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The Green Bay Packers schedule is over, and now that the fans have had time to process it, let's make some predictions. The home debut seems well organized for this team, which could also surprise and make opponents jump at the start of the season if they keep their attack secret in the pre-season.
However, the division schedule is very tight this year, with the Packers opening and ending the regular season with big clashes against NFC North. It may and probably will be the difference between if the Packers stay home in January, show up as Wild Cards or go back to the top of the division. Although these games are hard to predict, it's useful to go through the calendar to predict how it will prepare for a possible playoff return for the Green and Gold.
September
The Packers crisscross the Lake Michigan coast for the first week of the season. They will learn the Bears in Chicago to begin the 100th season of the NFL. Then, they go home to play three games at home, with three winners. The Vikings are organizing the year with two consecutive competitions north of the NFC North, and then the Packers welcome the Broncos led by Vic Fangio before welcoming the Eagles to town on Thursday night.
The division matches are always difficult to predict and the first week is particularly difficult given the new coaching staff in Green Bay and the new defense staff (and staff) in Chicago. Vic Fangio's departure for Denver (more on this in a moment) and the loss of some key defensive backs suggest a regression for the Bears defense. Meanwhile, the Vikings and Packers have a fascinating 2-2-2 record in their last six games at Lambeau Field. These two games seem to me quite chaotic, so a record of 1-1 to two weeks seems reasonable.
Fangio and the Broncos travel to Green Bay the third week after what will likely be a tough and emotional match against the Bears in the second week. However, Denver's offense behind Joe Flacco will not let Mike Pettine and his company fear. Finally, the fact that the Packers play at home the third week before playing another home game Thursday night in the fourth week is advantageous. Philly will have to travel for a short week, while the Packers have been comfortable at home two weeks ago. Edge: Green Bay.
Prediction: 3-1
October
A Sunday afternoon at AT & T Stadium, where Aaron Rodgers has not lost any matches, is waiting for the Packers in the fifth week. They will play two more games at home, against the Lions and Raiders, and head south to face the Chiefs at Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium.
Interestingly, the teams led by Rodgers not only won every game played at Jerry World; they scored at least 30 points each time, the lowest score of the Super Bowl XLV's 31-25 win by the team. The last two victories were very difficult: a win in the playoffs from 34 to 31 in January 2017 and a win from 35 to 31 at the next fall. Dallas was a different team at home last year, however, and they have the air of having to re-align a strong team in 2019.
Both home games seem winnable. The Detroit laureate victory at Lambeau in the 17th week of last year was marked by a concussion at Rodgers and a Packers team in the field. The Raiders, meanwhile, should be still a little away from the competition, even with three first-round selections.
However, the eighth week will be one of the biggest tests of the season, especially for Pettine and the Packers defense. Given the Chiefs' defense problems last year, it could well be a shootout, with bargaining points from Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. A defeat of the Packers is not impossible, but without seeing the new attack of the team for the moment, it is difficult to project as a victory.
Forecast: 2-2 (5-3 in general)
November
After this game in Kansas City, a tough week on the road is waiting for the Packers to travel to California for their longest road trip of the year. The Chargers look like a full team, very good on both sides of the football, and it's a tough draw after this KC game at rush hour. However, the Packers get a home game against Carolina before a draw at the end of week 11. This gives them plenty of time to rest and get ready for another trip on the west coast, this time to face the 49ers on Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The game Chargers is a dangerous game, given the trip and the opponent. After that, however, I see a motivated team come back home to make a statement against Carolina before a week off. With the return of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jerick McKinnon, San Fran seems to have improved over last year, but I like the chances of the Packers against Matt LaFleur's mentor, Kyle Shanahan.
Forecast: 2-1 (7-4 in general)
December
Despite five games in December, three of them are on the road to help minimize the Packers' field advantage in colder weather. In addition, one is against the Bears, another team in cold weather that seems to have been built for this time of year.
However, first, the Packers will return across the country after facing the 49ers, when they open their doors in December in New Jersey against the Giants. Will New York have a new quarterback from here? We will have a better idea next week in the repechage, but I suspect that this Giants team will still have difficulties in 2019.
A team from Alex Smith-less Washington comes to Lambeau at week 14, followed by the Bears rematch at Green Bay the following week. The Packers then complete it with tour dates in Minnesota and Detroit.
Forecast: 3-2 (10-6 in general)
I would like so much that the Packers of the division feel good enough to say that they are sweeping the division at the end of the year, but I have the feeling that a slight disappointment is coming late. In fact, I feel better against Green Bay's chances of beating the Bears in the first week at Soldier Field than in Week 15, largely because Chicago will have a harder time getting ready for a LaFleur attack. -Rodgers if there is no cassette available. After 13 games, there should be more players to work with and Chicago should be better prepared. Meanwhile, the Packers have not won at the US bank stage yet, so I'm not confident in predicting a win there. However, I will give Green Bay a win in Week 17 and they will need it to win a playoff spot.
All in all, a record of 10-6 would almost certainly be enough for the Packers to take part in the playoffs, but if that's enough for a division title to depend on the Bears and Vikings.
General observations
Our Jason Hirschhorn has discussed it just after the release of the calendar, but it's worth remembering that winning five of the first seven home games – and not going more than 200 miles the first month – is preparing for a good start. departure. However, the beginning and end of the calendar will be decisive in determining whether this Packers team can qualify for an NFC North title.
The Packers open with back-to-back division games in 2019, starting with the Bears on the road, then coming home to face the Vikings. They then finish the season with back-to-back division games in the last three weeks of the season. These periods will probably be a determining factor in the division race, especially during the last stage at the end of the year. Earning wins in the early division can help ease the pressure on the team at the end of the season, but regardless of the rest of the team's results, the Packers will almost certainly have to win two of their last three games to try their luck. luck. title of the division.
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