LET'S TALK FOOTBALL - Green Bay Packers

Last season, the Green Bay Packers proved that they were in the second tier of the NFC. They were a team with a solid offense and an effective defense, but did not have enough to beat the juggernauts of the conference: the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers lost to those three teams twice. Considering that Jordan Love had an injury-riddled year, Green Bay managed to make it back to the playoffs, but a three interception performance against Philadelphia resulted in a one-and-done scenario. In the offseason, this team did not completely retool their roster, confident that they can make it back to the postseason. However, it does not look like one that can make it past the second round.

The only person that can shed this narrative is their quarterback Jordan Love, who has more than proven to be the face of the franchise. He might not be a perfect player, but since he got the nod to be the starter, he has been the furthest thing from a liability. Josh Jacobs has also helped change life on his offense by getting his career back on track with over 1300 rushing yards and fifteen touchdowns! I think that this running game can be even better now that MarShawn Lloyd is fully healthy and Emanuel Wilson has become a decent third down option. However, the passing game does give me a little bit of concern. I like that they drafted Matthew Golden in the first round, somebody that can complement the speedster. But at the same time, I think the depth at that position is lackluster. Christian Watson is expected to miss a majority of the season due to a torn ACL, Romeo Doubs has been extremely inconsistent to the point where he has been on the trade bubble for months, Dontayvion Wicks has been a disappointment, and I personally do not know what to make of Bo Melton or even Malik Heath. I like that Love will have a couple of security blankets at tight end with Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, but we are going to find out who will become the focal point of this passing attack and who will be next in line. One area that I am not concerned with is their offensive line, which gave up the second fewest sacks in the league last year.

As for the defense, I was surprisingly impressed with how they performed. They allowed the sixth fewest points, the seventh fewest rushing yards, totaled the eighth most sacks, and finished fourth in takeaways! When you look at the entire unit itself, there are not too many household names, but plenty of key contributors. Rashan Gary is still a productive edge rusher, Devonte Wyatt has emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in the league that takes the heat off of veteran Kenny Clark, Kingsley Enagbare has slowly developed into one of Green Bay’s key starters, and Lukas Van Ness is slowly improving! On the second level, the linebacker room has plenty of depth and versatility. Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker are near the top of the list, with Isiaah McDuffie not too far behind. Unfortunately, the Packers lost Eric Wilson in free agency, but let’s just hope that this team finally can unlock the potential that Isaiah Simmons had when he was taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the secondary is one that I want to keep a close eye on this season now that Jaire Alexander is officially released. The silver lining is that they have an outstanding one-two punch at safety with Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard, but Green Bay does not have a number one corner. In the games that Alexander played last year, the team was 6-1. Without him, they were 5-6. Nate Hobbs is a solid player, yet he is also a corner that his missed some time over the last few years due to injury, so both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine will have a lot of work to do this offseason. The same goes with rookie Micah Robinson, who might have been drafted in the seventh round, but is somebody that will more than likely see plenty of regular season action.

I am expecting the Packers to once again be in the playoff mix. They might not have the best roster on paper, but Green Bay has more than a few guys that will make sure they win at least nine games this season. However, they not only play in a highly competitive conference, but the toughest division in football. Even if the Packers have a respectable season, there are going to be more than a couple of losses that are going to hurt their chances. Remember, they were the seventh seed for the last two seasons. Either this team is going to soar to new heights and emerge as a legitimate championship threat or they will remain just an above average team at best and either get sent home in the Wild Card or miss the postseason completely.

WEEK 1 vs. DETROIT LIONS

Over the last few years, the Lions have not been afraid to walk onto the grass of Lambeau Field and humiliate the Packers in front of their faithful fans. Green Bay knows that in order for them to truly turn the corner this year, they have to hold their own against the class of the division. Detroit might have lost both of their coordinators, but as long as Dan Campbell is in charge, then they are the team to beat in the division. For all the flaws that Jared Goff might have as a quarterback, he has still been one of the best the organization ever had. The only worst case scenario is that he turns into a turnover machine again and causes them to slip out of the playoff race, but with the cast around him, it should not be an issue. Detroit still has a one-two punch at running back featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Amon-Ra St. Brown is easily one of the top five receivers in the league and Campbell is hoping that Jameson Williams could emerge as a legitimate number two. Sam LaPorta is always one of the more reliable tight ends in the league and their offensive line is one of the best in the league. We know that this offense will keep Detroit in postseason contention, but what about the other side of the ball?

