Here is my prediction for the Packers' season:

at MIN: L, 23-7 (I'd predicted a 27-24 loss)
vs CHI: W, 27-10
at TB: W; A couple months ago, this was the one sure-fire loss I had for the Packers, but with all the injuries TB has, I'd say it's definitely winnable. My prediction is 7-3, with Kenny Clark being the hero of the game
vs NE: W
vs NYG (in London): W
vs NYJ: W
at WAS: W
at BUF: L
at DET: W
vs DAL: W
vs TEN: W
at PHI: L
at CHI: W
vs LAR: W
at MIA: L
vs MIN: W
vs DET: W

I had the Packers at 12-5 but with all of TB's injuries I think they can get back to 13-4. It won't be easy, though.

Great article Ken.
And I agree, the schedule looks more difficult, but we’re no where near our potential yet—especially the defense.

Maybe this is that point where Watson breaks out as a major part of the game plan. We're going to have to do more than "Run. The. Ball." or whatever to keep the Bucs defense off balance; they've only given up one TD so far, and they'll be waiting for Jones, Dillon, and Cobb. I think we'll need to throw a few curves at them to win.

Rest of the schedule? One game at a time. Upsets and surprises aren't uncommon early in the season. No, I'm not worried about the Jets, and are we sure the Lions are sufficiently "feisty" (this adjective is getting overused, now) enough to threaten the Packers in a meaningful game? I'll believe it when I see it.

This story is a perennial favorite. The names get changed but it’s the same story.

😎. You have half your games at home, and you have to defend your turf. Our toughest home games this year should be _______________and __________________

😎 half your games are on the road, including three against division opponents. Our most difficult road games will be _______________and__________________

Obviously, injuries are the great equalizer. I think our toughest road games are Tampa and Buffalo. The Rams look like they might be the toughest team we play at home. If you aspire to 12 wins, you need to win all your home games and half of your road games.

Give it a month at least. That’s what it takes to really know who is what. Then injuries can overturn that too.

Philly squeaked by Detroit and then beat a Vikings team that pulled a LaFleur only bigger: running Cook only 6 times in the game and losing their cool when the Eagles actually covered Jefferson. Thielen might be feeling somewhat forgotten.

The Vikings had a coaching nightmare and a QB melt down. Does that make the Eagles a real contender? Are Detroit? No one knows. I’m pretty confident the Bears still suck, but the extremes are always easier to identify.

It is much too early to even look at the won-loss column yet. Yes Tampa looks good but they havent played up to snuff offensively and defensively they played a Dallas team that was without Dak at the end of the game and he looked like he didnt have any receivers at the start of the game - and Elliot isnt what he once was. NO same thing. So it is easy to look good statistically there. The same with the NY Giants - Tennessee played horrible both games and gave up a late TD and 2 point conversion but neither team has looked really good. The problem is as the commentators have all been saying - most teams dont play their starters and it takes up to 3 games for those teams to get organized. Ravens with that D giving up all those easy long TD's? Some coaches are good getting ready - Andy R - and some are not so good aka Lafleur . I actually think that Detroit is going to give us the toughest challenge in our division.

This is a tough schedule period. Many of these teams have so far, excellent passing games. Our pass d will either rise to the occasion or keep us out on of the playoffs. Teams avoid Alexander so he twiddles his thumbs, the rest of the cast needs to step up.

Nice piece on the topsy turvy nature of the NFL. I agree with some so called experts that it takes 5 to 6 games to get a true reading of a team. And you got to figure on some injuries along the way. Already the Packers are having injury problems at wide receiver. Those hamstrings are always tricky. we await Friday's injury report with anxiety.

I don't think quotes by the head coach really count as reasons for optimism. Head coaches do not give objective evaluations of their teams when talking to the media.

The Packers should get better, but it's hard to tell. There was no reason for the defense to start the way it did in Minnesota. They have the same DC and most of the same players from last year. Good to see them improve against the Bears, but the Bears offense looks pretty awful this year, as usual.

Missing training camp was a huge setback for Christian Watson, and right now he does not look close to becoming an impact player. With Watkins, Lazard, and Doubs in front of him in the rotation, that may not happen this year.

The O-line is where they could improve the most, especially if David Bahktiari comes back. That's what I'm hoping for the most.

I think your game prediction is about right Ken.

Yes, right now, the schedule looks tougher regarding those teams. While these teams have a hot start its only two games and many teams will go back to the mean. The Dolphins were a team who ended well last year and was already ascending upwards, that will be a tough game. NYG are not a very good team and Philly while very impressive start might be a team who ends up around 500 ball. In addition, you could also say that Dallas, NE and Titans look worse than predicted and at home we will be heavy favorites in those games. The strength of schedule has ebbs and flows throughout the year.

This is a big game to win, one that many of us chalked up as a loss.