Predicting Packers’ final five games of regular season 2021

Week 16: Cleveland Browns (Christmas Day)

Loss-win-loss-win-loss-win-loss. That’s the Cleveland Browns’ record from Week 6 to Week 12. Like the Packers, they are now coming off their bye and will look to finish strong.

The Browns have been incredibly inconsistent. At times they look unstoppable. Take their 41-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals as an example. Other times, they’ve not looked like a playoff team. Take their 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots the very next week.

Assuming both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are healthy in Week 16, the Packers’ run defense will have to be ready. They will know how the Browns want to play.

The important thing in this game will be to force the Browns to throw the football. For all their strengths moving the ball on the ground, their passing game ranks ninth-worst in the league. Baker Mayfield has just 11 passing touchdowns on the year with seven interceptions.

Make this a battle between Aaron Rodgers and Mayfield, and it’s a matchup the Packers will win.

The game being played at Lambeau Field certainly helps. Green Bay is tough to beat at home. It will be cold at Lambeau Field — maybe there will be some snow. In a rare Packers Christmas Day game, they get the all-important victory.

Prediction: Green Bay 30, Cleveland 17 (12-3)