Green Bay Packers: 2016 opponents who could be game-breakers

Among the more useless predictors for any NFL team’s success, including the Green Bay Packers’, or lack thereof, is its strength-of-schedule given the rapid pace of change in a league where one catastrophic injury can dramatically alter an organization’s fortunes from one week to the next.

The Packers 2016 schedule is by-and-large being viewed as one of the favorable ones given the poor win-loss records of many of their upcoming opponents. But as we learned from watching Green Bay struggle in its two games versus Detroit last season, no one should be taken lightly.

A  Packers squad that doesn’t bring its “A” game is always susceptible to being upset…even with the immortal Aaron Rodgers at the controls.

This year’s 16-game slate features a number of non-playoff teams (the Colts, Falcons, Giants, Jaguars, etc.) that have the offensive fire power to go blow-for-blow with Rodgers and company. Even the most optimistic Cheesehead supporter will have to concede that most of these contests won’t be blowouts and will, in fact, need to be won in the fourth quarter.

Individual matchups are oftentimes the determining factor in the vast majority of games. No amount of coaching and/or scheming in the world can stop some of the more talented stars when they are fully healthy and on their respective games.

Which one of these genuine game breakers pose the greatest threat to the Boys from Packers News?

On the following pages you will find a ranking of the top-10 weapons to highlight on this year’s schedule.

Keeping these individuals from performing to their usual standards will be crucial if the Packers hope to have realistic plans of capturing their fifth Lombardi Trophy in February.

Next: We start with #10 ...