NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC North Green Bay Packers

Today we finish up the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers

Last Season: 11-5, NFC Wildcard (Lost to Cardinals in Wildcard Game)

2010 NFL Draft: OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowan, Rd. 1/Pick 23), DT Michael Neal (Purdue, Rd. 2/Pick 24), S Morgan Burnett (Ga. Tech, Rd. 3/Pick 7), TE Andrew Quarless (Penn St., Rd. 5/Pick 23), OG Marshall Newhouse (TCU, Rd. 5/Pick 28), RB James Starks (Buffalo, Rd. 6/Pick 24), DE C.J. Wilson (East Carolina, Rd. 7/Pick 23)

Key Additions: P Chris Bryan (Free Agency)

Key Losses: LB Aaron Kampman (to Jaguars), DE Mike Montgomery (to Vikings)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Eagles

Week 2: Bills

Week 3: @ Bears

Week 4: Lions

Week 5: @ Redskins

Week 6: Dolphins

Week 7: Vikings

Week 8: @ NY Jets

Week 9: Cowboys

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: @ Vikings

Week 12: @ Falcons

Week 13: 49ers

Week 14: @ Lions

Week 15: @ Patriots

Week 16: NY Giants

Week 17: Bears

Analysis: The Packers started last year 4-4, and then realized how good they were and finished on a 7-1 roll. In the third year of the Aaron Rodgers era, the team is better than any of the past three years. Ryan Grant proved he was a good runner last year and will again pump out the yards that are needed from him. The receivers are top notch, with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee topping the list. Rodgers keeps growing, and he makes smart choices. The way the team lost to the Cardinals in the wildcard round was unreal, and not likely to happen again. Bulaga will help with depth on the offensive line as well. The defense is solid. The defensive line has depth with Cullen Jenkins, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Neal and Wilson. The loss of Johnny Jolly for the season will hurt, but the Packers will recover. A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Clay Matthews will again lead the linebackers. Matthews came to last year after stepping in at linebacker. Charles Woodson, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, hopes to step up the rest of the secondary, and if Atari Bigby, Nick Collins and Al Harris can stay healthy, this defense will be solid. The Packers will have to deal with the Vikings again, but they are more than equipped for it.

2010 Season Predictions: 14-2, NFC North Division Champs