Hello again, Packers fans ... and all who wish they were.
We've had a looooong hiatus here at PackerFansUnited...since just before the Divisional game vs. San Fran, to be exact. Been engaged with much movement in life during this time, including literally moving on to a new home a couple of states away. So I have plenty of excuses. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then: player and coaches comings and goings, injury updates, cut-downs, final roster, etc. Too much to cover here and you know it all already anyway.
So let's just get to the important matters of the moment: the season prediction, just as we've done every year. We'll do the prediction for tonight's opener against the Eagles (in Brazil!!!) in a separate post. We invite you to please check back for that before gametime later today.
The Season Prediction
Since the start of this blog in 2005 (20 years ago now ... 20!), we have looked at the season preview not game by game (those are done individually at the relevant time) but more along the lines of a quarter by season quarter point of view and the overall feel of it, so to speak. With a 17th regular season game in place for the last few years, we'll have 4 quarters plus one extra game...and the bye week, too...resulting in 18 weeks to examine. You'll figure it out. Home games are in green. Be aware, of course, that the NFL may flex various game times, especially later in the season, so the days/times shown here are as they are now indicated on the official schedule. The final home game vs. Chicago is, however, already listed as TBD game in terms of date and time.
QB Jordan Love will lead the Packers
in the first game of the 2024 season.
(Photo by Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports)
1st Quarter of the Season
Week 1: @ Eagles - Fri 9/6 · 7:15 PM CDT
Week 2: Colts - Sun 9/15 · 12:00 PM CDT
Week 3: @ Titans - Sun 9/22 · 12:00 PM CDT
Week 4: Vikings - Sun 9/29 · 12:00 PM CDT
We think it's likely the Packers lose one, and perhaps two, of these first four games. The season opener on Sept. 6 in Brazil...more on that one in a separate post. But it sure adds a big unknown to literally kick off the season. Despite the Pack being once again one of the odds-on favorites to make the NFC Championship Game, and, Packer nation hopes, the Super Bowl, and having a talented roster on both sides of the ball, we really don't know how it's all going to come together, especially with a new defensive coordinator and a new featured running back in Josh Jacobs. The O-line and wide receiving corps are solid. When there isn't a clear #1 receiver, that tells you that there are a lot of weapons that can shred a defense; give QB Jordan Love the time and they can shred the defense. We see the Packers coming out of these four games with a strong start and a 3-1 record.
2nd Quarter of the Season (+1)
Week 5: @ Rams - Fri 10/6 · 3:25 PM CDT
Week 6: Cardinals - Sun 10/13 · 12:00 PM CDT
Week 7: Texans - Sun 10/20 · 12:00 PM CDT
Week 8: @ Jaguars - Sun 10/27 · 12:00 PM CDT
Week 9: Lions - Sun 11/3 · 12:00 PM CST
Week 10: BYE
Coming off a home game against the ViQueens, hitting the road to take on the Rams in LA is a tough one. Also, in looking at the other teams in this quarter, the Texans are the team to worry about. Still, we think the Packers should come out of these four games with a 3-2 record.
3rd Quarter of the Season
Week 11: @ Da Bears - Sun 11/17 · 12:00 PM CST
Week 12: 49ers - Sun 11/24 · 3:25 PM CST
Week 13: Dolphins - Thurs (Thanksgiving) 11/28 · 7:20 PM CST
Week 14: @ Lions - Thurs 12/5 · 7:15 PM CST
This begins a tough little stretch, Packer fans, despite the Bye Week coming at a pretty good time in the schedule just ahead of this gauntlet of games. It will be the first chance to see the Caleb Williams-led Bearz. He'll either be living up to the hype at this point of the season. Or not. There will certainly be enough game film of him by that meeting to allow the Pack to scheme their defense accordingly. Then the kryptonite comes to Lambeau: the Niners. If the Packers want to get to the next level this season, they have to beat San Fran on home turf. Dolphins and Lions back to back...oy. We can see the Pack going 2-2 in this stretch.
4th Quarter of the Season
Week 15: @ Seahawks - Sun 12/15 · 7:20 PM CST
Week 16: Saints - Mon 12/23 · 7:15 PM CST
Week 17: @ Vikings - Sun 12/29 · 12:00 PM CST
Week 18: Da Bears - TBD
If the Pack is healthy (let us pray...), here's where the stretch run to the playoffs and Super Bowl gains steam. Given the opponents and being able to finish at home, we see the Packers going 3-1 over this span of games.
Summary
Looking back at our predictions, we have the Packers going no worse than 11-6. (Many projections we've seen have the Pack going 10-7, 11-6, or 12-5.) It will likely come down to the Pack and the Lions for the NFC North Division title. We'll worry about the playoff scenarios much, much later on. Lot of ball game left, as the saying goes.
As always, GO PACK GO!!!
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