Packers: Bold predictions for each of the final five games of the season

Bold predictions for each of the Packers’ final five games.

There are five games remaining in the NFL season. For the Green Bay Packers, these final games are crucial as they position themselves for the playoffs.

Of their five remaining games the Packers only face one team who currently have a winning record. Although, as we seen when Green Bay lost to the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the season, they cannot overlook any opponents.

Instead of predicting the outcome, here are bold predictions for each of the Packers’ final five games.

Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles

This Sunday the Packers will host the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia is battling to win the NFC East which is considered to be the worst division in the NFL. With a 3-7-1 record the Eagles have multiple weaknesses Green Bay can exploit.

One of those weaknesses is that Philadelphia’s quarterback Carson Wentz leads the league in turnovers. Wentz has 15 interceptions to go along with 10 fumbles, and six of the fumbles have resulted in turnovers.

Expect Wentz to turn the ball over due to the Packers’ pass rush. Despite their sack numbers being down, Green Bay still has premier pass rushers in Kenny Clark, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Those three should have their way against an Eagles team that has allowed a league-leading 46 sacks this season.

After turning the ball over multiple times again, I see Eagles head coach Doug Pederson finally benching Wentz in favor of backup Jalen Hurts who won’t fair any better.

Week 14: Detroit Lions

The Packers face off against the Detroit Lions for the second time this season in Week 14. Back in Week 2, the Packers defeated the Lions with a final score of 42-21. Expect a similar scoring outburst from the Packers in Week 14.

In that game the Packers trailed 14-3 after the first quarter. Green Bay would go on to outscore Detroit 39-7 throughout the final three quarters.

These high-scoring offensive outputs has been something Green Bay has done to the entire NFC North. Green Bay is averaging 37 points per game in four games versus the NFC North this season.

Here’s a stat to show how great the Packers offense has been against the NFC North:

In their first matchup with the Lions since they fired their head coach Matt Patricia, expect the Packers to supersede 40 points again.

Week 15: Carolina Panthers

At this point in the year, it’s clear that Aaron Rodgers is having another MVP-caliber season. One thing that is a part of every MVP season is an MVP statement game.

Take for example Rodgers’ 2011 MVP season. In Week 4 of that season, he had an MVP statement game against the Denver Broncos. Rodgers posted a stat line of 409 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns.

Now, in Week 15 of the 2020 season, I expect Rodgers to have an MVP statement game against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers give up nearly 250 passing yards per game.

I predict Rodgers will throw for a season-high five touchdowns versus the Panthers, along with going over 400 yards passing for the first time this season.

Week 16: Tennessee Titans

Despite being amongst the NFC elite, Green Bay is constantly questioned on whether they’re a true title contender. The main reason being their inability to stop the run on defense.

Green Bay allows 114 rushing yards per game and over four yards per rushing attempt. Well, in Week 16, the Packers’ rushing defense will face their toughest challenge against Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans.

Led by the current rushing yards leader in Henry, the Titans average 158 rushing yards per game. In his last three games, Henry has totaled 414 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Henry looks like he’s getting stronger as the season goes and is slowly sneaking into the MVP race.

If the Packers defense wants to make a statement before going into the playoffs, they will hold Henry under 100 yards rushing in Week 16. Doing so may prove that the Packers are more of a physical team than given credit for.

Week 17: Chicago Bears

Just last week the Packers beat the Chicago Bears 41-25. Against the Bears, Green Bay had one of their rushing games of the season. The Packers totaled 182 rushing yards on 39 rushing attempts.

In that game, Aaron Jones had 90 yards rushing and a touchdown. This was nice to see as Jones has had a down season compared to what he did last season.

However, heading into the playoffs I predict Jones to have a breakout game in Week 17 versus the Bears.

Jones will go over 100 yards rushing, while also doing damage in the passing game. I see Jones having over 200 total yards Week 17 to go along with at least two touchdowns.

A big performance in the final game of the season could give Jones momentum heading into the playoffs. Momentum that could lead to a playoff run like James Starks had for the Packers during their 2010 Super Bowl run.