The Green Bay Packers have wrapped up what was seemingly the training camp from heaven. The only stinging injury came to tight end Tyler Davis, a key special teams player and an up-and-coming tight end. The development of Jordan Love could not have gone any better. He showed in joint practices and the preseason games he is ready to lead this team. All three of his preseason appearances ended with a touchdown pass.
Head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback coach Tom Clements have done a remarkable job of preparing Love to take the reigns. And this will be a completely different offense than what we saw last year with an old man at QB. Love looked amazingly composed in his brief appearances and yes, there were a lot of backups playing, but if that translates to the regular season the Packers are in good hands.
It is going to be so much fun to see a diversified offense again. One that utilizes every weapon and every formation in LaFleur’s vast playbook. I think we’ll see more interceptions from Love than his predecessor, but I don’t think it’ll factor in to the end results much. Love has earned praise from his teammates for not getting rattled, so one mistake won’t become two.
Defense will shock the world
I don’t know why, but I am on the Joe Barry bandwagon now. After ruthlessly calling for his head I now think this defense is going to perform up to the high expectations they have had the last two years. It actually started at the end of last year. After getting embarrassed on national TV the defense turned it around and led the team to the four straight wins. And when the season was on the line they held the high-powered Lions to 20 points while the Packers old and decrepit offense couldn’t get out of its own way.
I think Jaire Alexander is the best corner in the league, and I think Jaire calls all the shots in the secondary. I think that is why the defense started to come together last year. If the safety position doesn’t completely blowup the secondary will be one of the league’s best.
And I love the move of Kenny Clark to the outside on the defensive line. I am fired up about Devonte Wyatt and what appears to be a second-year jump coming. I think the Packers will finally be able to stop the run. The linebackers are solid so there is no real weakness on the defense. Maybe not all superstars,, but enough talent to help a team win games.
I think the biggest difference for the defense is they won’t be under near as much pressure as they were last year. I see them getting a lot more help from the offensive side of the ball, as well as special teams. The Packers will score more points on offense and I’m fired up about the new punter. I just hope he can hold for kicks without incident.
Prediction
The Packers don’t have the hardest schedule and they have a lot of home games in the middle of the slate. So if they stumble a little out of the gate they will have some home games to right the ship. This is not a normal rebuilding team, this is not a rookie quarterback. So I think the Packers take back the NFC North with an 11-6 record.
The Vikings are still the top threat to the Packers. The Lions were a flash in the pan and the Bears will always be the Bears. Take it to the bank. I did.
