2014 Outlook: After an injury plagued 2013 season, the Green Bay Packers enter 2014 as one of the early favorites to make a deep run in the NFC once again. GM Ted Thompson brought in the appropriate talent to ensure that a healthy Packer team can contend with NFC heavyweights like the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Thompson took a rare dip into the free agent pool to lure veteran pass rusher Julius Peppers across the Wisconsin-Illinois border. That move coupled with the drafting of highly-touted Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will give defensive coordinator Dom Capers all the tools he needs to turn around the Packers' 25th total defense ranking from last season. The Packers face a schedule loaded with playoff contenders, and here is how I see each game playing out.
Week 1 At Seattle Seahawks
This game has 'revenge' and 'statement game' written all over it for Green Bay as they take on the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks. It will be an opportunity for Green Bay to not only establish themselves in the NFC, but avenge the infamous "Fail Mary" game once and for all. A victory on the road this early in the season would require a lot of pieces falling together, but in a hard-fought contest, Seattle emerges the victor.
Final Score: Seahawks 21 - Packers 17 (L)
Week 2 vs. New York Jets
The home opener will be against the New York Jets, a team that the Packers will face for only the twelfth time in NFL history. The Packers haven't faced the Jets at Lambeau Field since 2006, and haven't beaten the them at home since 1994. The Jets will bring an improved defense and running game into 2014, but the offense will be unable to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and company.
Final score: Packers 24 - Jets 14 (W)
Week 3 at Detroit Lions
Thanksgiving comes early for the Packers as they head to Detroit to take on the Lions. This is the earliest meeting of the two in Detroit since 2008, which was Aaron Rodgers' first season as a starter. This one has the makings of a shootout, and should come down to whichever defense can capitalize on a mistake from the opposing QB. Stafford makes that one mistake, and the Packers escape with the victory.
Final score: Packers 31 - Lions 27 (W)
Week 4 at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears will be eager to avenge their Week 17 defeat at home to the Packers in 2013, which cost them the division title. The Bears boast an offense that matches up incredibly well with the Packers corners, who tend to struggle against taller receivers. Chicago takes this one at home, which likely puts them in an early lead for the NFC North.
Final Score: Bears 28 - Packers 17 (L)
Week 5 vs Vikings
Green Bay gets their first look at rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater in Week 5 as the Vikings come to town. It will be interesting to see the impact the addition of Julius Peppers has on this game. In his four seasons with the Bears, Peppers tallied five sacks against the Vikings. His help both in rushing the passer and stopping Adrian Peterson will prove invaluable in this contest.
Final score: Packers 24 - Vikings 10 (W)
Week 6 at Dolphins
Former Packer offensive coordinator Joe Philbin gets his first shot at his previous employer in Green Bay's second matchup against the AFC East in 2014. Philbin's offense has yet to see the type of success he saw in Green Bay however (26th in points in 2013), and the Packers should roll to a victory here.
Final score: Packers 28 - Dolphins 17 (W)
Week 7 vs Carolina Panthers
Julius Peppers faces the team he played the first eight years of his career for as the Panthers visit Lambeau Field. Peppers will be key in containing Cam Newton, who has run for at least 585 yards and six touchdowns each of his three NFL seasons. Another highly anticipated matchup will be Eddie Lacy versus the Panthers' Luke Kuechly. A healthy diet of play action keeps the linebacker on his toes and allows Aaron Rodgers to lead the Packers to a win at home.
Final Score: Packers 21 - Panthers 14 (W)
Week 8 at New Orleans Saints
Aaron Rodgers has played very well historically in domes, but few dome environments are as tough as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won all eight games they played at home in 2013, and with field general Drew Brees at the helm, they will be a force to be reckoned with at home again in 2014. This could be one of the games of the year as two quarterbacks in their prime go head to head.
Final score: Packers 35 - Saints 42 (L)
Week 9 BYE
Week 10 vs Chicago Bears
Both the Packers and Bears will have two weeks to prepare for this Sunday Night battle for the ages. Expect some creative plays to be thrown into the gameplans of both teams, which should create for the most interesting divisional game the Packers will have all season. The edge will go to the better strategist at head coach, and Mike McCarthy will make the right calls to ensure a season sweep for the Bears does not happen.
Final Score: Packers 24 - Bears 17 (W)
Week 11 vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles visit Lambeau Field for the second consecutive year, in a matchup between two teams that should be racing towards the playoffs. Last season's contest was the first whole game without Aaron Rodgers, who had broken his collarbone the week prior. Much like last season, the Packers come into this matchup fresh off a brutal contest with the Bears, and LeSean"Shady" McCoy pushes the Eagles over the top on the road.
Final score: Packers 21 - Eagles 24 (L)
Week 12 at Vikings
If there is one team Aaron Rodgers has owned in his career, it has been the Minnesota Vikings. He has thrown more touchdowns (26) and had a higher completion percentage (71.71%) against Minnesota than any other opponent he has faced at least twice. The Packers will see that trend continue as they pick up a critical division win in Minnesota.
Final score: Packers 31 - Vikings 20 (W)
Week 13 vs New England Patriots
Despite being in the league together for nine years, and being mentioned in the same breath when speaking of top NFL QB's, Aaron Rodgers has never faced Tom Brady. Two of the best number 12's will duke it out in what should be a fantastic conclusion to Thanksgiving weekend. This one could go either way, but Tom Brady gets the last possession and drives the Patriots to a win.
Final score: Packers 24 - Patriots 27 (L)
Week 14 vs Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay's first and only Monday Night Football appearance is against Matt Ryan and the Falcons in Week 14. The Falcons have a ton of talent, particularly on offense, but figure to be well behind in their division at this stage of the season. The Packers will prove in this game on the national stage that they belong in the conversation of elite NFC contenders.
Final score: Packers 28 - Falcons 14 (W)
Week 15 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills are an underrated opponent to face on the road, but Green Bay should be right at home in this mid-December game. Eddie Lacy should help establish a powerful presence in this game that should help quiet a rowdy Buffalo crowd. Buffalo won't yield easily, but the Packers will be looking to establish some momentum for the playoffs.
Final score: Packers 17 - Bills 10 (W)
Week 16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two games against Alshon Jeffery (6'3") and Brandon Marshall (6'4") of the Chicago Bears should prepare the Packers well for their matchup against Tampa Bay. Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans both stand at an impressive 6'5", and could very well have 6'6" Mike Glennon throwing to them again this season. Despite the height mismatch, Green Bay should play "David" to Tampa Bay's "Goliath" in this game.
Final score: Packers 27 - Buccaneers 17 (W)
Week 17 vs Detroit Lions
The 2014 regular season wraps up with a bevy of divisional games with playoff implications, and Packers-Lions should be no different. A playoff spot or seeding could be up for grabs for both teams, so don't count on the Packers to take this one easy. With the prospect of a home playoff game on the line, the defense comes through to seal a close win for Green Bay.
Final score: Packers 24 - Lions 21 (W)
Final Season Prediction: 11-5, First in NFC North
The Green Bay Packers have a tough 2014 schedule, but will walk into nearly all 16 games with a very good chance to win. Assuming that Aaron Rodgers remains healthy, this team is all but a lock to return to the playoffs. Winning close games will be imperative to getting a good playoff seed, as the Packers will look to increase their chances for a home playoff game or two.
What do you think the Packers 2014 record will be? Tweet your response to @ZacBellman_WNY or @ChatPackers.
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