Football is finally back upon us! In less than a week, professional football will return and the Green Bay Packers are positioned strongly to make a run at another Lombardi trophy. Below is a season overview of the Packer’s schedule and how it compares to the rest of the NFC in terms of strength, and I will provide my predictions for every game as well as the betting and odds, as well as prop bets across a few different categories.

2021 Off-Season: Personnel Additions and Subtractions

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Cornerback Kevin King #20 of the Green Bay Packers carries after an interception intended for wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
  • Resigned– Aaron Jones, Kevin King, Marcedes “Big Dawg” Lewis, Tyler Lancaster, Will Redmond (now on season-ending IR), Bob Tonyan, Chandon Sullivan.
  • Signed– De’Vondre Campbell, Dennis Kelly
  • Drafted- Eric Stokes, Josh Meyers, Amari Rodgers, Royce Newman, T.J. Slaton, Shemar Jean-Charles, Cole Van Lanen, Isiah McDuffie, Kylin Hill
  • Released– Rick Wagner, Christan Kirksey, John Lovett, Anthony Rush, Mike Weber, Keivarae Russell
  • Signed Elsewhere– Corey Linsley, Jamaal Williams, Lane Taylor, Tim Boyle, Montravious Adams, Christian Kirksey, James Burgess, Parry Nickerson, Raven Greene

Overall, Brian Gutenkunst and the front office must have felt like the team they fielded in the NFC Champion was close enough to win it all that they decided to run it back. With the only notable additions coming in the form of De’Vondre Campbell (projected starting MLB) and Dennis Kelly (who may not even start), the Packers faced significant salary cap issues that both prevented them from wadding into the free-agent market and kept them from retaining All-Pro caliber center Corey Linsley.

Aug 14, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Kylin Hill (32) rushes for a touchdown against Houston Texans free safety Eric Murray (23) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Stokes figures to compete with Kevin King for the second outside cornerback position opposite of Jaire Alexander, adding needed depth to the secondary. Josh Meyers, Amari Rodgers, Royce Newman, T.J. Slaton, and Kylin Hill all figure to contribute substantially in their first year in the league which is a change of pace for the Packers, who typically look to keep their rookies on the bench as much as possible within the first year to give them a chance to acclimate to the league. However, salary cap issues and these rookies having strong preseason (most notably Royce Newman and Kylin Hill) have put the youth front and center.

How will the rookies fare? Only time will tell but Matt LaFleur clearly trusts them to put them in this position so early on in their respective careers.

In addition to getting back Aaron Jones, who was expected to depart but was resigned to a top-level contract, the Packers should also get Josiah Deguarda back after losing him to the IR last year. It will be interesting to see how much usage he gets, as a leading blocker is one of the staples of the Shannahan-style offenses.

Strength Of Schedule

Per the Athletic, the Green Bay Packers face the 14th most difficult strength of schedule which oddly places them as having the easiest schedule in the NFC North despite winning the division last year.

Here is the full list of strength of schedules listed from hardest to easiest (NFC North in bold):

  1. Steelers (153)
  2. Raiders (152)
  3. Lions (151)
  4. Bengals (150.5)
  5. Texans (150)
  6. Bears (149)
  7. Ravens (148)
  8. Saints (148)
  9. Washington (148)
  10. Cardinals (147.5)
  11. Chiefs (146)
  12. Rams (146)
  13. Vikings (146)
  14. Packers (145.5)
  15. Giants (145.5)
  16. Jets (144.5)
  17. Chargers (144)
  18. Patriots (144)
  19. 49ers (143.5)
  20. Falcons (143)
  21. Titans (143)
  22. Bills (142.5)
  23. Panthers (142.5)
  24. Browns (142.5)
  25. Dolphins (142)
  26. Cowboys (141.5)
  27. Broncos (141.5)
  28. Colts (141)
  29. Jaguars (141)
  30. Eagles (141)
  31. Buccaneers (141)
  32. Seahawks (137.5)

per BetMGM win totals*

Schedule Predictions

Aaron Rodgers Returns for his 17th and perhaps final Packers campaign
Photograph: Jeffrey Phelps/AP

Week 1 – @ New Orleans Saints (now in Jacksonville, FL)

  • Prediction- W (1-0)

Week 2 – vs. Detroit Lions (Monday Night Football)

  • Prediction- W (2-0)

Week 3 – @ San Francisco 49ers (Sunday Night Football)

  • Prediction– L (2-1)

Week 4 – vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Prediction- W (3-1)

Week 5 – @ Cincinnati Bengals

  • Prediction- W (4-1)

Week 6 – @ Chicago Bears

  • Prediction- W (5-1)

Week 7 – vs. Washington Football Team

  • Prediction- L (5-2)

Week 8- vs. Arizona Cardinals (Thursday Night Football)

  • Prediction- W (6-2)

Week 9 – @ Kansas City Chiefs

  • Prediction- L (6-3)

Week 10 – vs. Seattle Seahawks

  • Prediction- W (7-3)

Week 11 – @ Minnesota Vikings

  • Prediction- W (8-3)

Week 12 – vs. Los Angeles Rams

  • Prediction- L(8-4)

WEEK 13- BYE

Week 14 – vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday Night Football)

  • Prediction- W (9-4)

Week 15 – @ Baltimore Ravens

  • Prediction- W (10-4)

Week 16 – vs. Cleveland Browns (Christmas Day)

  • Prediction- W (11-4)

Week 17 – vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday Night Football)

  • Prediction- W (12-4)

Week 18 – @ Detroit Lions

  • Prediction- W (13-4)

Green Bay Packers projected record: 13-4

Prop Bets

To Win Superbowl (+1400)

To Win NFC Conference (+700)

To WIn NFC North Division (-700)

To Make Playoffs (-280)

Win Total O/U (10 games)

Aaron Rodgers To Win MVP (+1100)

Aaron Rodgers To Win Offensive POTY (+1500)

Aaron Rodgers Most Passing Yards In League (+2000)

Aaron Rodgers Most Passing TDs In League (+700)

Davante Adams To Win MVP (+15000)

Davante Adams Lead League In Receiving (+1300)

Davante Adams Most Receving TDs In League (+650)

Aaron Jones To Win MVP (+20000)

Aaron Jones To Win Offensive POTY (+5000)

Aaron Jones Most Rush Yards In League (+2000)

Aaron Jones Most Rush TDs In League (+2000)

——————

Joe Kelley is a lifelong Packer fan born in Wisconsin and currently living surrounded by Patriots fans in New England- please send messages of support to @Jkelleylol on Twitter or @j.k.lolz on Instagram.

——————