Rams (Final Score Packers 24 Rams 12)

The last time the Rams came to Lambeau they ended Green Bay's season in the play-offs.  It's likely that home field advantage could be at stake and the winner will own a tiebreaker over a postseason foe.  Packers win a nail-biter on a cold and bitter night (11 - 3).

 

Dec 25 at Miami (Finals Score Packers 26 Miami 20)

I thought if Green Bay was going to play on Christmas, it would be at home.  Instead the Packers travel south to battle the Dolphins.  Miami is an improving team but it isn't their year.  Packers win (12 - 3).

 

Jan 1 v Minnesota (Final Score Packers 41 Vikings 17)

The Vikings are Green Bay's toughest division foe.  They show up with all their weapons hoping to qualify as a Wild Card in the play-offs.  Green Bay needs a win to secure home-field advantage, Rodgers leads the way.  Packers win (13 - 3).

 

Week 18 v Detroit (Final Score Lions 20 Packers 16 - the game that kept them from the playoffs and finished their season at 8 - 9)

If the Packers don't need this game to secure their play-off position, expect to see Jordan Love under center and several starters getting a breather.  That's the only way I see Green Bay losing this one.  If they need a win to secure a first-round bye, I expect to see the Packers win their 14th game (14 - 3). 

As the 102nd schedule for the Packers gets started there is a lot of optimism.  Almost every player is healthy and no games have been lost.  

 

Time is running out on the Aaron Rodgers era.  The team, the quarterback, and the rest of the roster are focused on playing for their 5th Lombardi trophy and 14th NFL title overall.  I think they have a great shot.

Go Pack, GO!