Lean ...on...Jones!

The same thing can be said for Trubinski....he hasn’t played in the pre season either, so getting hit by some of our new guys should make this whole thing interesting. As far as the Bears D....they are outstanding. But they have never seen the new Packer offense either. I expect a ton of AJones in the running and passing game. This will hopefully open up the passing game and we are off to the races. Time will tell!

I agree, I really don’t know what this offense will look like. But on paper the defense looks better. And I really really hope the STs have improved. What’s interesting this year is the enforcement of holding and the like on the offensive line. It’s seems to be stricter this year.

I really like this article Cory, maybe the best I've seen from you. You make some excellent points in regards to how will AR react to getting hit the first time all season?
As well as how others like LaFluer and Adams will handle adversity. I think those 3 will have the biggest impact and effect as to how the offense operates as a unit, mentally and physically out on the field.

"How will Z'Darius Smith make people forget about Clay Matthews?"

Ummmm... By actually getting more than 3.5 sacks...By generating more pressures and QB hits...By having other players who can provide pressure other than just CMIII himself (sometimes).

I have to be honest here Cory, I haven't thought of Matthews even once unless I read his name in an article. Please understand I'm not tearing down Matthews and/or what he meant to the GBP. I LOVED Matthews as a Packer. BUT let's face it, Matthews hadn't been Matthews since 2014. Gute has done a magnificent job of rebuilding this defense on the fly in 2 short seasons.

Your 100% correct Cory...Rodgers doesn't have to do it all by himself. He's finally got a defense again he can lean on. It may take a few weeks for the offense to score 30 points or more. BUT starting week one this defense will keep most under 20 points which will be more than good enough for Rodgers.

Packers 20 Bears 16

The build up to this game has been amazing with all the off-season changes fueling hope for us Packer fans. I am hoping everyone can just sit back and enjoy this game. My main hope isn't so much the win or loss factor as it is that no key player gets injured seriously. It is a long season and a healthy Packers team will be in competition at the end. I am confidant of that!

By the way, all the ads popping up on the screen is really a bummer. Can hardly even post without having to knock down the ads repeatedly. Thanks!

Not too worried about Rodgers being gun shy. Lol

I have my own way of predicting game results - rating teams by their player's fantasy ranking. Packer offense; Rodgers gets picked at least 15 rounds ahead of what's-his-name. Davante is a 1st rounder and gets picked 10 rounds ahead of Robinson. Aaron Jones is a 2nd rounder and gets picked two rounds ahead of Montgomery. Tarik Cohen gets picked ahead of Allison but MVS gets picked and no other Bear receiver. Their D gets picked ahead of ours but many are taking the Packer D as a big sleeper pick. Looks like an easy win for the Pack.

“This is one of the oddest Packers teams to predict because it is all so new. “

I couldn’t agree more, whatever happens, it’s going to be exciting...let the year begin!

I would love to see the Packers come out this week and emphasize the run and the short passes to backs and TEs in the flat. The Packers haven't had an offense that forces an eighth man into the box for years, and if they can do enough to force the Bears to commit an extra man up front, it will give the passing game much more room to breathe.

Another way I like to predict a season is by looking realistically at how many potential All-Pro players are on the team. Last year the only ones going in were Rodgers, Adams, Bak, and Clark. No one else really looked to be in that category. This year those four and add in Jaire, Z'Smith, Amos, and Aaron Jones. Combine them with upgrades like Savage, P. Smith, Turner, and much greater depth at CB and both lines... Pack wins the Division easily.

Rodgers should be relaxed in this offense as it protects him by running the ball more and for the first time in a long time it isn't all on his shoulders. He has Lafleur, Hackett and Getsy all there to put a lot of the load on their shoulders.

As always, it all comes down to the play on the line of scrimmage.

I think this is the most important road game we play this year. This and @Minnesota.

Cory mentioned starting out slow....we don't have that luxury. A loss @Chicago and then another at home to Minnesota leaves us 0-2 in the division and that's not how you win a division title.

Of the two, it's more important to win the Minnesota game at home. If we can just manage to defend our homefield we'll have a chance at the playoffs.

I'm from the school of thought that says football games are not won, they are lost, and they are lost by turnovers, penalties, and poor execution. I think the Packers are more likely to lose this game than the Bears are, and I think we're going to start 0-1.

The Bears will be looking to make a statement and some revenge for the defeat in last season's opener.

