Here’s a look at the team preview for the Green Bay Packers:

Coaching Staff: 

  • Head Coach–  Mike McCarthy (13th season)
  • Offensive Coordinator– Joe Philbin (10th season)
  • Defensive Coordinator- Mike Pettine (1st season)
  • Special Teams– Ron Zook (5th year)

ODDS TO WIN:

  • NFC Championship- 9/2
  • Super Bowl- 12/1
  • Over/Under Win Totals- 10

Last 4 Season Win Totals:

  • 2014- 13
  • 2015- 11
  • 2016- 12
  • 2017- 7

The Offense

Quarterbacks:

Things didn’t go so well for coach McCarthy or quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He broke his collarbone for the second time in his career last season and the team struggled. Without him, they went 5-12-1. Brett Hundley did an admirable job as the backup but he is just average at best. This year, DeShone Kizer will be challenging for the backup role after Green Bay traded for him.

Running Backs:

Jamal Williams got his opportunity to run and in the last eight games, he averaged 65.3 yards per game. Aaron Jones finished with 448 yards on 5.5 yards per carry. Ty Montgomery, a wide receiver, was converted to running back for a period of time last season. This area is a concern if Rodgers can’t throw.

Receivers:

Jordy Nelson is gone. He was released after a bad season in 2017. Devante Adams was inked to a four-year contract extension in December and will be the guy most targeted by Aaron Rodgers. Randall Cobb is a secondary target and now recently signed tight end Jimmy Graham will be a target.

Offensive Linemen:

David Bakhtiari is one of Aaron Rodgers favorite players on the field. He protects the quarterback’s blindside and does it very well. Lane Taylor is penciled in at left guard and Center Corey Linsley received a contract extension.

The Defense

Defensive Linemen:

Muhammed Wilkerson was signed as a free agent and this squad could be the best on paper. Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels both bring veteran presence along with Dean Lowry.

Linebackers:

Nick Perry and Clay Matthews each have trouble staying healthy and combined they eat a bunch of salary from the Packers. Inside linebacker Blake Martinez led the Packers in tackles with 158 and is on the verge of being a Pro Bowl candidate. Oren Burks was selected in the third round of the draft and could crack the starting rotation.

Secondary:

Of all the groups, this is likely the weakest. They were poor last year and Damarious Randall was traded away and safety Morgan Burnett left via free agency. The first two picks in the NFL draft by Green Bay were first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander of Louisville and in round two they nabbed Josh Jackson from Iowa. Kevin King will begin his second year and with is big frame there is plenty of hope for improvement.

Special Teams

In the NFL draft, they selected punter JK Scott from Alabama and long snapper Hunter Bradley. Returning will be punt returner, Trevor Davis. Davis was third in the NFL in punt returns and seventh on kickoffs.

The Schedule

Preseason Schedule:

August 9-   Titans    HOME   7 PM

August 16-   Steelers   HOME   7 PM

August 24-  Raiders    AWAY   9:30 PM

August 30-   Chiefs     AWAY   7:30 PM

Regular Season Schedule:

(all games Central time)

September 9-  Bears    HOME   7:20 PM

September 16-   Vikings  HOME  NOON

September 23-  Redskins  AWAY  NOON

September 30- Bills   HOME   NOON

October 7-   Lions    AWAY    NOON

October 15-  49’ers   HOME  7:15 PM

October 21-    BYE WEEK

October 28- LA Rams   AWAY   3:25 PM

November 4-  Patriots  AWAY   7:20 PM

November 11- Dolphins  HOME NOON

November 15-  Seahawks  AWAY  7:20 PM

November 25-  Vikings  AWAY   7:20 PM

December 2-  Cardinals  HOME NOON

December 9-  Falcons   HOME  NOON

December 16-  Bears   AWAY   NOON

December 23-  NY Jets   AWAY  NOON

December 30-  Lions    HOME    NOON

Other Information

President/CEO- Mark Murphy-

General Manager- Brian Gutekunst

Phone- 920-569-7500

Website- www.packers.com

Stadium- Lambeau Field

Capacity- 81,435

Surface- SISgrass