Packers look to continue their NFC North dominance
NFL is king. There is no way to deny this. When the 2017 NFL schedule was released every fan of their respective team dropped everything and went to look at the schedule. They went game-by-game predicting their wins and losses (unbiasedly of course).
In the end, fans predictions of their favorite team’s record usually aren’t close. Obviously, they tend to be cautiously more optimistic. Let’s take a look at the Green Bay Packers 2017 with a game-by-game analysis and final score predictions.
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Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks
This has become the Packers biggest out of conference rivalry. In the beginning, the Seahawks dominated this rivalry but the tides have shifted as of late. Last year the Packers put a beat down on Seattle in week 14.
Seattle seems to be getting worse every year and Green Bay is on their way up. They have figured out how to contain Russell Wilson. Expect Green Bay to win this game easier than one would think, partially because this is a home game.
Packers 30, Seahawks 17
Week 2: @ Atlanta Falcons
The Packers lost twice to the Falcons last year mainly due to the fact that they have very weak cornerbacks. Don’t expect this game to go the same way the playoff game went. It’s highly doubtful that Mason Crosby will miss a field goal and Aaron Ripkowski will cough up the ball in the RedZone.
That being said the Packers cornerbacks aren’t going to magically be good. Improvement in the secondary will take a few years. This game will be close but the Packers would have to score almost every time they have the ball to win. Atlanta wins at home.
Falcons 34, Packers 31
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Packers’ fans biggest fear should be A.J. Green. The Packers just don’t have the cornerbacks to cover him. Expect Dom Capers to learn from last year and double team these dominant wide receivers. The Bengals are unable to consistently get to Rodgers and do not have enough offense to keep up. Packers win comfortably.
Packers 28, Bengals 17
Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears
While Bears fans are happy to see Jay Cutler go, Packers fans sure aren’t. Although, Packers fans still should have no worries. They have dominated this matchup and should continue to dominate the Bears with Mike Glennon at the helm.
Packers 41, Bears 24
Week 5: @ Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys are going to be looking for revenge after last year’s playoff loss to the Packers. Add that to the fact that this game is in Dallas makes it even tougher Green Bay to win. Ezekiel Elliot will rush for around 150 yards.
Cowboys 31, Packers 27
Week 6: @ Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay lost at Minnesota last year in the Vikings first game in their new stadium. The fans were pumped and the players fed off of them. The Vikings defense has the ability to keep them in the game but Aaron Rodgers does not lose back-to-back games.
Packers 17, Vikings 13
Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are very similar to the Packers. Neither defense can cover while both offenses can air it out. One would expect this game to be a shootout, so bet the over. Whichever team is at home wins. In this case, that is the Packers.
Packers 42, Saints 35
Week 8: BYE
No Injuries. Packers win.
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Unfortunately for the Lions, they get the tall task of facing the Packers off the bye and at Lambeau. Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff will have their team prepared for Matt Stafford. This game will be lower scoring than most expect as the Packers will want to keep Stafford off the field.
Packers 24, Lions 20
Week 10: @ Chicago Bears
Wash, rinse, repeat. Bears just don’t have the talent to beat the Packers right now. Expect a repeat of week 4.
Packers 34, Bears 20
Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens hot start last year was a fluke. They proved every doubter correct by taking a similar path the Vikings did by missing out on the playoffs. Their defense was one of the best in football last year but they couldn’t rush the passer. If you don’t get to Rodgers you are toast.
Packers 21, Ravens 10
Week 12: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers may have the best offensive triple threat in the league with Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. It will be hard for Green Bay’s defense to muster any stops. Add that to the fact that the Steelers defense is improving and they are playing at home. That spells trouble for the Packers.
Steelers 28, Packers 24
Week 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are a young, improving scary team. They present a tough matchup for every defense with Jameis Winston, Mike Evans and now the addition of Desean Jackson.
Not only that, but defensively they have Gerald McCoy, arguably the best defensive tackle in football, along with fast, talented linebackers. In the end, Aaron Rodgers is too good as the end of regular season nears and he gives Green Bay the upper hand.
Packers 28, Buccaneers 27
Week 14: @ Cleveland Browns
There is no doubt who wins this game. Cleveland is still really far away from putting together the pieces they need to put a .500 season together. Rodgers doesn’t play in the fourth quarter and the Packers hardly break a sweat.
Packers 35, Browns 10
Week 15: @ Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had a surprisingly down year in 2016. Expect them to bounce back and look more like the 15-1 team that went to the Super Bowl.
The Panthers will run the ball, then run the ball and then run some more. The game plan will be to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field and it will be effective. Green Bay continues to have trouble against power running football teams year in, and year out. Carolina will take advantage.
Panthers 24, Packers 20
Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers is playing at home against a division rival coming off a lost. He will be focused and locked in. Expect a career game for Aaron Rodgers. He will have over 400 yards passing and 5 touchdowns through the air.
Packers 38, Vikings 27
Week 17: @ Detroit Lions
Packers will be fighting for a one seed in the playoffs so they won’t be resting their starters. The Lions will be at the end of their usual late season collapse. Green Bay proves too much for a Lions team that just wants the pain and suffering to be over with.
Packers 28, Lions 14
Overall: 12-4
The biggest question at the end of the season is will the Packers get a one seed? A 12-4 record in the NFC will put them in a good position to get it. The teams most likely to threaten them for the top spot in the NFC are the Falcons and the Cowboys. The Packers play both of those teams on the road this season, which puts them in a tough spot.
Packers fans should be excited about another successful football season. They have a legitimate chance at getting there and winning it. Everyone knows what Aaron Rodgers brings to the table. The question is what the defense brings. They are key that can unlock the potential of this team.
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