When the Lions defense was healthy, they were one of the more improved units in the league. But the more guys they lost, the worse it got. If Aidan Hutchinson can successfully bounce back from the gruesome knee injury he suffered against the Cowboys, not only is this group going to get back on track, but he will be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. The only issue is that there is not anybody else on the line that can generate consistent pressure. They have a few perennial run stuffers, but the only player that had more than a few sacks in 2024 was Za’Darius Smith, and he is still a free agent. At least the linebacking room is still deep with Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez. But without a pass rush, then that means the secondary is going to be put in a tough place. They lost Carlton Davis in free agency, but they still have a few key playmakers that will at least hold their end of the bargain. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are easily one of the best safety tandems in the league, they signed DJ Reed to complement the rising Terrion Arnold, and the additions of both Amik Robertson and Avonte Maddox should keep things stable. However, if this group is not healthy, then this season might turn out even worse than the last two.

I do not see this series ending in a sweep because I feel that both teams are going to be extremely competitive this season, but the Lions beat the Packers twice last year. People are expecting Detroit to make it back to the playoffs and push for a championship appearance, while many are hoping that Green Bay can have another solid season. If the Lions do in fact throw the first punch, then I think we are in for an exciting game at Ford Field.

WEEK 2 vs. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

In my opinion, I think that this is going to be a trap game… for the Washington Commanders. I believe that the Packers have the advantage of staying in their home building for a Thursday night matchup against a team that was just in the NFC Championship last year, but this is not going to be any type of cakewalk. The biggest reason why Washington is getting all the hype is because their quarterback has emerged as a superstar that lifted them to the conference championship game, so he is hoping that they get further this time around and have a happier ending. The supporting cast around him did not change drastically from last year. Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler have been a solid running back tandem, Terry McLaurin is easily one of the more underappreciated receivers in football, they just acquired Deebo Samuel as an extra option, and Zach Ertz returned to being the reliable security blanket that everybody wants in their offense. Washington also made sure to address its offensive line by trading for Laremy Tunsil, so let’s hope that he is not one of the more penalized tackles in the league this time around. However, it is a group that allowed the seventh most sacks, so it is not like Washington is going to have an unbelievable offense that cannot be stopped. Fortunately, they drafted Josh Connerly Jr. as a future starter at right tackle, so the Commanders made sure to address the two most important positions on that front.

Their defense is a very unique one run by Dan Quinn. They do not have too many household names, but it is a group that is opportunistic and one you do not want to turn the ball over against. Jonathan Allen is gone, but they still have a franchise cornerstone in Da’Ron Payne along with a quality starter in Dorance Armstrong to lead the pass rush. The Commanders are also expecting Jer’Zhawn Newton to take the next step at defensive tackle and even signed Javon Kinlaw to give him a bigger role. Bobby Wagner is still playing at a high level and Frankie Luvu has been more than an exceptional complement to have in the linebacker room, but the secondary is one that I am hoping shows signs of improvement. Hopefully, Marshon Lattimore can have a full and healthy season to remind us why he is still one of the best corners in football. Mike Sainristil will be in the slot and Jonathan Jones is expected to be another outside defender, which is not the most ideal situation, but you at least have proven starters. However, one player that I have high hopes for is safety Quan Martin. He totaled eighty-seven tackles last year and showed up huge in the playoffs, the type of player that Dan Quinn loves to have on a daily basis.

I think that both teams match up incredibly well against one another, and I personally feel that Washington would win if they were at home. However, the Packers have not lost a home game to this team since 1988, and I think that the bright lights on Thursday night gives them the bigger advantage of keeping that streak alive.

WEEK 3 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS

This should be one of the easiest victories of the season for the Packers and it is for one simple reason: the Browns do not have a quarterback. They might have drafted Dillon Gabriel AND Shadeur Sanders, but if the only veteran backups are Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, then that is not the best considering that Deshaun Watson suffered two torn Achilles injuries. It doesn’t help that Nick Chubb is no longer on the roster, despite the fact that he was a shell of himself trying to come back from that knee injury, and then later suffered a broken foot late in the 2024 season. The good news is that Cleveland made sure to draft not one but TWO future running backs to their core! I’m curious to see which one will be the lead between Qunshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, because if I’m being quite honest, I don’t know what role Jerome Ford is going to carve out in this offense. In the passing game, the two main focal points will most likely be Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku, but there need to be more than a few guys that will have to step up. Cedric Tillman, David Bell, and Diontae Johnson are the more notable examples. However, that offensive line really took a huge slide as it allowed the second most sacks in the league. Even with the addition of Teven Jenkins, I do not know if we are going to see any improvement, unless one of these four quarterbacks completely stun us and somehow lift this team to the playoffs.

