Season Prediction

Heading into the opening weekend of the season, it's time for some predictions. Hey, everyone else is doing it, so what the heck. I've listened to and read sports pundits who project the Packers to finish the season anywhere from 5-11 to 11-5. That's quite a difference. Eye of the beholder type thing. ESPN commentator, Tom Jackson, actually suggested that the Pack is the "most overrated" team going into the season, declaring that the team's slide is about to begin as Brett enters the latter years of his career. I've also listened to and read many of those same pundits who declare that the Viqueens will at long last not fade down the stretch and will save lame duck coach Mike Tice's job by actually winning the division. Have to see it to believe it. Troy Aikman, lead game analyst for Fox Sports (and someone who knows a bit about winning), did not join in this bandwagon movement to crown the 'Queens. "I just have a hard time going against a team like Green Bay," Aikman said. You can read the rest of his comments here.

With all this as prelude, my call for the season record -- for what that's worth -- is 9-7 which could still be enough to win the weak NFC North or at least qualify for a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

The first win is this Sunday in Detroit. While domes haven't always been the best of the places for the Pack to play, it seems as if Detroit is usually the exception to the rule. Despite some personnel upgrades for the Lions, QB Harrington's play will be characteristically erratic enough to give our defense enough of an assist to notch a win.