2014 Green Bay Packers Season Preview

College Football started up last week and now we're ready for some NFL action to begin. My Packers start the season tomorrow night and I couldn't be more pumped. Huge part of whether or not the season will be successful is staying healthy. Need our best players on both sides of the ball to remain healthy throughout the season. That's key for every team, but Green Bay seems to deal with a significant number of injuries to their best players year in and year out. That being said, we won Super Bowl XLV with a bunch of guys injured.

OFFENSE

Green Bay's offense has been its glaring strength the last few years, and I don't expect that to change at all this year. 

Aaron Rodgers, QB

Best QB in the league. You can make an argument for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning an Drew Brees but I'll take Aaron any day. I mean, have you seen the guy throw a football? Incredible velocity and accuracy on every pass. He's just as good throwing on the run as he is in the pocket and if he can't find an open man, he'll run 15 yards for the first down. 

Eddie Lacy, RB

Wait, is this the coolest picture of all time? Gotta be top 5 at least, no? Lacy is coming off a superb rookie season (won Offensive ROY) and I expect him to have an even better season this year. Head Coach Mike McCarthy said that he wants Lacy to be a consistent 3 down back which will not only get him more carries, but it'll get him more receptions out of the backfield as well. Another huge year for Eddie in 2014.

Jordy Nelson, WR

One of the most underrated players in the league. He had somewhat of a down year last year since he played half the games without Aaron Rodgers throwing to him, but he was still one of the best receivers in the league. I'm expecting a big bounce back year for the Packers offense, so I'm expecting a huge year from Jordy.

Randall Cobb, WR

Again, one of the most underrated players in the game. He did miss most of last year with a knee injury, but when he's on the field he's one of the most explosive, exciting players in the league. Breakout year for Cobb this year.

A big key on offense for the Pack will be whether the offensive line can protect Aaron Rodgers. They're consistently awful at doing so and Rodgers can usually handle it but I'd prefer to not have Aaron on the sidelines for 8 games again this year.

DEFENSE

The defense has consistently sucked for the last couple of seasons, and it's time for things to turn around. Hopefully (unlikely though) Dom Capers made some strategic changes to his defensive schemes due to a couple key additions.

Clay Matthews, LB

Can he stay healthy? That's always the key for Clay. When he's on the field he's nothing but a playmaker, but he needs to stay healthy.

Julius Peppers

The Packers signed Peppers in the offseason hoping he can create a dynamic duo with Clay Matthews in the front seven of the defense. It would be HUGE for Green Bay if he can be productive, especially at getting to the quarterback.

Sam Shields, CB

Sam Shields is probably Green Bay's best cover corner. Tramon Williams didn't have a great year last year, and Shields emerged as the Packers' best option for stopping an opponent's number 1 receiver. He could have a big year this year, and he needs to have one if the Packers defense wants to be a formidable one.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS

Green Bay got exactly what they wanted in the draft this year. Clinton-Dix should provide the much needed safety help for the Packers. Green Bay didn't have a single pick from a safety last year. That should change this year with Ha Ha out there.

SCHEDULE

Tough schedule, but that's what you get when you consistently win the division every year. However, the stretch run, with the exception of New England should be fairly easy. Bye week directly in the middle of the season, 5 out of the last 8 at home. If Green Bay can even go 5-3 on the front 8, there's no reason why they shouldn't end up 12-4 at least.

Prediction: 13-3 and 1st in NFC North

Super Bowl Champions

Aaron Rodgers: NFL MVP

Ha Ha: Defensive ROY

Alright there it is. Time to get out there and DESTROY the Seahawks' vaunted defense.

Am I the only one who could literally watch that forever? God damn, he's good. If you're a football fan, you'd have no problem watching all 10:50 of that video. 

#GoPackGo