Their defense is not void of blame because after a dominant 2023 season, they saw signs of regression as well. A lot of it happened to do with the setbacks of the offense, but Myles Garrett was quite possibly the only player showing any form of consistency. One of the boldest moves they made in regards to that defense was to trade down three spots from the second overall pick and select Mason Graham out of Michigan, while receiving a significant package that includes a future first. Jacksonville might have been the lucky ones to select Travis Hunter, but if Graham turns into a successful player, then Cleveland will have little regrets. The rest of their defensive line has a bunch of rotational pieces that can make solid contributions, but the linebacking corps took a hit with Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah ruled out for the season due to a neck injury. Even though they signed Jerome Baker and kept guys like Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks around, the Browns are going to have an average run defense at best. I cannot say anything different for the secondary, because although Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit are absolute studs, the rest of the group could not follow the way. Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome have been massive disappointments, Rayshawn Jenkins is just an okay safety, and it didn’t help that Juan Thornhill left in free agency. Jim Schwartz is one of the smartest defensive minds in the game, but after that dip of a performance last year, who knows which direction they will take this season?

It does not matter if this game turns into a blowout or if it inexplicably comes down to the wire. If the Packers do not find a way to win, then they do not deserve to make it back to the playoffs. The only way I would not be angry is if Cleveland managed to finally find their quarterback of the future.

WEEK 4 @ DALLAS COWBOYS

It is funny to think that this is the first time that these two are playing each other since the infamous Wild Card upset a couple of years ago at AT&T Stadium, when the seventh seeded Packers demolished the number two seed Cowboys 48-32! Now we fast forward two years later and both teams are playing at the same stadium on Sunday Night Football. Just like that playoff game, I see Green Bay winning this game convincingly, to the chagrin of many Cowboys fans across the world. So many think that their team will be a lot better than advertised, but I seriously cannot see how. Dak Prescott is coming back, that is always a great sign. CeeDee Lamb is one of the best receivers in the league, that definitely helps. Micah Parsons, given that he gets his contract extension, is absolutely one of the more unstoppable defensive players in the league. But what do these three have around them? Rico Dowdle left in free agency, which means the only running backs are Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. One of them has not been the same since a season ending injury he suffered a few years ago and another was proved to be nothing more than a system back for the Eagles. The passing game was already reliable with Jake Ferguson and Jalen Tolbert, but acquiring George Pickens was definitely a high-risk and high-reward move. He is extremely talented, but the biggest red flag is that he had character and maturity issues in Pittsburgh, so I really do not know if this was the best change of scenery. The potential is there and I think he and CeeDee form a strong duo on paper, but I need to see how they gel together before I can come to a final conclusion. Fortunately, the offensive line is never an aspect I have to worry about. They drafted Tyler Booker in the first round to replace the recently retired Zach Martin and complement Tyler Smith, their tackles Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele are hoping to improve in 2025, and Cooper Beebe had a strong rookie season at center. With Dak under center, I doubt they will be a top ten offense, but they should be a productive unit against certain opponents. But when it comes to top tier teams, they do not always show up, so that needs to change if they truly want this year to be different.

With Matt Eberflus as the new defensive coordinator, I already know what I am going to get. There will be some games where they make tremendous strides, but then others where they are on their heels way too often. Yes they have Micah and Osa Odighizuwa on the defensive line, they brought back Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland is on the rise, and Sam Williams is returning from injury to step in for DeMarvion Overshown. Yet, I am not exactly confident that Kenneth Murray or Jack Sanborn are going to fix a run defense that was below average last year. Trevon Diggs struggled to return from injury and DaRon Bland is essentially the same type of player, so I don’t have the highest faith in those two as the starting corners despite the fact that they have exceptional hands. I don’t need to worry about the safety room because it already has a ton of depth, but when Dallas cannot generate any pressure, then they better make a ton of plays.

I do not think that this game will be as lopsided as it was two years ago, but the outcome will stay the same. Throughout NFL history, the Packers have had the Cowboys’ number, whether it is at AT&T Stadium or Lambeau Field. Until Dallas can finally prove that they can beat their most hated rivals in the most important games, then all they are going to be viewed as are overrated pretenders.

WEEK 5: BYE WEEK

WEEK 6 vs. CINCINNATI BENGALS

I am absolutely looking forward to this matchup because two top ten quarterbacks will go head-to-head in what should be a down-to-the-wire matchup in Lambeau Field. We already talked about the pros and cons about the Green Bay Packers, but now I think it is time we discuss those of the Cincinnati Bengals. As long as their offense is fully healthy, this team will be a playoff contender. Even though they missed the playoffs, Joe Burrow threw forty-three touchdowns to just nine interceptions and Ja’Marr Chase was the Triple Crown winner. How many teams can they say they have playmakers like those two? Not to mention that Tee Higgins signed a contract extension to make him the highest paid number two option in football, so Cincinnati’s “Big Three” will be in the Jungle for years to come. But let’s not dismiss some of their other playmakers. Chase Brown stood out with 1000 yards from scrimmage in his sophomore year and is poised for a breakout season, Mike Gesicki signed a small extension to remain the security blanket, and Andrei Iosivas is a stud on the rise as he continues to develop upwards. Hopefully, Jermaine Burton shakes off a dismal rookie season, because the talent he showed in college was truly too good to waste. Yet, the one weak link that always leaves me cautious about this team is their offensive line. Cutting Alex Cappa was a start, but I don’t know if it truly fixed everything. They allowed forty-eight sacks the season before, so even though they have a boatload of talent on the offensive side of the ball, it might be another wasted season if Burrow cannot stay in the pocket.

