Heading into the 2019 season, all the talk surrounding the Green Bay Packers had to do with Aaron Rodgers' drama with former head coach Mike McCarthy and doubts about whether first-year head coach Matt LaFleur was going to be able to rein Rodgers in. The joke was on the Packers' doubters, however, as this team went 13-3 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. The talk all of this preseason will center around a fake quarterback battle between Rodgers and first-round pick Jordan Love, but this team has navigated through choppy waters before.
Sure, the Packers didn't dominate the 2020 NFL Draft. They didn't need to take a quarterback in the first round or a running back in the second and probably should have taken a wide receiver, but the Packers didn't get worse this offseason. Green Bay is still going to be in the running for a divisional title and the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They question is, can they rise above teams like the San Francisco 49ers in the postseason this time around?
Earlier this offseason, CBS NFL writer John Breech broke down the 2020 strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams based on combined opponent winning percentage in 2019. After finishing first place in the NFC North, the Packers will face the 15th-toughest strength of schedule in 2020. For a complete look at every team's strength of schedule, check out Breech's breakdown here. Below, we will break down every game on the Packers schedule this upcoming season. Can LaFleur build on his second year as head coach?
Over/under win totals for every opponent are courtesy of William Hill Sports Book. The Packers' O/U is 9:
Week 1 at Minnesota Vikings
Line: Vikings -3.5
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Somehow, the Packers come into the season opener as an underdog to the team they swept last year. The Packers are healthy again and should be ready for another postseason run, while the Vikings face a couple more questions. Can Justin Jefferson find quick success in Stefon Diggs' place? Can Jeff Gladney perform well against one of the best quarterbacks of all time? I have no doubt the Vikings are going to be a good team this year, but I'll take the Packers in Week 1.
Prediction: 24-20, Packers
Projected record: 1-0
Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions
Line: Packers -6.5
Opponent win total: O/U 6.5
The Packers are feeling nice after a season-opening divisional win on the road, and they carry that momentum into their home opener against yet another divisional opponent. The Lions aren't a pushover, however. I know no one wants to address it, but the Packers probably should have lost last year's 23-22 Monday night win at Lambeau. Remember that Green Bay beat Detroit twice by a combined four points last year, so I wouldn't bet on a blowout.
Prediction: 28-24, Packers
Projected record: 2-0
Week 3 at New Orleans Saints
Opponent win total: O/U 10.5
The Packers may have had a great 2019 season, but the Saints did as well. While Drew Brees missed five games, the Saints still went 13-3 and captured a third straight NFC South title. They suffered yet another embarrassing postseason loss, but Brees and Co. are not a team you want to face in the regular season -- especially in New Orleans. I predict this will be a shootout, and it's almost impossible to beat the Saints in a shootout. The Packers suffer their first loss in Week 3 on "Sunday Night Football."
Prediction: 45-41, Saints
Projected record: 2-1
Week 4 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
The Falcons aren't necessarily going to challenge the Packers for an NFC title, but this team has some impressive weapons and they have been known to surprise teams if you underestimate them on Sunday. While they went 7-9 last year, they beat the Philadelphia Eagles, blew out the Saints and even took down the 49ers late in the season. Matt Ryan is always going to get his yards and maybe Todd Gurley has a bounce-back season. Green Bay's corners are going to be tested yet again this week, and Green Bay will suffer two straight prime-time losses
Prediction: 31-24, Falcons
Projected record: 2-2
Week 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent win total: O/U 9.5
The Buccaneers get the Packers at home, but I still think we might be too excited about Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski changing teams. Even if they end up being a serious contender, I think it could take some time for this team to figure out how to play together. Tampa is 4-1 heading into this week, but Green Bay comes out firing after its bye week.
Prediction: 28-22, Packers
Projected record: 3-2
Week 7 at Houston Texans
Opponent win total: O/U 8
The hype is starting to build around the Packers after the loss they handed Brady, but the Texans may be an underrated team coming into 2020. While they traded DeAndre Hopkins away, they did add David Johnson, Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks, and also drafted Isaiah Coulter. This could end up being a decent wide receiving corps, and we all know Deshaun Watson is a rising star. Green Bay secures another win, but it's not a pretty one.
