packers win the division next year?

[red]

you know the record for the superbowl loser making the playoffs the next year isn't too good

does this open the door wider for us to not only make the playoffs, but win the division next season?

[digitaldean]

Re: packers win the division next year?

you know the record for the superbowl loser making the playoffs the next year isn't too good

does this open the door wider for us to not only make the playoffs, but win the division next season?

If you go off of trends, yes.

But the Packers need to make the right moves (plus find someone to get Schotty deported ANYWHERE!)

[RashanGary]

I think it's very possible. I think the young Packers are going to take big leaps forward.

Hawk, Jennings, Spits, Colledge, Moll, Collins, Poppinga, Rayner, Ryan, Jenkins, Cory Williams, John Jolly *I think he's going to play very well*, Morency

The we'll get another good draft class and a starter or two from FA and we'll be ready to roll through these pathetic teddy's.

[b bulldog]

Let's wait and see what happens in the draft and UFA before we predict anything. My bet would be second place at around 8-8

[Joemailman]

Keep in mind the Bears will be getting 2 Pro Bowl defensive players back. However, the QB position is a real problem for them. It's hard to imagine the team really having confidence in Grossman, and Griese isn't the answer.

The Packer, meanwhile, have closed the gap. If the Packers can improve red-zone efficiency, they have a chance to challenge the Bears.

[SD GB fan]

im going with 8-8 next season again. tougher schedule and the unexpected.

[Zool]

I'm confused by the tougher schedule argument. We still play the exact same teams as the rest of our division except 2.

6 NFC north
4 NFC division(dont remember which)
4 AFC division(see above)

That only leaves 2 games. The Bears had a 13-3 record and should play the tougher schedule.

This year we had the AFC east and NFC west. Hopefully we don't get the AFC south next year.

[LL2]

im going with 8-8 next season again. tougher schedule and the unexpected.

I’m going to go with 9-7. This young team will get better. The key will be winning games at home and winning those close ones. IF they can add another playmaker at #16, and get a couple solid veterans in UFA like Woodson to gel with the rest of the team they have a shot at the playoffs.

There was an article in the sports section of our local paper yesterday that said…”Favre back, will Packers spend some of their money?” With TT basically saying “don’t count on it.” He expressed his disdain for FA and said you build a championship team through the draft. So, when FA opens up in a few weeks expect the Packers to sit back and watch for a couple months like last year.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'm with Zool on this one. The division plays almost the same schedule. There is no real difference in who everyone plays (only 2 games difference). The whole "they play a much harder schedule than we do" argument is lost on me.

Oh, and we all get the NFC East and the AFC West next year.

[mmmdk]

The draft and free agency is the name of the game - TT has got to draft better and hit a few home runs in later rounds too. TT's 2005 draft is well below avg. plus the Rodgers factor and 2006 looks solid but not spectacular yet it's way too early as a handful of 2006 Packer rookies looks to get better.

Bears, Titans and Saints are the obvious home runners in the 2006 draft but teams like Pats, Colts and Eagles got major help via the draft too. Packers found solid help too hence the 8-8 record - maybe - or the cupcake schedule had a say too.

[wist43]

Why not...

Given that Minnesota doesn't have a QB, and Chicago is so inconsistent, and Detroit is Detroit... It's a very weak division.

Combine those with Favre coming back, and they have as good a shot as anyone else... Hell, given the overall weakness of the conference, they could even get past the first round of the playoffs.

It's really embarrassing how bad the NFC is.

[Partial]

Why not...

Given that Minnesota doesn't have a QB, and Chicago is so inconsistent, and Detroit is Detroit... It's a very weak division.

Combine those with Favre coming back, and they have as good a shot as anyone else... Hell, given the overall weakness of the conference, they could even get past the first round of the playoffs.

It's really embarrassing how bad the NFC is.

Not really. A Bears team with Tommy Harris can compete with anyone. An Eagles team with Donovan McNabb can compete with anyone. The Ravens are going to get old fast. Indy is going to lose at least one pro bowler in FA. San Diego is damn good.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Keep in mind the Bears will be getting 2 Pro Bowl defensive players back.

Can you bank on that? Brown gets injured almost every year. They also lost Harris, but this has been a defense that seems to get injuries every year, and I wonder if it's because of their style of play. Looking back, this has probably been one of their defenses healthier years. However, the Packers had very few injuries this year, and there's no guarantee that will happen again. It will probably fall somewhere in between 2005 and 2006 on the injury scale--hopefully closer to 2006.

[Partial]

Keep in mind the Bears will be getting 2 Pro Bowl defensive players back.

Can you bank on that? Brown gets injured almost every year. They also lost Harris, but this has been a defense that seems to get injuries every year, and I wonder if it's because of their style of play. Looking back, this has probably been one of their defenses healthier years. However, the Packers had very few injuries this year, and there's no guarantee that will happen again. It will probably fall somewhere in between 2005 and 2006 on the injury scale--hopefully closer to 2006.

True fact. Didn't really consider that. They severally need some depth on the OL. I have a hunch Barry and co are gone, and they continue revamping the back-ups.

[Packnut]

History

Keep in mind the Bears will be getting 2 Pro Bowl defensive players back.

Can you bank on that? Brown gets injured almost every year. They also lost Harris, but this has been a defense that seems to get injuries every year, and I wonder if it's because of their style of play. Looking back, this has probably been one of their defenses healthier years. However, the Packers had very few injuries this year, and there's no guarantee that will happen again. It will probably fall somewhere in between 2005 and 2006 on the injury scale--hopefully closer to 2006.

People don't pay enough attention to trends when it comes to the NFL. The losing SB does'nt go back. There are a myriad of reasons but the bottom line is they don't go back. Winning the division however is another story. The Bears should win it IF they remain healthy.

As for us, a lot of things need to happen. The young guys have to take the next step. Jennings need's to prove his start was'nt just an illusion. We need a #3WR and a tight end in order to have ANY chance at competing with Chicago. It could happen........