Unless we got some “homeruns” from the draft I think this team is still one or two positions from another Lombardi but I do think they can take back the NFC North if, as stated above, they get more consistent line play on both sides, less injuries, and can cover the middle against good QB’s. Here’s hoping both Harris & Woodson have Pro Bowl years, at the same time….

There is a publicity element to these types of rankings that favors the bold or novel prediction. I question whether King really thinks GB is the best team. I suspect that he doesn’t but that GB and SD are the two teams among the top 8 or so that will elicit the biggest reaction, will seem bold and daring for him to pick as “the best”.

That said, on substance if both lines are improved (the major focus of the offseason) that ought to improve every other facet of the team, including the defensive backfield and LBs. No team can win without dominant lines. It’s like pitching in baseball, everything else plays off of the lines. TT and MM seem to think that the best way to improve the D was to make the defensive line rotation deeper. Its a sound strategy in my opinion, but it comes down to the players they chose being good enough to execute.

Rodgers alone makes the Pack a threat to win it all for the next 5 years at least. Quarles may add another weapon to the passing game a la Chewy/Jackson in the late 90′s. I don’t know if this is the year, but they have assembled a lot of talent . . . I would much rather be under the radar, however.

The offense played amazing down the stretch last year. Even in the two losses (Pittsburgh and AZ) the offense clearly did more then enough to win those games. Five TD’s in five strait possessions in the playoff game and they don’t win? The line will be better. Finley found his stride and he should further open things up for the offense especially in the red zone. Barring injuries I just can’t imagine this offense not being more potent this year.

I think special teams will play a big role this year if they want to get over the hump. Field position is a big deal in this league and the Packers in almost every game gave up field position because of ST’s play. They need better production on kick and punt returns. Blackmon was very effective punt returner in 2008 and a much better KR then Jordy Nelson. Getting him back healthy could greatly improve the KR and punt return production. They obviously also need a punter that can actually improve the field position battle instead of seeding yards to the other team week in and week out.

2. 51 sacks: 80% of these happened in the first 10 games. Again, an area to watch, but if they stay at 1 or 2 sacks a game, this shouldn’t be a problem.

I do agree that these two issues (pass defense & O-line) are the Packers biggest issues right now. But I think they are eminently solvable. And if they do solve them, the Packers are well positioned to challenge the Vikings for the NFC North (even if F*vre comes back), and make a run (as they say) “deep into the playoffs”.

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Let’s add in the memory of 51 sacks in 16 games. If that is repeated, GB may have to rely on Flynn to lead the team. The Oline picked up two guys in the draft. Nice! Anyone ready to bet whether Newhouse is another Josh Sitton or Meridith?

My guess at this time is they are pretty much what they were coming into last year. Some potential they didn’t have last year and a little more experience will mark this year’s team. 11-5 was very good. Any improvement will move them ahead again. 12-4 would not be out of the question. It will be a good year again, but the SB is still a real crap shoot this year.

Seattle, seriously? Pete Carroll will need to be a Parcells-level genius to even get them close to 8 wins next year.

You want a sleeper team? How ’bout the Raiders? Yeah, they’ve had at least 11 losses every season since ’02, but… Last year, they showed some spark beating the Steelers and Bengals (not so coincidentally, when JaMarcus Russell wasn’t playing). They’re in a weak division, and have 4 games vs the NFC West.

The Lions are another team that bear watching. If they stay healthy (especially Stafford and Johnson), and Suh has a solid rookie season–that might be all it would take to get them to 8 wins this year.

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