We all know what is going to hold the Bengals back from making the playoffs and that is their defense. Sure, they let go of Lou Anarumo and replaced him with Al Golden. But that side of the ball still has so many flaws and weaknesses. For starters, not only is Trey Hendrickson holding out for a new deal, but so is their first round pick Shemar Stewart! Cincinnati already lost Sam Hubbard due to retirement, so if they lose two of the only guys that will keep this defense relevant, then that is just going to give the secondary even more trouble. Cam Taylor-Britt is probably the only notable player on that unit, but he is another player that has been inconsistent throughout his career. Geno Stone has not been the difference maker the Bengals were expecting, even with a late turnaround. Even their run defense was a massive flaw, although Logan Wilson finished 2024 with over 100 tackles. Maybe Oren Burks can stabilize things since he is a solid rotational piece, but you can only ask but so much.

This matchup can go either way since this is taking place in Lambeau Field, but I think that both teams matchup incredibly well against one another. The only reason why I am giving Cincinnati the slight advantage is because I think their offense has just a little more firepower, despite the fact that their defense has so many question marks they need to answer.

WEEK 7 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Packers and Cardinals have a very underrated history that I do not think gets talked about enough. The two times they met each other in the playoffs turned out to be some of the best games I ever witnessed. I remember when Arizona started off the season undefeated in 2021, only for it to come to an end against a Green Bay team without their top three wide receivers. It is too bad that this year’s game will not be on a primetime stage, but I am absolutely looking forward to this one. Kyler Murray did not have a hard time bouncing back from his torn ACL and showed that this is still his team for the foreseeable future, James Conner is still a workhorse at running back, and Marvin Harrison Jr. established himself as the focal point of the passing game. Trey McBride rightfully earned a contract extension to make him the highest paid tight end in the NFL, but I am curious to see how Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are going to perform in what should be make-or-break seasons for both receivers in the league. The fact that Arizona has one of the best offensive lines in football after being such a garbage heap a few seasons ago should indicate that this unit will be very efficient. The question is can they be consistent, because that has been the biggest con of Kyler Murray’s tenure in the NFL.

What I was really more impressed with was their defense with Jonathan Gannon leading the charge. I still feel their pass rush can get a lot better, but totaling forty-one sacks last year showed promising signs of improvement. It is why they drafted Walter Nolen with their first round pick and signed Josh Sweat to a long-term deal, giving players like Darius Robinson and Baron Browning chances to have improved in the 2025 campaigns. I am also expecting the run defense to get better because even though they have Zaven Collins, there is a reason why Arizona signed a proven veteran in Dalvin Tomlinson. The secondary is also an above average unit that at least made the effort of adding a potential number one corner by drafting Will Johnson in the second round, so that should take a lot of pressure off of Budda Baker’s shoulders. It is still a very young group, so I am anxious to see which guys are going to step up, especially as we approach the second half of the season.

Kyler Murray has yet to beat the Packers in his career, so while that streak has a chance of coming to end at home, I would have to believe until I actually see it myself. The only way for Green Bay to ensure it continues is if they do not get in their own way because Arizona is the type of team that can flip the switch once they force one tiny mistake.

WEEK 8 @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Now this is the game I know that every Packers fan in the world, let alone the country, is going to watch from start to finish. Why? The Steelers signed a new quarterback not too long ago: Aaron Rodgers. This will be the first time he will be going up against his former team since leaving in 2023, so he will hope to become just the fourth quarterback to beat every NFL team in his career. Looking at the scope and magnitude of this game, I can see his name being added to the list, especially since the Steelers have been a decent football team over the last decade plus. Najee Harris is gone, but Jaylen Warren has always been a huge focal point of this offense, and I think rookie Kaleb Johnson could mold in well with Arthur Smith’s system. George Pickens got traded, yet DK Metcalf is always a receiver that any quarterback would love to have. Hopefully, he shows more consistency in his play because he is incredibly athletic and physical, but you do not see it as often as you would hope. Pat Freiermuth is always a serviceable security blanket, Calvin Austin shows plenty of flashes with his speed, and Roman Wilson is trying to bounce back after an injury-riddled rookie year. However, the offensive line brings up a lot of concerns as they allowed the ninth most sacks in the NFL. Dan Moore Jr. left in free agency, which will make Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones the two startling tackles for the season, so let’s see if that is a move that will pay off over time.

