NFL Preview- Green Bay Packers

We get to the NFC North now, continuing our NFL preview.  The Green Bay Packers are looking to win the division again and prove they are much better than the 8-7-1 record they had a year ago.  Of course, that included several games without quarterback Aaron Rodgers who injured his non-throwing shoulder was lost for several weeks.

Rodgers is back at QB for the Packers, and, hopefully, a healthy year for him.  If he does end up injured, Matt Flynn is back as the number two man-- after failing to win and keep starting jobs in Seattle and Oakland the last two seasons.  If Rodgers can stay healthy, the Packers will be in a great position to win a seemingly weak division.

Rodger's has plenty of weapons to throw to.  Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remain his top two targets.  James Jones is gone, but Green Bay has confidence in Jarrett Boykin.  Andrew Quarless is now the top choice at tight end, replacing Jermichael Finley.

Eddie Lacy solidified the running game as a rookie last year.  Along with James Starks, Lacy is once poised for another 1,000 yard season.  DuJuan Harris completes the RB tandem for Green Bay.  Unfortunately, Jonathan Franklin, also drafted along with Lacy last year, was forced to retire after a serious neck injury.

Clay Matthews returns as the team's top pass rusher, and Julius Peppers was signed to help out in that department.  Nick Perry is top man in the middle at linebacker.  Sam Shields returns as the top corner in the secondary.  Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was drafted to help Morgan Burnett at the safety position. Unfortunately, the Packers have already lost B.J. Raji for the season; leaving a huge hole in the interior of the defensive line.

Let's take a look at their 2014 season outlook:

Week 1- They opened up the season in Seattle and were trounced 36-16.  Green Bay stands at 0-1.

Week 2- Green Bay hosts the New York Jets for their home opener.  Packers bounce back and are now 1-1.

Week 3- Packers head to Detroit to face the Lions in what should be an offensive explosion for both teams.  Rodgers is the better of the two QBs and will earn the win and get to 2-1.

Week 4- They travel to Chicago and face the team that could challenge them in the division. The Bears get the close win at home.  They drop to 2-2.

Week 5- In a short week, Green Bay plays their second Thursday Night game and bounce back at home against Minnesota.  Packers are now 3-2.

Week 6- They head to Miami and win back-to-back for the first time this season.  Green Bay gets to 4-2.

Week 7- Packers host the Carolina Panthers and find a way to give Cam Newton fits.  In a hard fought game, Green Bay gets by with the win and are now 5-2.

Week 8- They head to New Orleans and the defense struggles against a marquee offense.  They drop to 5-3.

Week 9- Bye Week

Week 10- Green Bay hosts Chicago in the return affair and get a little payback.  They're now 6-3.

Week 11- Packers welcome the Philadelphia Eagles for a battle of high-octane offenses.  Green Bay uses the home-field advantage for the win.  Pack Attack now 7-3.

Week 12- They head to Minnesota to face a struggling Vikings and earn the sweep.  Green Bay has another winning streak going, now 8-3.

Week 13- Green Bay hosts New England and Tom Brady finds a way to steal one from the Packers.  They fall to 8-4.

Week 14- They host Atlanta on Monday Night and use the December cold to their advantage.  Lacy pounds Green Bay to a big victory; Packers improve to 9-4.

Week 15- Packers head to Buffalo and show they have the more complete team to get to 10-4.

Week 16- Green Bay heads to Tampa Bay.  The much-improved Buccaneers get a nice statement win as the Packers fall to 10-5.

Week 17- They close out at home, with a shot at winning the division, against the Lions.  Another offensive shootout that is won by Green Bay for the sweep.  They finish the season 11-5.

As long as Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, Green Bay is the best team in the North.  As long as Rodgers stays healthy, they are considered legitimate contenders in the NFC.  If he goes down, the Packers will be lucky to make the playoffs.