2009 Green Bay Packers Prediction

After the Packers established themselves as a NFC power in 2007 with a 13-3 record and a conference championship appearance, they struggled greatly in 2008, finishing 6-10.

In 2009, they will look to return to their place atop the NFC North.  With Green Bay's promising schedule and even more promising roster, they may prove to be one of the most improved teams in the NFL.

Week	Opponent	Prediction
1.	Chicago	W
2.	Cincinnati	W
3.	@ St. Louis	W
4.	@ Minnesota	L
6.	Detroit	W
7.	@ Cleveland	W
8.	Minnesota	W
9.	@ Tampa Bay	L
10.	Dallas	L
11.	San Francisco	W
12.	@ Detroit	W
13.	Baltimore	W
14.	@ Chicago	L
15.	@ Pittsburgh	L
16.	Seattle	W
17.	@ Arizona	L

Outcome: 10-6, playoff birth

The key to Green Bay's success this year will be their start.  In their first seven games, the Packers play six teams who failed to make the playoffs in 2008, four of whom originally owned picks in the top six overall of this year's draft.

It is also crucial for Green Bay to start strong because of how their season ends.  Four of their last five games are against teams who finished better than .500 in 2008, including trips to play the two teams who met in the Super Bowl last year.

The biggest obstacle Green Bay will have to hurdle is the learning of their new 3-4 defense.  If the Packers struggle to make that transition, they could stumble early and end up with another top 10 draft pick.

If the defense can pick up the 3-4 quickly, it has the talent to be one of the best units in the NFL and should be able to keep the team in any game.

Like any team, the possibility of injuries always lingers.  With the Packers, that concern is magnified given the durability concerns of Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers has been the victim of a large quantity of injuries during his time in Green Bay, with the most significant one being a broken foot in 2006.  Green Bay has basically no experience behind him, so his inability to play a full season would be devastating to the team.

As long as the Packers get through the first half of the season like they should, they have the potential to exceed expectations in the second half.

There are two stretches of three games where the Packers could possibly lose all three games and kill their playoff chances, or pull off a couple wins and give them a big boost in the standings.

Those stretches are weeks 8-10 when they play Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Dallas, and weeks 13-15 when they play Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh.

In weeks 8-10, the Packers play three NFC teams who they will be fighting against not only for wins, but for playoff births at the end of the year.  Most importantly, they will need to take advantage of their home field advantage against Minnesota and stay in the NFC North title hunt.

In weeks 13-15, they play arguably their two toughest opponents of the year in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, with a game against their fierce rivals at Soldier Field sprinkled in between.

Even if the Packers go 2-4 during those two stretches, they still stand a decent chance at winning 10 games and making the playoffs.  If they are able to go .500 or better during those stretches, they should be primed for a division title.