Discount Double Check-Down: Green Bay Packers Season Preview

2011 Record: 15-1

Lost in Divisional Round to NY Giants

2011 Ranks

Total Offense: 3

Run Offense: 27

Pass Offense: 3

Scoring Offense: 1

Total Defense: 32

Run Defense: 14

Pass Defense: 32

Scoring Defense: 19

Offense

Aaron Rodgers carried this team on his back to a 15-1 season and there's really no sign that the Packers offense will look any different this season. All of Rodgers' major weapons return and with a healthy JerMichael Finley, this offense could be even better. They also added free agent RB Cedric Benson, who could give them a between-the-tackles grinder that they haven't had in a few years.

Defense

The Packers offense was so good last year a lot of people overlooked just how bad their defense was. For a unit that seemingly has playmakers at all 3 levels (BJ Raji, Clay Mathews III, Charles Woodson) they didn't get a lot of pressure on the quarterback outside of Mathews (who only had 6 sacks) and their secondary was downright awful. The Packers brass took note and used their first 7 picks of the draft on defensive players, landing Nick Perry (DE/OLB - USC) in the first round.

Intangibles

Any time Aaron Rodgers is leading your offense, you're never out of a game. It doesn't really matter how good or bad their defense is, but if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl, they're going to have to defend the pass better.

Prediction

This is a tough division and the other teams have improved, but Green Bay is still head and shoulders better than the rest. 12-4.