
2015 Record: 10-6
2016 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 10.5
2016 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'
When is a 10-win regular season campaign, a postseason win, and a trip to the Divisional Round of the playoffs considered a failure? When you entered the season as the odds-on favorite to represent your conference in the Super Bowl.
The Packers have virtually the same team heading into 2016 as they had on the eve of 2015. Yes, Jordy Nelson is back from injury and that should give the offense the boost they were lacking. But it is essentially the same group. So whether you think that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on your perspective of what this team's realistic capabilities are.
Green Bay's point differential was just plus-45 last season. In 2013 it was -11, the second lowest of the Mike McCarthy era, and the team went 8-7-1 and in 2008 it was just plus-39 and they went 6-10. In a way, last year's team actually overachieved.
The Packers haven't been subtle about the focus of their offense for this season. They have run the ball an average of 40 times per game this preseason. Part of that was Aaron Rodgers sitting the first two games. But I believe part of it is McCarthy reading the landscape of the sport and understanding that the toughest teams with the best ground games are the ones ringing up titles these days.
As long as the Packers have Rodgers they have a chance. He is an all-time great but proved last year that even he needs some help. Nelson and Randall Cobb need to stay healthy for this attack to flourish.
I still think that the Packers are too soft defensively to be considered a true title threat. Their complete (and irrational) aversion to free agency has created a situation where their mediocre defense just refuses to get better. The secondary has some solid contributors. But Clay Matthews and aging Julius Peppers are probably the only two guys in the front seven that would make any other teams. That simply isn't enough.
I do, however, like the attitude that I've seen from the Pack this preseason. It is as if they realize that the throw-happy, outscore-your-opponent approach that got them their first title almost a decade ago is no longer viable in the NFC. If you want to win this conference you need to be physical and you need to be tough. I don't think they have the depth to make good on last year's title chances. But I do think that this team will be improved and that could mean 11 or 12 wins. Play 'over'.
Packers Regular Season Schedule (All Times Eastern)
WEEK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME (ET) |
Location |
Result |
1 |
Sun, Sep 11th, 2016 |
at Jacksonville |
01:00 PM |
EverBank Field |
|
2 |
Sun, Sep 18th, 2016 |
at Minnesota |
08:30 PM |
U.S. Bank Stadium |
|
3 |
Sun, Sep 25th, 2016 |
Detroit |
01:00 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
4 |
Bye |
||||
5 |
Sun, Oct 9th, 2016 |
Ny_Giants |
08:30 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
6 |
Sun, Oct 16th, 2016 |
Dallas |
04:25 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
7 |
Thu, Oct 20th, 2016 |
Chicago |
08:25 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
8 |
Sun, Oct 30th, 2016 |
at Atlanta |
01:00 PM |
Georgia Dome |
|
9 |
Sun, Nov 6th, 2016 |
Indianapolis |
04:25 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
10 |
Sun, Nov 13th, 2016 |
at Tennessee |
01:00 PM |
Nissan Stadium |
|
11 |
Sun, Nov 20th, 2016 |
at Washington |
08:30 PM |
FedEx Field |
|
12 |
Mon, Nov 28th, 2016 |
at Philadelphia |
08:30 PM |
Lincoln Financial Field |
|
13 |
Sun, Dec 4th, 2016 |
Houston |
01:00 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
14 |
Sun, Dec 11th, 2016 |
Seattle |
04:25 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
15 |
Sun, Dec 18th, 2016 |
at Chicago |
01:00 PM |
Soldier Field |
|
16 |
Sat, Dec 24th, 2016 |
Minnesota |
01:00 PM |
Lambeau Field |
|
17 |
Sun, Jan 1st, 2017 |
at Detroit |
01:00 PM |
Ford Field |
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