The Packers will be looking to show that the Rodgers-MLF connection is on the same page though many variations of that page exist.

Rodgers doesn't have to do it all..but habits can be hard to break. Depending on how successful the Bears defense is in the first half, may decide Rodgers thinking/playing in the second half as a bad start may leave Rodgers questioning MLF's halftime adjustments.
Rodgers NEEDS this win also and he knows it. It's not season ending but more legacy rebuilding starting and it needs some of that even if some deny it.

Packers 23-20...Crosby with the winner.

This team is difficult to predict because of its new HC and the question marks for many of its players. This is and will be a very different Packers team than the team that we have seen over the last several years.

On offense we have 5-6 quality NFL players who we know can consistently play at a high level. Rodgers, at an MVP level (when healthy), Bak (all-pro level), Linsley, Bulaga, Adams (all-pro level), and maybe Aaron Jones if he stays healthy. After that both guards are question marks as of now. After Adams the WR talent falls off significantly, unless someone steps up. As of today the entire TE group is a question mark. At RB no one in the group is a difference maker after Aaron Jones.

Defense is a better situation. Clark is a force to be reckoned with and the rest of the DL rotation is pretty solid. OLBs are a revamped group with more speed than we have seen in years. Z. Smith can be a difference maker, Preston Smith a solid NFL player, Gary a question mark at this point but he brings speed and athleticism and Fackrell who can be put into situations to be effective. ILB, not much after Martinez, but with the hybrids and situational defenses does it really matter? CBs can be excellent with Alexander and King, if King stays healthy. Plenty of solid depth behind them as well. Safeties, possibly our best tandem since Collins was back there. Amos is a solid player and Savage is fast and athletic. More speed and athleticism on the defense. The questions are will they play aggressively and with a sense of urgency and will they tackle better?

Special teams??? Can they be any worse than last season? I hope not.

Then there is MLF and his play calling. A big unknown at this point. How will he respond to adversity? Will he make sound adjustments at half time? Who knows? IMO I think that MLF will be very well prepared. I’m hoping that he gets his 1st win as an HC as soon as possible. That will take some pressure off of him and the team. The sooner the better.

The key factors for this season are: Aaron Rodgers remaining healthy (as always), the rest of the team remaining relatively healthy, how well MLF evolves into an NFL HC and play caller. Whether additional offensive skill players emerge besides Aaron Rodgers and Davonte Adams? Will the defense improve their tackling and play aggressively especially in terms of pressuring the QB? Will STs stop killing the team with stupid penalties?

If all of the above breaks right the Packers should go at least 10-6 this season. If not another 6 win season could be forthcoming. Whatever happens Thursday evening, let’s stay positive and remember that it’s only one game. The first game for a new coaching regime and in effect a new team. It worked out for Wolf and Holmgren and then for TT and MM (until it didn’t), we’ll be very fortunate fans if we get the same or similar results from Gute and MLF over the next 8-10 seasons. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ‘61

Cory, that was such a reasonable article in preparing Packers fans for what will probably be a tough opening game, I thought you'd get a lot of crap for it. For those who make the point the Bears didn't play their starters in preseason, the obvious difference is the Bears haven't installed a new offense and don't have 6 new starters on defense.

BTW, regarding a slow start to the season I remember a season in which the Packers started 3-3, including 1-1 in the division and that season turned out pretty well. But I don't think it's realistic to expect the Packers will challenge for a title this season. Its always more important to finish a season well than to start it well. I think that's even more important for the 2019 Packers.

Let's wait a few games before proclaiming that AR "doesn't have to do it all." Like the author said, this team doesn't have an identity, and most of the starters haven't seen any meaningful action yet. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but I'd like to see some evidence first before saying this team has turned the corner. People should be realistic in their expectations--the Packers are a work in progress at this point.

Great Post Since 61 !

I'm hoping to see Rodgers playing more like Tim Boyle and starts flinging it to the open man. With 2 solid guards now and a healthy Bulaga the line shouldn't leak like a sieve and force him to run for his life like Ben Gazzara. Think this year is going to be different. Would love to see the QB skin these bears and do it all right in the pocket. We shall see.

Cory, Your Quote: How will Z'Darius Smith make people forget about Clay Matthews?

There weren't many memorable moments to the play of Clay Mathews the last several seasons. He was a difference maker in his early in his career, but those years are a distant memory.

