The 2019 NFC NORTH Title?

[texaspackerbacker]

The Bears played over their heads last year and lost several pretty good players. They should be worse. The Vikings always find a way to choke, and they at best, didn't improve in the off-season. The Lions aren't even worth considering. The Packers greatly under-performed last year. Just playing up to the expected normal would place them at the top of the division. The free agent pick-ups and the much improved defense that should result, plus presumably a more creative offense make the sky the limit.

[Upnorth]

I like the way you think. Chicago defense should experience regression to the mean. Plus they lost one of the best safety in the league

[Radagast]

Wow, I'm constantly amazed by post in this forum and in others as loyal Packer fans write down their fantasies instead of stating things as they truly are. I too want GB to win and never loose a game, but I know that has little chance of happening.

Face the real facts, he Bears had and will again have a great Defense. Their acquisition of Mack gave them both a great player and a leader for their Defense. I don't see the Clinton-Dix trade as a gain for the Bears, unless he steps up his game play over last season. In fact, GB might just come out ahead on that deal by getting Adrian Amos.

Trubisky is well thought of by the sports writers/broadcasters, many of which far former players themselves. I've watched him steadily improve and would rate him as a top 15 NFL QB. No he is not a Brady or Rodgers or Brees, but he is a solid journeyman working toward the master craftsman level.

As for GB, I believe that the new offensive system will take a few games to get the chemistry right. Until then, GB's defense will be called upon to keep the Packers in close games. That said and barring injuries, GB has a good shot at tying Chicago for the NFC North and could come down to PF/PA totals.

As much as we love our Packers, let's not let blind emotions keep us from facing the reality of what is , instead of allowing fantasy and dreams to rule over truth.

[Upnorth]

It is rare to see a defense that makes a large jump in quality for a year maintain the same level of effectivness the second year. They rend to regress to the mean. Admittedly Mack is a difference maker, so it is possible the jump is sustainable, but os was a top ten safety before he got there. Not saying the bears will fall out of top 10 d, but they were outstanding Last year. Very few teams can maintain that quality.

[mraynrand]

Wow, I'm constantly amazed by post in this forum and in others as loyal Packer fans write down their fantasies instead of stating things as they truly are.

So you're saying you're amazed by typical fan behavior

[ThunderDan]

So you're saying you're amazed by typical fan behavior

TPB and Radagast should get a room. Two old men shouting at each other.

[MadScientist]

I agree with those odds... throw a dart at any of GB, MINN, or CHI.

I think Chicago catches a break by playing us week 1. We're going to need some time to get in sync on offense, and the defense has a slew of new parts. Chicago on the other hand, will be more comfortable in their skin, with Nagy and Trubisky having a year together.

Would be surprised if GB can go into Chicago on opening night and leave with a W.

Here's how. HA HA has spend year of practice against AR in the old system, but none against the new one. If the Packers can scheme a few plays that give the old look, but have a new wrinkle, they should be able to get HA HA to bite and leave a guy running free. Then design a few plays that force HA HA to try to tackle a TE or RB

In general, who has the advantage week 1 with a new offense? The offense who hasn't seen much live action, or the defense that doesn't know what to prepare for. History has shown that defenses need to see the looks on tape to prepare well.

[Zool]

It is rare to see a defense that makes a large jump in quality for a year maintain the same level of effectivness the second year. They rend to regress to the mean. Admittedly Mack is a difference maker, so it is possible the jump is sustainable, but os was a top ten safety before he got there. Not saying the bears will fall out of top 10 d, but they were outstanding Last year. Very few teams can maintain that quality.

Agreed.

Bears had everything come together last season and still didn't make any playoff noise. They went to the SB with Sexy Rexy and took a big step back the next year. It happens a lot. Bears will be a 10 or 11 win team. If they get hit hard by injuries this year they will be an 8-9 win team.

Try to find someone on the Bears injury list last year that actually matters. Maybe Kyle Long?

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...8_injuries.htm

Packers list for comparison

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...8_injuries.htm

[Cheesehead Craig]

And unless you are the Pats and get to play the AFC East every year, 12 wins/season is hard to duplicate. A lot has to go right, especially injuries.

[Radagast]

TPB and Radagast should get a room. Two old men shouting at each other.

First, I prefer separate rooms at a 5 star hotel. Second, being young is a most valuable time in any life and I hope that you can appreciate it. As for being a senior, I've outlived a lot of people in my time and attribute much to learning early that respect and knowledge are two of the greatest things in life. I try to respect the young and try to increase their knowledge when practical.

Disrespecting others in an attempt at humor is not only juvenile, but lowers ones respect level among the adults. Most do finally grow up and move up in life. However their are some that retire still taking out the garbage and sweeping the floors.

As a Packer fan, I can still respect players/teams that may be better than my team. Acknowledging another team's offense/defense is the first step to improving to beat them. Stopping the run, pass protecting, getting turnovers, or defending against a rated passing attack are areas that can help to elevate a team from average to above average or better. Pulling your head out of the sand to see reality is the first step to get better.

I feel good that the Packers defense will again see improvement this season. More experience, better players, and team speed should render a top 10 defense in 2019 for the Packers.

The new offensive system that HC LaFleur is installing in GB will I believe be a great thing for the Packers. That said, I believe that it will take more than just the pre-season to see it become a well oiled machine. It may be week 5 or 6 before the new chemistry begins to click and GB rises to be a top 10 offence. Until that time, the defense will bear the greater load to keep the Packers in games.

[texaspackerbacker]

No offense, Radagast, but it galls me to be compared to you, and virtually every word of your post above illustrates why. Sheeeesh!

Getting old is mostly a product of acting old; Staying young is mostly a product of acting young and not letting yourself get old. If that's acting "juvenile" then I sure as hell plead guilty.

As for the Packers, I can only hope the "new offensive system" doesn't screw things up too bad, and that LaFleur has the good sense to subordinate what he maybe prefers to do to what works when you have the greatest QB in the history of the world. I do agree with you about defensive improvement, though.

How old are you anyway? Can you beat 72?

[gbgary]

rodgers-not-a-fan-of-giving-up-control-at-the-line-of-scrimmage
the tug-of-war has begun. smh

[texaspackerbacker]

If LaFleur has an ego fit and forces change, then the Packers will suffer extremely. Until proven different, though, I think LaFleur will have the good sense to go with what works. This is mostly just media pukes trying to stir up trouble where none exists.

[Radagast]

No offense, Radagast, but it galls me to be compared to you,

I did request separate rooms in a 5 Star Hotel. Also, I regularly pass by your post as every one is mainly a repeat of the one before. So stay in Texas, pack that pistol, and eat those smoking hot foods. At your age and at mine knowing what a Championship team looks like should be easy to picture. Overlooking this or that weakness in a team is commendable, but either says your dishonest or your just that easy to be lead by others.

Packers win the division, the Bears take a Wildcard spot.

[pbmax]

rodgers-not-a-fan-of-giving-up-control-at-the-line-of-scrimmage
the tug-of-war has begun. smh

Yeah, I saw this. Will be interesting to see if he really exercises this prerogative early just to show his coach that the QB is on equal footing or if he is just creating space to do it on an emergency basis. He even made a joke about the first play of the first game.

Man, this sounds so much like the retrospective comments about Favre's year in 2007. I hope it works out as well. Or better.

Just think, if someone had been thinking wisely about this they would have anticipated this reaction and helped build it, or corral it, into the offense. There is still a chance. We should send Tex north to negotiate with M4 and Hackett.