I’m the biggest homer there is when it comes to the Green Bay Packers. Speculation always excites me when I see the paid professional experts calling for the Green & Gold’s ceiling to be exceptionally high based on their strength of schedule and their new, revamped roster, which includes as always Aaron Rodgers. While I think the defense will be increasingly improved under second-year defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, the biggest determinant of this team’s success will be their new offense under first year coach Matt LaFleur. As a Packer fan living outside of the Twin Cities, it’s been a long couple of years; let’s see if they can get it done this year.

 

These are my realistic (sometimes unrealistic) predictions week by week with some individual performances as well. I’m not an expert by any means, I just blog every now and again. But this is my fan perspective – let me know your thoughts below:

 

Week 1: at the Chicago Bears (Thursday 9/5, 7:20 PM CDT on NBC)

Ah, yes. A rematch of last year’s Week 1 opener to kick off the 100th year of professional football under the bright lights of Soldier’s Field. We didn’t get to see the first team offense in the preseason (Head Coach Matt LaFleur kept Rodgers & company off the field in Winnipeg due to field conditions, plus Rodgers rested with a sore back.) Personally, not the easiest way to kick off your season – I think the Bears’ strength is in their defense, Mitchell Trubisky is extremely overrated and the offense just adapts to him. I’d expect a low scoring affair, but as much as I hate to say it, I see Khalil Mack and the Bears giving the Packers fits. If the Packers can keep it close, it’ll be interesting (Bears 17, Packers 13. GB 0-1)

 

Week 2: host the Minnesota Vikings (Sunday 9/15, NOON on FOX)

Last year, week 2, I was down in Southern Wisconsin at a wedding and spent the Sunday afternoon watching the power struggle between the truest rivalry in the NFC North. I still laugh that the Vikings gave up a 5th round pick on a kicker that they would later waive and who is now with the Jets in Kaare Vedvik. I don’t think the Vikings improved their offensive line at all. Kirk Cousins isn’t worth $84 million, Packers cruise in this one, and should be proud of themselves after two divisional matchups. (Packers 28, Vikings 13. GB 1-1)

Week 3: host the Denver Broncos (Sunday 9/22, NOON on FOX)

Quarterback Joe Flacco brings the Broncos into Lambeau Field with a new look team from the last time the Green & Gold matched up with them. I still think the Broncos defense is a cause for concern, but I expect to see the same old Joe Flacco and team. Packers are able to make enough plays, and sneak a good victory from a much-improved opponent. (Packers 23, Broncos 21. GB 2-1)

Week 4: host the Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday 9/26, 7:20 PM on NFLN)

Probably one of my favorite matchups of the season as I’m a huge fan of former NDSU star QB Carson Wentz. The Eagles are a year removed from their Super Bowl run to Minneapolis. I’m expecting a shootout on a short week, the defense may get a good test at a deep Eagles offense with all the tools that they have. I see the Packers on the short end of the stick, with some time to recover before they head down to the Big D and I don’t mean Dallas. (Eagles 38, Packers 35 in OT. GB 2-2)

 

Week 5: at the Dallas Cowboys (Sunday 10/6, 3:25 PM on FOX)

I’m fully expecting Joe Buck & Troy Aikman to call this game. They call almost every single Cowboys game and they did the last time the Packers were in town. Aside from the point (which I am one of the few who likes Joe Buck) – with Zeke back on a new contract and Dak Prescott at the helm, should we expect another shootout? I’d say so. But Aaron Rodgers always plays well in Dallas. The Packers go into Cowboys Stadium well-rested, and put up big numbers on turf. The Packers offense probably has their best field day of the season to this point, and that says a lot with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch across from Aaron Rodgers. (Packers 41, Cowboys 35. GB 3-2)

 

Week 6: host the Detroit Lions (Monday 10/14, 7:15 PM on ESPN)

Monday Night Football at Lambeau– not what it used to be. They need to bring back this intro video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8LLKO0-PAE

I think Detroit will be one of the worst teams in the league. Sorry Lions fans, I don’t see the potential nor the hype. The Packers make QB Matthew Stafford look silly. Stafford throws 3 picks, the Packers get revenge for their latest struggles against the Motor City – Lions head coach Matt Patricia is seen on the sidelines with that pencil scratching his head since he can’t figure out that new Packers offense. (Packers 34, Lions 20. GB 4-2)