"I doubt he will be able to mimic the same Sunday night outcome" DUH. retort: What AR did in the opener last year was nothing short of Packer lore but also, let's not forget that MM didn't prepare properly for Mack

"receiver depth chart has a new wideout at the No. 2 and 3 spots and the starting tight end isn't that quick anymore and also cannot block" retort: GB possesses the best WR in the game @ what he does and MLF knows that as does Hackett..look for Adams to have an all pro year, predicting at least 10 targets to him on Thurs. Don't rest on the other emerging WR's...one other is going to have a good game too (Kumerow, G-mo or MVS)

"What is the identity of this team?" ANS: the new identity is just that, NEW! Gone are MM and his menu of same ole and IMHO, MLF is going to use his assistants to work up good schemes to win 1 on 1's. Look for AR getting the ball out sooner. Can't leave out Gutey and the fine job he's done to rebuild the D

I want the Packers to always play to win, but this game is different than a playoff game.
In other words, try just as hard to win, but do things more cautiously in this game to keep Rodgers from getting hurt.
Be patient in getting this offense to gel.
To me, that mostly means a lot more quick passes, from a variety of formations, and to different parts of the field.
For the most part, befuddle the Bears with creativity within 15 yards downfield, including a diverse mixture of runs.
***
I'm not so much concerned about Aaron Rodgers not playing during the preseason, as to why he didn't play.
In other words, I hope Rodgers with his high status isn't subtly intimidating our new head coach into doing things his way.
Please, Aaron, don't be a prima donna! Accept coaching! Run the plays the coach calls.
I think in his greatness Rodgers has earned the right to call some audibles and to have a say in the offense; but he has to save his authorizations to overrule the coach for rare occasions.
I'm a big fan of Rodgers, but he does seem to have a slyness about him that can be used for good or for ill.
Rodgers really has to support his coach by embracing his play calling and other decisions. That will set a huge example for the good of the whole team.
It's a subtle thing that depends on the good will of Aaron Rodgers. A sincere deference on his part will make all the difference in the world.

Ill take AR and the Pack over the bears this week providing there are no major injuries early in the game. Ie Ar, DBak or Bulaga.

We know nothing about coach LF, but I think it would be impossible to have a worse game plan than McPadlevel had vs the bears on opening day last year.

I think people need to pump the brakes on the Bears D. Sure they were good last year. But that was last year. They lost Fangio and that is huge. Pagano is no slouch BUT now they are learning a new scheme on D and they LOST their starting SS to GB and their starting nickel CB. They replaced those players with HaHa and Buster Skrine - major down grades.

Now factor in last year they had uncanny luck avoiding major injuries. I can't think of one starter on their D last year that missed significant time. No one was out for the year or more than a game or 2 at a time. I don't see that being repeated this year. Probability says someone will go down.

I just read an article today on PFF - GB has the 7th ranked OL heading into week 1. 7th!!! When is the last time ARod had a top 10 OL protecting him? GB is also coming out in an offense no one has seen them run so it's hard to prep for. There will be no defenders calling out our plays presnap. Play action and motion is going to (hopefully) hold their LBs for a sec or 2 - long enough to give our guys time to make a play. They won't be able to simply downhill crash the line like the last few years. Aaron Jones is going to be unleashed. MLF is going to actually run plays that scheme guys open so teams won't be able to simply press man and blitz blitz blitz. GB is a much younger and faster team than last year.

And let's be honest - are we really betting against ARod in the clutch? With an improved OL and improved D I like our chances. There might be a slow start in the 1st quarter but I fully expect ARod gets hot and lights it up. I mean it's the Bears - it's personal.

Wouldn't surprise me if this game goes into overtime. With the game on the line there's none better than ARod. If he gets protection he can pick any defense apart. And the main goal is for everyone to stay healthy for every snap of the ball. This will be a classic battle. It may very well come down to special teams play and/or turnovers. Go! Pack! Go!

Hopefully this new offense lives up to its scheming people open. Gonna need to hit quick passes coupled with an honest effort with the running game. I’m actually even more excited to see how this defense does. After years of poor 3rd down defense and giving up big plays, I’m looking forward to seeing some of that being a thing of the past. Win or lose, I wanna see a team that plays with energy, sound tackling, good special teams, and a certain level of being in sync. I can’t wait!!

I'm concerned about, 1st down run, 2 yard. 2nd down run 2 yards. 3rd down incomplete... punt.

repeat.

That is my concern.