Green Bay Packers: 10 Bold Predictions About the Super Bowl Champs in 2011

They finished on top, but now they've got to stay there.

The Green Bay Packers are Super Bowl champs, and with that comes a whole new set of challenges entering the 2011 season. They will be the hunted, obviously, and it's safe to say they will again battle with the Chicago Bears for the division title.

But winning another Lombardi Trophy won't be easy. Teams are always seeking to improve, and in today's NFL, a cellar dweller can turn things around quickly and become a contender. The Dallas Cowboys also served as a reminder this year that one injury can take a promising season and send it cratering into a ditch.

Uncertainties abound, but that also leaves room for predictions. Here are 10 bold predictions to watch with the Packers for 2011:  

10. Preseason Expectations Will Be a Factor

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 25 in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

You always hear the champs talk about having a bullseye on their chests and how teams will give them their best shot, but that doesn't mean they'll be able to withstand the challenges that come once the games begin.

Expect Green Bay to be right at or above .500 through their first five games.

What the Packers have in their favor is a tremendous leadership structure, which can help them grow during the process and remind them that each year's team has a different personality.

9. The Heir Apparent

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates in the locker room with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington,

Green Bay is a young team, but there are key veterans that are in the twilight of their careers. Don't be surprised if the Packers draft a cornerback and groom him to eventually replace Charles Woodson.

Woodson will be 35 in October, but he is coming off a Pro Bowl season. In the regular season, Woodson had 92 total tackles (76 unassisted), two sacks, 13 passes defended, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.

8. Finley Will Contribute Immediately

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers reacts against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Tight end Jermichael Finley missed most of this season with a hamstring injury, but expect the third-year player from Texas to come back and help the Packers offense immediately.

Before he was injured in the 16-13 overtime loss at Washington on Oct. 10, Finley had 21 catches for 301 yards (14.3 avg.) and one touchdown.

7. Raji Will Take the Next Step

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball from BJ Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Expect defensive tackle B.J. Raji to take the next step and mature into one of the league's top young defensive linemen. Raji is in just his second year out of Boston College and had 39 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He's got the skills and ability to easily become a Pro Bowl caliber lineman but that will come in time.

6. They'll Split with Chicago

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears looks over at Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers before the snap in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/G

Go ahead and bank on the rivalry becoming even more fierce in 2011 after the two teams faced off in the NFC Championship.

The Packers shouldn't lose any key players this offseason, and you can bet Chicago will add some parts to their team—especially protection for Jay Cutler—and be right back in contention. Keep in mind, it was the Bears who won the NFC North this year, and got a first-round bye.

The two teams will beat each other senseless again, but I just don't see either coming away with a sweep. Not in a rivalry, and especially not when both teams have so much talent. 

P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, OutKast and the Spirit of Houston

5. Olive Branch Will Be Extended

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers meets with Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings after the Packers defeated the Vikings 28-24 at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Prisching/Ge

Call me crazy, but I can totally picture it happening: Home opener, Super Bowl rings being handed out, fans going wild, past Packer greats coming back to celebrate with the team.

And an open invitation for Brett Favre to join them.

The Aaron Rodgers era is firmly in place, and it would be sad to see any lingering bitterness and resentment continue between the franchise and the legendary former Packers quarterback. Every family has its issues and disagreements, but there's no need for toxic feelings to ruin so many great memories.

Healing needs to begin, and I have no doubt fans would be classy and welcome him with open arms. 

4. In the Top Five

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers rushes during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Expect the Packers to be in the top five in both total offense and total defense. If there is a weakness, it is the run game. A by-committee approach is fine, but they'll need a lot more production than they got this year out of Brandon Jackson, James Starks and John Kuhn.

Of course, if Ryan Grant (pictured) comes back at 100 percent, this machine should be humming.

3. Aaron Rodgers Will Pick Right Back Up

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The Packers quarterback won't have any dropoff from this year.

Anyone who doesn't consider him one of the game's most talented young quarterbacks is foolish. He completed nearly 66 percent of his passes for 3,922 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also had 356 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns.

Rodgers is only going to get better, and that's going to be nightmarish for a lot of teams.

2. They'll Be in the Hunt

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: The Green Bay Packers celebrate in the locker room after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

By mid-December, expect the Packers to be right back in the hunt for a first-round bye along with Atlanta and Philadelphia. New Orleans won't rest easy, either, and could be in that group as well.

1. Where They'll Finish

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammates late in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Ge

After a couple of early losses, plus another to Chicago, Green Bay will be even tougher in 2011 and finish the regular season 13-3, NFC North champs and have the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.