Green Bay Packers: Week-by-week 2016 regular season predictions

Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears

On Brett Favre’s Hall of Fame celebration on Thanksgiving last year, it’s hard to tell what was more miserable: Green Bay’s offensive performance or the buckets of rain hitting the Lambeau turf.

The Packers have had their way over the Bears in the Aaron Rodgers era and should get back on track at home against Chicago this year. The Bears are an improving football team under John Fox and aren’t a million miles away from competing for a playoff berth. An improved defense with a healthy set of receivers will make this tough, but at home I’m sticking with the Pack.

Prediction: Win (5-1)

Week 8: @ Atlanta Falcons

Dan Quinn is slowly overseeing a transformation in Atlanta. The Falcons improved on defense in 2015, but they still have gaping holes at defensive end and linebacker. With just five selections in the draft, it will be tough to fix everything.

What the Falcons have is a dangerous offense led by Matt Ryan. Wide receiver Julio Jones is one of the best in the game as the Packers learned two years ago, and running back Devonta Freeman showed the world what he can do last season. Behind a stronger offensive line, this game will be won and lost on offense. Ryan was a turnover-machine in 2015, and that could be the difference in a close game.

Prediction: Win (6-1)

Next: Weeks 9-10