Whether the Steelers make the playoffs or not, I seriously doubt that defense is going to regress. That is if TJ Watt clears up whatever issues he might have with the front office. Otherwise, they are screwed. As much as I love guys like Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward, they will not have a pass rush without the former Defensive Player of the Year. We can only hope that rookie Derrick Harmon can have an instant impact on that line because that would be absolutely critical. The linebacking room is a deep one per usual, and I think it will get even stronger with Jack Sawyer as a late draft addition, but I hope they do not wear down like they did last year before. As for the secondary, it is also a well respected group that just got stronger. Darius Slay might not be the corner that he was in his prime but he can still play at a high level and complement a shutdown beast in Joey Porter Jr. The same goes with safety Juan Thornhill to help out Minkah Fitzpatrick. They will be the biggest reason why this Steelers team is competitive, but if their offense is near the bottom of the dumpster, then it is going to be an exhausted group as the season progresses.

Remember what I said two years ago the last time that these two teams played each other in Pittsburgh? That the Packers have not been able to win there in over fifty years? Well now that Aaron Rodgers is on the other side, that streak might continue for another season. The only way for the script to be flipped is if Jordan Love has the game of his life and proves to the organization that he should have started sooner than the future Hall of Famer.

WEEK 9 vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS

This is another game that I can see go either way because the Panthers finally have some hope for the first time in forever. After seeing his career nearly get destroyed to begin the 2024 season, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completely rebounded down the stretch and is now a sign of optimism rather than the biggest liability. Head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan are hoping that he and the rest of this offense can pick up where they left off, because they showed more positive flashes than they did in the last five years. Chuba Hubbard emerged as one of the best running backs in the league and he will have a nice right hand man in Rico Dowdle to step in when needed. Adam Thielen is not getting any younger, but that is a reason why Carolina used their first round pick to draft Tet McMillian, who will join a receiving corps featuring Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. They also have a rising tight end in Ja’Tavion Sanders that will be seeking more opportunities, along with an offensive line that only let up thirty-six sacks. I do not think they will be a top ten unit right away, but if Carolina continues to head into the right direction, then they can absolutely be one of the more efficient offenses in the league.

However, I think the true X factor of this team is their defense, which was a disaster last year. It ranked dead last in total yards, passing, and points. They had the fourth fewest sacks and totaled nine interceptions, with a lot of it attributed to guys like Derrick Brown and Shaq Thompson missing the entire season. Brown will be returning, along with highly touted cornerback Jaycee Horn, but I do not think that this unit got drastically better. I like Tershawn Wharton, Christian Rozeboom, Tre’von Moehrig, and Pat Jones II. I think those are highly respected players that will be beneficial to this group. Yet, are those three really going to move the needle? Their leading tackle Xavier Woods is gone, Josey Jewell was okay, and neither Jadeveon Clowney nor DJ Wonnum made a difference on the defensive line. We knew that defensive coordinator Ejero Evero was going to have his hands full, but I seriously cannot tell if this group will overachieve or not. As much as I want them to, this team does not have the right personnel to do that at the moment, unless their offense turns back the clock a decade and starts ripping everyone’s hearts out.

The only reason why I am picking the Packers to hang on is because they are at home. However, if the Panthers truly prove that the second half of last season was not just an accident, then there is no question that they can pull off a huge upset on the road.

WEEK 10 vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Although the Packers lost to the Eagles twice last year, neither of these games were in Lambeau Field. The first matchup was in Brazil on opening week, while the second was in the Wild Card round at Lincoln Financial Field. Yes, Philadelphia proved to be the better football team in both fights, but now it is time to see what will happen in the Frozen Tundra. Winning this game is way easier said than done. I won’t be like a bunch of national media pundits and say that Philadelphia is starting a dynasty, but they are the most feared team in the NFC. Jalen Hurts finally got the respect he deserved by winning a championship and the game’s MVP, because when Philadelphia’s best player Saquon Barkley was held in check, it was the quarterback that rose up to the moment and redeemed himself from two years ago. Thankfully, the offense from that season will be back. Saquon is still at the peak prime of his career, the Eagles have one of the best receiving duos featuring AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, but one of the best news of the offseason was that they found a way to keep tight end Dallas Goedert for the foreseeable future. The offensive line has four of its five starters returning, so this offense should still be dominant on paper. The last thing Philadelphia wants, however, is a repeat of what happened two years ago. They might have finished with a winning season and a playoff appearance, but they collapsed after a 10-1 start and got demolished in the Wild Card with two different coordinators than the ones they had in their first Super Bowl matchup against the Chiefs.