Week 7: host the Oakland Raiders (Sunday 10/20, NOON on CBS)

Now, here’s a team that is still a cause for concern to the Green & Gold. The Packers are still trying to recover from their MNF hangover against the Lions, and as new head coach Matt LaFleur comes into the locker room with one of the best halftime speeches of the season to this point, and gets the Green & Gold to get off their ass and back into the ballgame. He doesn’t give a shit about audibles. He just wants to win. A Mason Crosby field goal is the difference in this one, as Raiders head coach Jon Gruden can be seen shaking his head once again at his silver & black. To this point, Aaron Rodgers leads the league in touchdown passes, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling is becoming a name in the league that has everyone talking. (Packers 27, Raiders 24. GB 5-2)

 

Week 8: at the Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday 10/27, 7:20 PM on NBC)

Arrowhead is a tough place to play. Remember the Packers of 2011 where they had the best offense in the league and the worst defense in the league? Yeah, I think that this Chiefs team is an exact duplicate of that. The Packers make it interesting on primetime television, but Patrick Mahomes has a trick up his sleeve as he leads the Chiefs down the field in under two minutes to give kicker Harrison Butker a chance to win at the buzzer. Butker nails the chip shot field goal, gives myself enough points for my fantasy league team to knock off @TrevStonePSE in my weekly matchup, and the Chiefs escape with a victory in the biggest and best game of the season (Chiefs 48, Packers 45. GB 5-3)

5-3 through the midway point of the season – very good thus fair under first year head coach Matt LaFleur. Skip Bayless starts talking about the Packers going to the Super Bowl. It’s only week 9.

Week 9: at the Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday 11/3, 3:25 PM on CBS)

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms join us for this one from the booth on CBS. Every team has their worst game of the season at least once, it always happens. For the Packers, it was in late November against the lowly Arizona Cardinals. It happens in LA after the high intensity game at Arrowhead, as back to back weeks on the road against two of the AFCs best ends up hurting the Packers. They need a game like this to get a reality check. Tim Boyle makes his NFL debut to give the Packers a reason not to play Rodgers while down big. (Chargers 31, Packers 14. GB 5-4)

Week 10: host the Carolina Panthers (Sunday 11/10, NOON on FOX)

Carolina is one of those teams that you can’t predict or expect. It’s all about what kind of a player that’ll show up in Cam Newton. Carolina is one of those good teams at the top of the NFC South, along with Atlanta and New Orleans, and they come in battle tested. Can Aaron Rodgers and his offense make it interesting? Sure. Could I see a tie here? I’ll be honest (I think so); partly because I don’t know how the Packers will respond with their bye week being almost to Thanksgiving. We may see those Panthers somehow and someway down the road. Thanks Roger Goodell. (Packers 28, Panthers 28. GB 5-4-1)

 

Week 11: Idle. The Packers don’t play.

You sit at home bored and not sure what to do with your hands. It’s just about rivalry week in college football. But too late for a bye week. Analysts discuss whether or not the Packers are for real. You contemplate yourself as you sit in your deer stand during deer season drinking an ice cold Michgolden Light. You’ll know by now whether or not your fantasy team will be winning or losing you money. Let’s hope they don’t write a blog about your struggles to embarrass you with the rest of the world. (Packers don’t play, GB 5-4-1)

Week 12: at the San Francisco 49ers (Sunday 11/24, 3:25PM on FOX)

As you are processing venison from your kitchen, you turn on football for the first time in two weeks to see the boys back in action. You’re glad to see the Green & Gold back on the gridiron well rested and ready to make a run to get back to the postseason. As your grinding, you see Aaron Rodgers dropping dimes to UW-Whitewater wideout Jake Kumerow, who has emerged as his second favorite weapon behind Davante Adams. The Packers win big, and continue to prove those doubters wrong. (Packers 37, Niners 23, GB 6-4-1)

Week 13: at the New York Giants (Sunday 12/1, NOON on FOX)

Welcome to December and the Meadowlands! In the first NFL game for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, as Eli Manning has played poorly to his grave. Running Back sensation Saquon Barkley is bottled up by the Green Bay frontline. Aaron Rodgers continues to Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones eclipses 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, and undrafted rookie widehout Darrius Shepherd returns the opening kickoff to the house. You aren’t worried. (Packers 38, Giants 6, GB 7-4-1)

