Five months stand between us and the start of the 2024 NFL season. With the NFL Draft pending, and the inevitability of roster changes and injuries, I’m undertaking the task of predicting the record for the 2024 Green Bay Packers.
The Packers’ schedule for the upcoming season is quite challenging, with matchups against teams from both the NFC West and the AFC South, in addition to their divisional rivals and other opponents like the Philadelphia Eagles, the New Orleans Saints, and the Miami Dolphins.
Green Bay hasn’t lost to Chicago since 2018. Over the past four years, the Packers and the Vikings split the season series. The Lions hold a 4-2 record against the Packers since 2021. Chicago and Minnesota are set to draft rookie quarterbacks, and the Lions are expected to be strong contenders in the NFC.
I predict the Packers will go 5-1 in the NFC North, sweeping both the Bears and the Vikings, while splitting the series with the Lions.
The Packers are set to host the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, while hitting the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. C.J. Stroud had a great rookie season for the Texans, a team that defied expectations with an over/under set at 5.5 wins at the onset of the previous season. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson exhibited promising glimpses before succumbing to a season-ending injury. The Jaguars saw a significant decline in quarterback play from Trevor Lawrence. Furthermore, the Titans are navigating a transition phase with a new head coach alongside second-year starter Will Levis.
I anticipate the Packers will have a 2-2 record against the AFC South. Jordan Love manages to outscore CJ Stroud, but the Packers have a tendency to stumble against opponents they shouldn’t, which could lead to losses against Tennessee and Indianapolis.
Green Bay will host the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals, while venturing west to take on the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers will be eager for revenge when the 49ers visit Lambeau Field. Since Rasul Douglas intercepted Kyler Murray in 2021’s Thursday Night game, the Cardinals have struggled to get anything going. Green Bay’s last victory in Seattle dates back to 2008. Although Sean McVay has yet to defeat Matt LaFleur head-to-head, all previous encounters occurred in Lambeau.
I have the Packers going 3-1 versus the NFC West, winning on the road against the Seahawks, thereby ending their losing streak in Seattle, and against the Rams in Los Angeles. However, the Packers have a tendency of faltering against inferior teams, and I have them doing just that against Arizona. On the other hand, Jordan Love and company get revenge on San Francisco.
To close it up, Green Bay hosts the Dolphins and the Saints, while playing on the road against the Eagles. Jordan Love managed to erase a 17-point deficit against the Saints in his first home start. Additionally, he remains undefeated against quarterbacks from his draft class. It’s worth noting that Green Bay may potentially play the Eagles in Brazil. However, the Packers seem reluctant, and it’s likely that the game will be played in Philadelphia. If the Packers are smart, they’ll avoid traveling to Philly and reap the benefits of playing 10 home games (with one being in Brazil) while only having 7 true road games.
I have the Packers going 2-1 against these opponents, with wins against the Saints and the Dolphins.
My overall prediction has Green Bay finishing with a 12-5 record. 9-3 against the NFC and 3-2 versus the AFC. It feels like a fair prediction for the Packers, considering they won 9 games last year despite offensive growing pains and a defense that was being held back from reaching its true potential.