Thankfully, Vic Fangio will still be in charge of the defense, which means you should not experience a setback any time soon. Even though they lost a ton of pieces in the offseason, Philly is deciding to focus on its youth to keep their repeat chances alive. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis will be the two key pieces to their defensive line, with assistance from Nolan Smith and perhaps Jalyx Hunt coming around the edge. In the second level, Zack Baun will be the quarterback of the unit as he is coming off of a breakout season, with the confidence that he will come out stronger this year. With help from Nakobe Dean and rookie Jihaad Campbell, I don’t expect that run defense to get worse. The secondary is where it gets really interesting because even though they are still young, both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean formed into a lethal cornerback tandem. Reed Blankenship has evolved into a legitimate starting safety and Sydney Brown is hoping to reach that level, so there is depth in that group as well. I don’t think that defense will be as dominant as it was the year before, especially since there will be a lot more inexperienced guys being thrusted into starting positions, but then I remember what happened in 2023. When they lost to Kansas City, the Eagles had the best defense in football. One year later, they were one of the worst. It was the biggest reason why Philadelphia fell apart after such a strong start, so my fear is that it could happen again, especially since it will be a younger unit.

Matt LaFleur is currently 5-0 on Monday night games at home, so while the Eagles might be the better football team, I think that the Packers can get some needed revenge and make a couple of plays that shift the tide around. If this were in Philadelphia, I would say that Green Bay loses for the third time in a row, but not at Lambeau Field.

WEEK 11 @ NEW YORK GIANTS

On the surface, this should look like an easy victory for the Packers because the Giants are in dire straits right now. They signed Russell Wilson, then traded up for Jaxson Dart in the first round. They have a promising running back in Tyrone Tracy, but drafted Cam Skattebo. Malik Nabers is a stud at wide receiver, but the next best options are Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, both inconsistent in their respective positions. At least Andrew Thomas is coming back to stabilize the offensive line, but with the uncertainty at the quarterback position, who knows how many times that group will be set up to fail? One more horrid start and John Mara is cleaning house.

Hopefully, the defense emerges out of the shadows and gives us promising flashes throughout the season. Their pass rush is stacked with the likes of Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence. They added Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris to solidify that front, but the run defense has been underwhelming with Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden leading the way. What I am really going to pay attention to is their secondary because the Giants made sure to overhaul it in the offseason. They brought in Paulson Adebo to be their number one corner, signed the best safety in free agency in Jevon Holland to man the deep end, and are hoping for breakout seasons from Andru Phillips and Tyler Nubin. Yet, the biggest disappointment in that group has been Deonte Banks, who has not lived up to the first round pedigree he had as he allowed six touchdowns just last season.

If I had to take a guess on what the Giants do by the time this game arrives, I would say that the owner John Mara pulled the plug on the Brian Daboll-Joe Schoen era, and then the coaching staff made the decision to bench Russell Wilson for the upstart rookie Jaxson Dart. I do not see this as a blowout by any means necessary, but having said all of this, I think it will be a trap game for the Packers. They absolutely are the better team by every conceivable metric, but look at what happened just a couple years ago between Green Bay and New York at MetLife Stadium on Monday Night Football. If Tommy DeVito can upset Jordan Love, then who is to say that a first round pick would not be able to do well in what is most likely going to be his first start? Heck, I would say that Russell Wilson could get a win if he does not turn out to be a disaster!

WEEK 12 vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

This is another divisional series that I do not see ending in a sweep, especially when I look at the history between these two teams over the last four years. Any time that they go up against each other for the first time, Minnesota usually throws the first punch, regardless of the location. When they meet again, Green Bay is not afraid to have the last laugh. Last year, Sam Darnold beat this team twice, so who is to say that JJ McCarthy will not get at least one win with essentially the same supporting cast? Let’s start with Justin Jefferson, who is still to this day the best receiver in football. If he gets doubled, then McCarthy will have Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, along with a trusted security blanket in TJ Hockenson. In the backfield, Aaron Jones does not seem to have lost a step and is still one of the best flexible backs in the league. Their offensive line retooled in the offseason, letting go of their biggest liabilities and replacing them with potential gems. They signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency and then drafted Donovan Jackson in the first round, pairing them with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.

Their defense under Brian Flores was one of the more promising units to watch. They led the league in takeaways, allowed the fifth fewest points, tied for fourth in sacks, and gave up the second fewest rushing yards. The only category that this defense did not excel in was their pass defense, but those previous statistics I mentioned prove that this is a “bend but do not break” group. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel thrived in their first seasons with the team by totaling double-digit sacks, and then they beefed up the trenches with the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Just imagine what happens if Dallas Turner breaks out in his sophomore season. Patrick Jones II unfortunately departed in free agency, but their linebacker corps is still intact with Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman hoping to stabilize things with their run defense. The secondary is where it gets interesting because while they have a deep safety group and a number one corner in Byron Murphy, I do not like that their replacement for Stephon Gilmore was Isaiah Rodgers. Not to mention that their backups are Jeff Okudah and Ambry Thomas. I think that we are going to get more or less the same production from this defense as last year, but it is their quarterback that will be the ultimate X factor.

