Packers: Game-by-game predictions for 2021 regular season
The preseason is over for the Green Bay Packers and kickoff is just a week away. There is a lot of optimism for this season, as the Packers are expected to contend for the Super Bowl. But with that comes the pressure to live up to expectations, especially for those who think this is the last year Aaron Rodgers will be in Green Bay and view this as his ‘Last Dance.’
It’s important for fans to enjoy the season that is about to start. Every team starts at 0-0 and excitement for teams are still at all-time highs. Optimism is overflowing, and while we are feeling optimistic, it’s fun to predict how they will perform this year.
After back-to-back 13-3 seasons and NFC Championship appearances, and having to play a first-place schedule and matchups with the deep NFC West, it’s going to be tough to have another season like that, but that’s what’s expected of these Packers.
So let’s take a look at the full schedule ahead of the Pack and predict how they will fare each week.
Week 1 at Saints
The Packers will kick off their season on the road against the Saints. With Hurricane Ida rolling through New Orleans, there are questions as to whether the game will be played at the house of horrors that is the Superdome. The Packers always seem to struggle there, even though they pulled out a win over the Saints on the road last year.
Jameis Winston takes over for the Saints at quarterback, but they have some severe shortages at the receiver position. Michael Thomas is likely out after getting surgery this offseason. The passing game is likely going to be a shell of what we are used to seeing out of New Orleans, but they will still have running back Alvin Kamara ready to go, who is a threat to score at any time.
The Packers come into this game relatively healthy, and even without David Bakhtiari, they should have a solid offensive line. This was the best offense in football last season and they added Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers, while AJ Dillon looks to have a bigger role this year. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were even better this year.
Most of the offense didn’t play in the preseason, so it might take a quarter or two to get going, but I think the Packers can outscore the Saints in their Week 1 matchup.
Packers 34, Saints 24 (1-0)
Week 2 vs. Lions
In Week 2, the Packers will have their home opener against the Lions, a team that is definitely in a rebuild. They are the popular pick to finish last in the NFC North and a team that will be competing for the first overall pick this offseason.
After trading Matthew Stafford away to the Rams, the Lions will start Jared Goff. They also lost their top receivers in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. It looks like Quintez Cephus and Tyrell Williams will replace them. Not exactly an upgrade.
While the Lions will be bad, it’s going to be hard for any team to lose 17 straight games. At the end of the day, I think the Packers are just too talented and well-coached. Green Bay rolls at home against the Lions.
Packers 31, Lions 14 (2-0)