Ramrod: Green Bay Packers Season Preview

2012 Record: 11-5

2012 Rankings

Total Offense: 13

Passing Offense: 9

Rushing Offense: 20

Scoring Offense: 5

Total Defense: 11

Passing Defense: 11

Rushing Defense: 17

Scoring Defense: 11

Offense

Any offense with Aaron Rodgers at the helm is going to be in the conversation for one of the best passing offenses in the league. Even with the departures of Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, the Packers have enough depth at wide receiver to create mismatches all over the field. Green Bay played most of last season with Jennings injured, so the transition to a passing game without him should be relatively easy. The biggest concern continues to be the offensive line where LT Brian Bulaga went down with a season-ending injury in training camp. The Packers spent two draft picks on running backs (Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin) who figure to share the load for a team that really only runs as an afterthought.

Defense

The Packers defense has been their downfall the last two years in the postseason, giving up 37 points to the Giants in 2011 and 45 to the 49ers last year. The Packers pass rush is a bit of an enigma. The team was 4th in the league with 46 sacks in 2012 with Clay Matthews leading the team with 13 sacks. However, no other player had more than 4.5 sacks, a sign that the Pack is still seeking a reliable pass rusher opposite Matthews. The Packers are good enough in the secondary, and only gave up 300+ passing yards twice last season.

Intangibles

The Packers still have holes such as a consistent pass rush, a running game and the ability to defend the run. However, with Aaron Rodgers this team will be a competitor again this season and right in the middle of the NFC playoff race.

Prediction

The Packers were snakebit with injuries last season (James Jones and Jermichael Finley were the only two offensive skill position players to play in all 16 games). If the receivers can stay healthy this season, there's no reason the Packers won't be at the top of the heap. 12-4