Like I said, I think that the Vikings will win round one, even though this is in Lambeau Field. However, I believe that Green Bay will have something to say when they see each other again in Minneapolis.

WEEK 13 @ DETROIT LIONS

Another memorable matchup from a couple of years ago took place on Thanksgiving afternoon, when the Packers entered Ford Field and stunned the Lions with a 29-22 victory. Rashan Gary had three sacks, Jordan Love was efficient throwing the football, and too many mistakes on Detroit’s end resulted in a defeat. I do not know if we are going to get a similar script, but I think that Green Bay is too likeable of a team to get swept by a division rival, so this should be a fun way to start a beloved holiday.

WEEK 14 vs. CHICAGO BEARS

Last season, the Bears finally managed to beat the Packers at Lambeau Field. Yet, the tiny asterisk behind it is that it was in the regular season finale when Green Bay already clinched a postseason spot and put in their backups for the second half. However, now that Ben Johnson is the new head coach, Chicago is trying to make this their biggest statement win of the season. It is redundant to say that this is finally the year that this organization turn things around, but this year has to be different. Caleb Williams is hoping to take a huge leap into his sophomore season, perhaps proving that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron really was a hack and should not have been the guy to guide him in his rookie year. Entering 2025, the pieces are more and less the same, but they are hoping to improve as well. D’Andre Swift is still a capable running back, DJ Moore is a number one option for any quarterback in the NFL, Cole Kmet is always a serviceable tight end, and Rome Odunze is hoping to make sure that his second year is a breakout one. However, I think that there are definitely a couple of additions that could make a difference. The fact that wide receiver Luther Burden fell to the second round was absolutely shocking because he is an incredible playmaker that can take off after the catch, so this is definitely somebody that Caleb would absolutely dream to have as a teammate. In the first round, the Bears drafted a stunner in tight end Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren, but Ben Johnson knew that this guy would fit the Sam LaPorta mold perfectly. Loveland is also going to give Kmet something to think about in training camp, because if he develops in the right direction, then the starting job for tight end is definitely going to change hands at some point in the season. The biggest improvements that Chicago made with their offense revolved around their line. They traded for a four-time champion in All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, made another trade for Jonah Jackson, and signed the best free agent center in Drew Dalman. You pair those three with Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, that is a solid line. Last year, it was a complete abomination as it gave up the most sacks in the entire NFL, so Johnson is hoping that they make a very quick turnaround.

Despite the Bears defense finishing tenth in takeaways, this unit was average at best. They allowed the sixth most yards in football, ranked sixteenth in both passing and sacks, finished the fifth worst in rushing yards allowed, and placed thirteenth in points given up. I really don’t see Dennis Allen as an upgrade over Matt Eberflus, but he is at least a better coordinator than a head coach. The biggest moves that Chicago made with its defense in free agency is with the defensive line, just to make sure that the identity was not “Montez Sweat or bust.” By the way, he only had 5.5 sacks in 2024. Fortunately, he has a lot more help around him this time. Dayo Odeyingbo got himself a big contract of $48 million over three years, and even though I think they overpaid a tad too much for Grady Jarrett, he is at least a proven pass rusher that might have just needed a change of scenery. What I want to see, though, is the younger guys stepping up. This means that Chris Williams, Austin Booker, and Gervon Dexter are going to need to post bigger numbers. Otherwise, it won’t be long before Ryan Poles sends any one of them to another organization. In the linebacker room, they still have Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards as a rock-solid duo, but they also need to prove that whatever happened last year was just a fluke. The secondary is still an opportunistic unit with a lot of key playmakers. Jaylon Johnson is easily a top three cornerback, Jaquan Brisker is one of the most underappreciated safeties in football when he is on the field, Tyrique Stevenson still has plenty of room to grow, and Kyler Gordon will hope to have a bounce-back year as well. I’m not saying that this defense is going to be great, but if Ben Johnson can get the offense back on track, then there won’t be an overwhelming amount of pressure that they have to drag throughout the season.

I do not see this being a cakewalk by any means necessary, but I have faith that the Packers should beat their little brother at home. However, these two teams play each other again in a couple of weeks, so that will be the true challenge that Green Bay will have to overcome.

WEEK 15 @ DENVER BRONCOS

Any time that the Broncos are good, they have one of the toughest home field advantages in all of sports, let alone the NFL. To the Packers, this is the definition of a bad matchup. The Denver offense was not the strongest unit in the league, but thanks to Sean Payton, their signal caller Bo Nix managed to improve week after week and blossomed as a face of the franchise. However, I did not see their offense get drastically better in the offseason. They did not solve a ton of their issues with the running game, their only notable signing on that front was tight end Evan Engram, and they did not sign another veteran wide receiver to aid Courtland Sutton. My guess is that Payton wants some of the younger players like Devaughn Vele, Marvin Mims, and especially Troy Franklin to form themselves into a legitimate receiving corps. Thankfully, they have one of the more improved offensive lines in the league, so it is not like they will not be given the chance to succeed.

