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
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