W - vs. Vikings
W - @ Lions
L - vs. Cowboys
W - @ Tampa
W - vs. Falcons
W - @ Seahawks
L - @ Colts
5-2 at the bye
L - @ Titans
L - @ Vikings
W - vs. Bears
L - @ Saints
W - vs. Panthers
W - vs. Texans
L - @ Jaguars
L - @ Bears
W - vs. Lions
9-7 regular season.
This is just at looking at the games. Do I think we can go 11-5? Absolutely. To explain my reasoning for these picks I'll say this: the Bears (regardless of talent) have had our number the last few years. That said, I think we'll at least split the series with them. I think the Vikings are catching up to us right now with that potentially improved pass rush and a man by the name of Adrian Peterson. So, I think we split the series with the Vikes.
I also gotta give a lot of credit to the AFC South -- they are TOUGH (and used to played other TOUGH teams). I think the games that are really too close to feel comfortable predicting are:
1.) Saints -- the defense brought in a lot of guys in the offseason, and that's been their problem. That and the offense is another year in the system and they added Shockey at TE.
2.) Titans -- they have a really tough defense (vastly underrated IMO) and they play well at home. And they can run the ball well which often keeps games close.
3.) ALL of the NFC North games. It seems like every year, regardless of talent, the Packers have at least one close game out of their double-headers with the inner-division rivals (notwithstanding the Lions -- who knows with them). The Vikes are improved and the Bears are still only a few years removed from playin' in the big show.
I think the Packers record will be on the LOW-END 8-8 and on the high end 12-4. In all likelihood I think it'll fall in the middle.
*also... the Packers are a good road team and my prediction doesn't give 'em any credit for that. So.... I caught that, but too late.
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
"I'm a reasonable man, get off my case."