What makes this a drastic challenge is the Broncos defense, which surged in several categories. They led the league in sacks, finished third in rush yards allowed and points allowed, and ranked eighth in takeaways. Their pass rush has an abundance of key playmakers starting with Nik Bonitto and working down to the likes of John Franklin-Myers, Zach Allen, and Jonathon Cooper. Denver boosted their run defense by signing Dre Greenlaw to boost the younger guys like Dondrea Tillman and Jonah Elliss. Did I forget to mention that Alex Singleton is coming back from a torn ACL? The secondary, however, is the most lethal group in my opinion. They have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Patrick Surtain II. They drafted Jahdae Barron in the first round as an elite second option. Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones are the two spearheads at safety, while JaQuan McMillian will secure his spot as the nickel back. I never thought Vance Joseph of all coordinators would be the one to put that defense in this position, but he has done a tremendous job over the last season and a half, meaning that he could get another chance to be a head coach.

I would definitely have the Packers winning if this were in Lambeau Field, but if things continue to head into the right direction for the Broncos, then this is one game that they are winning by nine or ten points. The only way I can see the opposite is if Bo Nix has a turnover-laden season that ruins the team’s chances of making the playoffs again.

WEEK 16 @ CHICAGO BEARS

When the Packers and Bears met at Soldier Field last season, it came down to a last-second field goal for Cairo Santos to pull off the upset, and Karl Brooks saved the day for Green Bay by blocking it to hold on 20-19. If the Bears do not win in Lambeau Field, then they are going to be even more energized to keep any sort of hope alive with a win in the Windy City.

WEEK 17 vs. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Jaire Alexander will be back in Lambeau Field, but it will be as a member of the Baltimore Ravens! Not only is this team also a respected playoff contender, but they have bigger aspirations on their minds. Lamar Jackson is a two time MVP for a reason, and if it were not for a certain Josh Allen fellow, then there is no question that he would have won his third. Besides him, the rest of the team has a boatload of talent that should be a championship contender. Derrick Henry proved that not only is he still the King, but he is easily one of the top two running backs in all of football. What I’ve been more impressed with is how well the Ravens opened up the passing game. Zay Flowers has slowly but surely emerged as a number one option and Rashod Bateman has not done too bad as a number two. But now that DeAndre Hopkins has been added to the mix, Lamar will have more than just Mark Andrews or Isaiah Likely to lean on as a security blanket. The biggest win of their offseason, in my opinion, was bringing back Ronnie Stanley. He turned more money down to stay with Baltimore, so as long as he stays healthy, he will be a huge investment that will pay off. The interior still gives me some concern, but with Lamar under center, it should not be too huge of a liability.

Hopefully this time, the defense will stay consistent all season long, rather than just wait until the second half of the season to show up. The pass rush has really come alive in the last two years, led by Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy, but players like Odafe Oweh and Tavius Robinson have really stepped into the fold in a positive way. The Ravens also drafted Mike Green in the second round, who led the FBS in sacks last year, so it will be interesting to see what type of role he can carve out in Zach Orr’s system. In the second level, there is nothing else to say about Roquan Smith besides the fact that he is the best middle linebacker in the league. Trenton Simpson really stepped up as the right-hand man and those two are why Baltimore allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league. What really stepped up in the second half of the season, though, was their secondary. Marlon Humphrey still proved that he was one of the best cover corners in the league, but with Kyle Hamilton as the deep safety, they exploded and took off. If Jaire Alexander can stay healthy, then this group will be even more lethal, especially since Ar’Darius Washington and Nate Wiggins are expected to have bigger roles. To top it off, I think that the safety room will be better with Malaki Starks jumping on as a first round pick.

Lamar Jackson has only lost to two NFC teams in his career: the Philadelphia Eagles and ironically the New York Giants with Daniel Jones. Yet, the only time the Ravens won in Lambeau Field was in 2017, when Aaron Rodgers fractured his collarbone and Brett Hundley got shut out 23-0. Having said that, I think that Baltimore just has a stronger football team and it is going to require a miraculous performance from Jordan Love to keep their playoff hopes alive.

WEEK 18 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS

My prediction is that this matchup is “win or go home” for both teams. One winner moves on to the playoffs and the other is on their couches in January and February. I already said that the Vikings usually throw the first punch, but it is time for Green Bay to fight back. There is going to be scrapping and clawing for sixty minutes straight, yet this series is too good for it to end with a sweep for the second year in a row.

FINAL RECORD PREDICTION: 9-8