The NFL released the 2014-15 season schedule, and almost immediately fans began speculating what their favorite team’s record would be for the upcoming season.
Before the Draft, before OTA’s, before mini camp and loooong before Training Camp, semi-professional prognosticators put win-loss predictions on their favorite teams. Optimism runs high at this time of the year, and the schedule release is just one more reason for fans across the globe to believe that THIS is the year their team will bring the Lombardi Trophy home.
Packers fans are no different. Analysis of the schedule technically began when the 2014-15 opponents were announced last year. Now that the schedule has been released, the full dissection can take place.
With that said, here is the very earliest season prediction for the 2014-15 Green Bay Packers:
Week 1 at Seattle (9/4/14): At Seattle-no better chance to prove you deserve to be mentioned among the best teams in the league than the season kickoff against the defending Super Bowl champions. In this rematch of the Fail Mary game, the Packers are going to face one tough opponent in a hostile road enviroment. As much as I want to pick Green Bay to win this game, I just can’t do it. Loss
Week 2 vs NY Jets (9/14/14): Rex Ryan and the Jets stroll into Lambeau Field for the Packers’ home opener. And go home losers. Win
Week 3 at Detroit (9/21/14): A new coach in Detroit in Jim Caldwell, but still the same explosive offense. IF the Packers defense is improved as it seems to be (at least on paper) this could be a win for the Packers. If they were playing in Green Bay I would pick them to win. But they aren’t. Loss
Week 4 at Chicago (9/28/14): Chicago is better than a lot of people want to give them credit for. Their offense is downright scary. Their defense looks to be improved after last year’s debacle. Should be a close game. Win
Week 5 vs Minnesota (10/2/14): I’m circling this date on the calendar right now. Thursday night, prime time game, division rival-and this will be the game Brett Favre returns to Lambeau Field. I can’t think of a better game for it to happen on. Oh, and the Packers will win this game too. Win
Week 6 at Miami (10/12/14): Former Packers Offensice Coordinator Joe Philbin takes on his former boss Mike McCarthy in this coaching tree matchup. Green Bay flies home happy. Win
Week 7 vs Carolina (10/19/14): Tough game. Carolina was on fire in 2013. The question facing them is whether they are a team on the rise, or if they caught lightning in a bottle last season and are just not that good. Think Green Bay finds out the hard way they are a little bit of both. Loss.
Week 8 at New Orleans (10/26/14): This Sunday night game is going to be a classic. Rodgers vs. Brees could very well set a single game record for most passing yards. Two powerhouse offenses going toe to toe in prime time? Just the kind of ratings bonanza the NFL loves. Everyone also knows how much Aaron Rodgers loves playing inside a dome. Win
Week 9 Bye Week: Right in the middle of the season. Perfect timing to get injured players healthy for the stretch run.
Week 10 vs Chicago (11/9/14): Another Sunday Night game, this time against the hated Bears. The last time these two teams played, the Packers prevailed. They will again. Win.
Week 11 vs Philadelphia (11/16/14): This is going to be an interesting game. A true chess match between the Chip Kelly offense and the Dom Capers defense. Two mad scientists battling it out. Should be a fun game to watch. Hopefully even more so with a Packers victory. Win.
Week 12 at Minnesota (11/23/14): Playing the Vikings outdoors in Minnesota for the first time in 30 years will no doubt cause some issues. Not sure why, but think the Vikings will pull the upset in this game. Blame it on the weather. Loss.
Week 13 vs New England (11/30/14): The Packers get to take on the powerhouse Patriots in this Sunday afternoon affair. Rodgers vs. Brady. And as a bonus, two coaches who are the ultimate masters in coach speak. Somehow the Packers will find a way to win this game. Somehow. Win.
Week 14 vs Atlanta (12/8/14): Yet another prime time slot, this time on Monday Night Football. The Falcons were at one time considered to be the favorites in the NFC. That seems like an eternity ago. But they still feature a very good receiving tandem in Julio Jones and an aging Roddy White. The Packers have owned them for the past five years, and will continue to do so. Win.
Week 15 at Buffalo (12/14/14): It’s the Bills. Unless there is a massive blizzard, there is no reason the Packers should lose this game. Although, they do have a habit of playing down to the level of their opponents. Hmmm…… Win.
Week 16 at Tampa Bay (12/21/14): Sorry Tom Crabtree, but the Packers can’t let the Bucs beat them. Not in this game, not this late in the season, and not while riding a three game winning streak. Win.
Week 17 vs. Detroit (12/28/14): Playoff implications could be on the line for both teams during this game. Season finale in Green Bay? Packers all the way. Win
Season Prediction: 12-4
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
5 responses to “The Very Earliest Season Prediction for the Green Bay Packers”
Not much that I disagree with here, but I do think they beat Carolina at home and lose to New Orleans on the road.
Most definitely either of those games could reverse. Especially the Saints game. All depends on what the defense looks like, which to be fair we have no idea yet. Still need to fix the safety position.
At first glance I was like no they won’t lose this and they won’t lose that, but being realistic means expecting your team to be 12-4 or maybe even 11-5.
I agree that the Saints/Panthers games could be flip-flopped. I don’t think Carolina has the offensive tools to match the Packers Offense, even though their defense is better.
Only other changes I’d consider being a toss up is switching a loss from the Vikings to the bears. Bears Offense is darn right sick, unless they don’t find a reliable backup to Forte. Vikings right now don’t have an identity and the Emergence of Lacy helps nullify AP a bit as he can help control the clock the way AP can control games.
The Saints do not lose at home. PERIOD. Also, keep in mind that the last 2 meetings between the Saints and Packers were road games for the Saints and they only lost by one score. The second game the Saints only lost by ONE point which was also during their horrible 2012 season.
Drew Brees wants some revenge and thee is no better place than in the Superdome. Rodgers and Nelson are going to get meant with a new improved fierce Rob Ryan defense and Drew Brees with Jimmy Graham and lightening fast rookie Brandon Cooks are going to tear right through the Packers Defense(Excuse the oxymoron).
Playing the Saints in the Dome is a nightmare for ANY team. I cant wait till the cocky thug Seahawks come down here.