This bold prediction for the Packers is completely wrong

The Green Bay Packers enter the new season with low expectations. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Green Bay has gotten younger on both sides of the ball following the end of the Aaron Rodgers era. As a result, many believe the Packers' days competing in the NFC are over. Some predictions go further by suggesting they will struggle to win many games this season.

And that's a mistake.

The Packers may have lost Aaron Rodgers and some of his favorite targets, but this isn't a roster lacking star players. Green Bay has several All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, rising stars, and breakout candidates.

Matt LaFleur's team continues to get written off. But they should use it as fuel, motivation to remind everyone they are indeed nobody's underdog, to steal a phrase from Mike McCarthy.

One such gloomy Packers prediction comes from NFL.com.

NFL.com makes depressing bold prediction for Packers

In a recent article for NFL.com, Adam Schein made nine bold predictions for the upcoming season.

One was that Green Bay will finish with the league's second-worst record. Schein argues that they will struggle to overcome the loss of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams from the past two offseasons.

Schein writes:

"Packers coach Matt LaFleur is already preaching patience with Jordan Love. That underscores my worst fears about a quarterback who seemed like a reach as a first-round pick: At best, Love is green; at worst, he's inept. Green Bay's fragile offensive line sure doesn't ease concerns, either. And Joe Barry's defense took a step back in 2022."

Schein is correct about the defense. Joe Barry's unit failed to meet expectations last season. And there is uncertainty as the Packers move forward with Jordan Love.

However, some pushback is needed. LaFleur's comment about needing patience doesn't tell us anything other than the Packers have an inexperienced quarterback. He is taking pressure off Love by saying that. That doesn't mean the former first-rounder can't have an excellent first season as the starter.

Where Schein is completely wrong is with his concerns about the Packers' "fragile offensive line."

Outside of David Bakhtiari's injury problems, the Packers had stability along the line last year. Jon Runyan Jr. and Josh Myers started every game, Elgton Jenkins made 15 starts and Yosh Nijman 13.

According to ESPN, Green Bay ranked fifth in pass block win rate and eighth in run block win rate. They gave up 32 sacks, seventh-fewest in the NFL.

Jenkins made the Pro Bowl, while Bakhtiari proved he was still a dominant pass-protector when healthy. Rookie Zach Tom stepped in at multiple positions and showed huge upside.

Green Bay's roster is simply too talented to have the second-worst record in the league, even if Love struggles.

There isn't a question about talent on defense. Joe Barry's unit features eight first-round picks, an All-Pro cornerback, All-Pro linebacker, and Pro Bowl defensive lineman.

Green Bay has a favorable schedule and plays in a wide-open division. This team is talented enough to remain competitive and win games.

The Packers may not win the NFC North or even reach the postseason. But finish with the second-worst record in football? No chance.

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