Prediction: 20-17, Packers
Projected record: 4-2
Week 8 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Opponent win total: O/U 9
It's hard not to look at the next two games and be a little nervous if you're a Green Bay fan. By midseason, the Packers are playing inconsistent ball -- much like last year. While they took down the Vikings in Minnesota in the season opener, the Vikings get their revenge in Week 8 thanks to a big game from both Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook.
Prediction: 26-13, Vikings
Projected record: 4-3
Week 9 at San Francisco 49ers
Opponent win total: O/U 10.5
As you can tell by the past two scores, the Packers' offense has hit a bump in the road. Next up are the 49ers -- who beat the Packers twice by a combined 46 points last season. This is another game that won't be close, and the 49ers score a big win in the Bay.
Prediction: 31-20, 49ers
Projected record: 4-4
Week 10 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent win total: O/U 4.5
A 2-0 start has now turned into a 4-4 record, but the Packers have the perfect opportunity to bounce back in Week 10. Not only is the game at home, but the Jaguars might end up being the worst team in the league this season. Their 4.5 over/under win total is currently the lowest in the NFL, and it's hard to imagine the Packers suffering three straight losses because of Gardner Minshew and Co.
Prediction: 25-14, Packers
Projected record: 5-4
Week 11 at Indianapolis Colts
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Aaron Rodgers vs. Philip Rivers. When it comes to the Colts' potential in 2020, everything seems to hinge on if Rivers still has some tread left on the tires. This wide receiving corps is loaded, so is the running back room, the offensive line is one of the best in the league and the defense is solid. They truly are one of the biggest wild cards this season, but when it comes down to Rodgers vs. Rivers, I'm going with the former.
Prediction: 28-27, Packers
Projected record: 6-4
Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears
Opponent win total: O/U 8
The race in the NFC North is tight, but the Bears aren't vying for a playoff spot at this point. After a two-game skid, the Packers have answered with two straight wins over AFC South opponents. Here in Week 12, they register their third divisional win.
Prediction: 23-7, Packers
Projected record: 7-4
Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent win total: O/U 9.5
This Eagles team may surprise some people in 2020. They drafted three wideouts this offseason -- which was their biggest need -- and Miles Sanders appears to be a legitimate franchise back. Their offense has been inconsistent over the past few years with Carson Wentz, but they have the potential to be explosive in 2020. Philly wins a close game in Lambeau here.
Prediction: 30-24, Eagles
Projected record: 7-5
Week 14 at Detroit Lions
Opponent win total: O/U 6.5
As previously mentioned, the Lions have always played the Packers close. In fact, the last time Green Bay beat Detroit by double digits was in 2014! No matter if it's a one-point game or a seven-point game, I'll take the Packers to win a late-season game in Detroit.
Prediction: 24-20, Packers
Projected record: 8-5
Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers
Opponent win total: O/U 5.5
The Panthers are entering a rebuild, there's no doubt about it. While Teddy Bridgewater is a capable quarterback and Christian McCaffrey is a legitimate star, I'm not sure first-year head coach Matt Rhule is going to exactly impress in year one. Just like last season in Week 10, the Packers beat the Panthers at home.
Prediction: 28-10, Packers
Projected record: 9-5
Week 16 vs. Tennessee Titans
Opponent win total: O/U 8.5
The Titans are a solid team, and there's a reason they made it all the way to the AFC Championship game last season. The Packers' defensive front has been playing incredibly well over the past few weeks, however, and they are able to hold Derrick Henry to just 70 yards rushing. That's a huge win considering what he's used to putting up per game at the end of the last two seasons. The Smith brothers put the game on Ryan Tannehill, and he is not able to come through.
Prediction: 30-21, Packers
Projected record: 10-5
Week 17 at Chicago Bears
Opponent win total: O/U 8
For the second year in a row, the Packers finish the season with an ugly win against a divisional opponent on the road. But it's a win nonetheless.
Prediction: 14-13, Packers
Projected final record: 11-5
If you think this win total prediction is high, you are not alone. Sure, I guess you could say I'm higher on the Packers than Vegas or other NFC North fans are, but if this team can remain healthy and build on what they accomplished last year, they should be right back in the postseason. There's no doubt that their schedule is tougher than what it ended up being last season. It's going to be incredibly hard to match that 13-3 record, but they could come close. With nine wins being the over/under, I'm going to go ahead and take the over.