Week 14: host the Washington Redskins (Sunday 12/8, NOON on FOX)

The Redskins have maybe one win. Or two. Either way, not stopping the Packers. As the snow begins to fall at Lambeau Field, bulldozer Jamaal Williams takes the handout and pulls off one of the best runs of the NFL season, pulling a Marshawn Lynch at taking it to the house on a 70-yard run. It’s the longest run in years. The Packers face their second rookie quarterback in many weeks, as they sack Dwayne Haskins not once, not twice, not three times, but 8 times. Cheesehead Za’Darius Smith has four sacks himself. The league is reminded once again that the Packers play great football in December. (Packers 41, Redskins 10, GB 8-4-1)

Week 15: host the Chicago Bears (Sunday 12/15, NOON on FOX)

Revenge. The Packers remember what happened in the opener. The offense is clicking on all cylinders. The Bears defense? They are around – the Packers don’t score as much as previous weeks, but the cold air of Lambeau Field is enough to bottle Trubisky, as he struggles once again in front of the Packers defense. The Packers get a much needed win to help boost in the playoff standings. The Bears kicker missed all of his extra points, the football is too hard to kick. The Packers will close out their 2019 campaign at Lambeau with a win, which is important, since no team from the West Coast wants to come to frigid Lambeau Field in January. (Packers 17, Bears 12, GB 9-4-1)

Week 16: at the Minnesota Vikings (Monday 12/23, 7:15PM on ESPN)

The Vikings are desperate for a win. At U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the Vikings defense comes alive and gives their faithful a needed victory to send their fans happy for Christmas. The Packers look back on this game as one where they could’ve bottled up the divisional championship and a playoff spot, but that’s okay, next week, there’s the Motor City & Ford Field. I get crap from the annoying Viking fans that I work with (I live in Minnesota), but I’ll have the last laugh in the end. (Vikings 20, Packers 17, GB 9-5-1)

Week 17: at the Detroit Lions (Sunday 12/29, NOON on FOX)

The Vikings are back at home against the Bears to close out their 2019 campaign, where history repeats itself. Kirk Cousins, again, doesn’t play to what he is worth. He is shown arguing with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs once again. Trubisky doesn’t play well either, and it’s a defensive game. Tarik Cohen runs a punt return back to give the Bears somewhat of a chance to snag a wild card spot, but they don’t. Meanwhile, in Detroit:

In what will Lions head coach Matt Patricia’s last game in the Motor City, Aaron Rodgers finishes his MVP campaign in 2019 on a high note. He throws his league leading 47th touchdown pass, as well as giving Davante Adams his 15th touchdown catch of the season. The Lions don’t know what hit them. They start a complete recycle of the franchise, they look to the future and expect to go get a quarterback that they can groom behind Stafford. I heard Tua would be a great choice. (Packers 35, Lions 10, GB finishes 10-5-1)

 

My General NFL Predictions & Awards Ceremony

Order of Finish

NFC East: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

NFC North: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Lions

NFC South: Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Buccaneers

NFC West: Rams, Seahawks, Niners, Cardinals

Playoff Teams & Seeds: (1) Saints (2) Eagles (3) Rams (4) Packers (5) Panthers (6) Seahawks

NFC Divisional Round: (1) Saints over (6) Seahawks, (2) Eagles over (4) Packers

NFC Championship: (1) Saints over (2) Eagles

AFC East: Patriots, Jets, Bills, Dolphins

AFC North: Browns, Steelers, Ravens, Bengals

AFC South: Texans, Jaguars, Colts, Titans

AFC West: Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Raiders

Playoff Teams & Seeds: (1) Chiefs (2) Patriots (3) Browns (4) Texans (5) Chargers (6) Steelers

AFC Divisional Round: (1) Chiefs over (5) Chargers, (2) Patriots over (3) Browns

AFC Championship: (1) Chiefs over (2) Patriots

Super Bowl: New Orleans Saints over the Kansas City Chiefs

Super Bowl MVP: Drew Brees, Saints

NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Comeback Player of the Year: Carson Wentz, Eagles

Coach of the Year: Freddie Kitchens, Browns

Rookie of the Year: Kyler Murray, Cardinals

NFL Draft Order: (1) Redskins (2) Bengals (3) Dolphins (4) Lions (5) Giants

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