All right, time to see if I know what I'm talking about. Last year I said 10-6, and one playoff win. Of course it was 13-3, but I was right on the one playoff win! Just a little deeper into the postseason than I thought...
So here we go. Clip this, put it on your refridgerator, and compare at the end of the year...
I say the Packers go 9-7 this year. Maybe 10-6, but I'll go with 9-7. On paper, it's a tougher schedule. That could change with injuries, but a 2-2 September could be considered a success. And yes, I do think the Packers make the postseason.
The key on offense this year? I say it's more than Aaron Rodgers...it's actually the offensive line. If Rodgers doesn't get decent blocking, the San Francisco preseason game happens all over again. And Ryan Grant needs a few seams to run in...
The key on defense? It all starts up front on the defensive line. If you're a fan, you better hope that Ryan Pickett stays healthy. That Johnny Jolly does as well, and his off-field issues don't distract him. And Kabeer's knee holds up. And the Packers get something out of Justin Harrell, at some point.
I think Greg Jennings breaks out this year. Already on the map for catching most of Brett Favre's marquee TD's last year...and fighting injuries had 53 catches, 920 yards, but an eye popping 12 TD's. I think if healthy, he catches 80 balls, for 1,200 yards...and 15 TD's. I think his rapport with Aaron Rodgers is that strong.
As for the Vikings game, the key when the Packers have the ball is the offensive line keeping the new age Purple People Eaters off Aaron Rodgers. Plus it's hard enough to run on Williams squared in the center of the Vikes line...and now they have to do it without Scott Wells and shuffling Jason Spitz into center, with Tony Moll likely at right guard.
The key when the Vikes have the ball? Adrian Peterson. If he runs wild on the injury plagued Packers d-line, it's good night Irene. That would open things up for Tavaris Jackson to just keep the rest of the D honest.
I do think either A.J. Hawk or Aaron Rouse will break out this year. I believe the Packers will put Hawk into more of a playmaking role, while Rouse is already a playmaker and needs to be on the field.
Score for the game? I'm shaky on this, but I say 24-20 Pack. Somehow I think the D does enough to keep Peterson in check...while Rodgers finds Greg Jennings and Donald Lee for a couple of TD strikes, with possibly a TD off an Tarvaris Jackson INT the difference!
You agree or disagree? Your thoughts welcome at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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