2009 Green Bay Packers Predictions

Another off-season has come and (mostly) gone with the regular season only a few weeks away, I feel compelled to make my annual post. While I love watching the GBP and all that, normally I can't justify saying much about how they play. There are plenty of writers who have much better access and information than I do opining already. Sports isn't like other topics-for the most part what you see is what you get. Regardless, here goes.
The defense has a new scheme, the 3-4 and will hopefully learn to use it effectively this year. The player appear to be somewhat upgraded with DT/DE/NT Raji. The other high draft choice, LB Matthews may or may not be a starter this year; I'm leaning towards not. He has too much ground to make up from practice missed because of injury and the LBs already on the team don't appear willing to give up their jobs easily. The other defensive players are essentially unchanged except for being a year older. This is only a factor for the starting CBs, Woodson and Harris. Is this the year that Harris starts to get old? I'm not sure but he has seemed to wear down late in the season these last few years. Overall I would rate the defense somewhat better in terms of personnel and scheme.
The GBPs offense looks unchanged from last year, apart from the offensive line. That is however a big conditional statement there. LT Clifton appears likely to be the only holdover from the Packers dominant offensive lines from the past years and is getting old himself. How well the OL learns to work together will be a major though quiet story this season. WR Jennings earned a huge new contract and will lead a very good set of receivers this year. TE Finley in particular has appeared to improve from last season and could play a large role in this offense. QB Rogers looks very sharp and should only improve on his first season as a starter this year. With a healthy RB Grant, a settled offensive line, and the outstanding receiver group Rogers might have a monster year.
Special teams for GB have been at best mediocre and at worst an absolute disaster for several years, reflecting the team's general youth. Special teams are played by those not quite good enough to start but good enough to make a roster. With the Packers consistently the youngest team in the NFL that means lots of rookies and JAGs playing, and it showed every week. With the starters very settled now for two years the backups should have had a chance to develop enough to become quality contributors on special teams. K Crosby is in no danger of losing his job but who will be the punter? Neither P Kapinos or Brooks should get comfortable enough to sign a one-year apartment quite yet. It is no understatement that consistently mediocre would be an improvement for the punting game.
Last season the Packers appeared to be a team whose defense couldn't hold a lead late in the fourth quarter, and the offense while efficient had some troubles running the ball. The record of 6-10 should be improved on this season. When I look at the schedule I see ten wins. I expect GB will split the series with Chicago and Minnesota and take both from the Lions. I see the other wins coming from Cincinnati, St. Louis, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, and one from either Seattle or Arizona. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Dallas would be upsets barring unforeseen circumstances.
There is my season preview. 10-6 should be good enough for the playoffs. A lot will depend on Brett Favre, just not the way it usually.