As we've done at the beginning of every season since the inception of this blog in 2010, we've made a prediction as to how the Packers would wind up at season's end in terms of wins and losses. We don't do it game by game at this point — although we do individual games week by week — but rather break the 16-game season down as if they were quarters in a football game.
So let's begin with the first four games of the season. Games include Chicago, Minnesota, Denver and Philadelphia, the first away and the last three at home. Given the schedule and the nature of a new system under a first-year head coach, we're predicting 2-2 coming out of this first quarter of the season.
As we go to the second quarter of the 2019 season, the Pack plays Dallas, Detroit, Oakland and Kansas City. Two games at home and two away. Initial reaction is to again go with a 2-2 prognostication here, but we think the Pack will pull a victory out of one of the possible two games they could just as easily lose. As a result, the Pack will go 3-1 to take us up to the halfway mark of the season.
The third quarter of the season includes the Pack's bye week in week #11. The Pack plays San Diego, er, oops, the LA Chargers...a-hem, Carolina and San Francisco, with two of the three on the road. But let's add in week #13 to this quarter (the 16-game season is spread over 17 weeks anyway, right?) just to keep things balanced. So that additional game is away against the NY Giants. We're saying the Pack will go 3-1 over this period despite three of the four games played on the road; the bye week comes well-placed after the first two games to help break up this road-heavy segment of the schedule.
The final quarter of the season has the Packers playing Washington, Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit, the first two at home and the final two on the road. With the three final games against NFC North Division opponents, this is where the season could be made or broken in terms of division championship prospects or even a playoff appearance. We'll say the Pack will be firing on all cylinders at this point of the season and will take three out of the four to go 3-1 to close out the regular season.
So, in review, we have the Packers going 11-5 for the season which should put them in contention for the NFC North championship and at least a spot in the playoffs.
Packers vs. Bears Preview
We'll make it brief. The Packers have done very well in recent years against Chicago, even in enemy territory itself. QB Aaron Rodgers typically makes those infamous plays that ultimately put a dagger in the heart of Da Bearz. Chicago had the best defense in the NFL last season and that front seven is perhaps as good as they've had since the 1985 season...or so it's said. No one has really seen what the starting Packers offense or defense can bring to the field under the new head coach and staff. But the Packers have a better quarterback than Chicago and a better place kicker. Games are typically close and decided late.If that holds true tonight, under perfect weather conditions, we have to go with the Packers, of course. But as my dear friend, Billy Da Bearz Fan points out, when don't I pick the Pack? Well, I don't, sometimes. But this isn't one of those times. Sorry, Bill. I also consulted with another dear friend, Jim the Roofer (in the interest of full disclosure, also a Packers fan), and we agreed.
We're calling it 27-24 Packers over Da Bearz.
Go Pack Go!!!
P.S. We know we're a bit behind with some updates here on the site, but we hope to get to them soon. At least before the end of the season. :-)
