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2016 Lions Opponents: Did They Improve? NFC North & More

By Al Stahl

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) misses the potential game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) misses the potential game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 26, 2016; De Pere, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) smiles during the team
Jul 26, 2016; De Pere, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) smiles during the team /

Green Bay Packers

2015 wasn’t the best year for the Packers, but they managed to make the playoffs regardless. When you have the best quarterback in football, you can make up for a lot of poor play and bad luck.

How different is the offense?

2015 Offensive Starters Proj. 2016 O Starters
Pos. Player Pos. Player
LT David Bakhtiari LT David Bakhtiari
LG Josh Sitton LG Josh Sitton
C Corey Linsley C Corey Linsley
RG T.J. Lang RG T.J. Lang
RT Bryan Bulaga RT Bryan Bulaga
TE Richard Rodgers TE Richard Rodgers
WR Randall Cobb WR Jordy Nelson
WR Davante Adams WR Randall Cobb
WR James Jones WR Davante Adams
RB Eddie Lacy RB Eddie Lacy
QB Aaron Rodgers QB Aaron Rodgers

In true Ted Thompson style, the offense is almost identical to last year’s. Rodgers gets his top weapon Jordy Nelson back from injury, otherwise everything else is the same.

So how does the defense look?

2015 Defensive Starters Proj. 2016 D Starters
Pos. Player Pos. Player
DE Mike Daniels DE Mike Daniels
DT BJ Raji DT Letroy Guion
DE Letroy Guion DE Datone Jones
OLB Clay Matthews OLB Clay Matthews
ILB Jake Ryan ILB Jake Ryan
ILB Nate Palmer ILB Sam Barrington
OLB Julius Peppers OLB Julius Peppers
CB Damarious Randall CB Damarious Randall
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
SS Morgan Burnett SS Morgan Burnett
CB Sam Shields CB Sam Shields

Aside from a little shuffling up front, the defense is almost the exact same as last year. So where are all of the draft picks? The Packers added DT Kenny Clark, who should be in the mix but likely won’t start right away. They also added OT Jason Spriggs and OLB Kyler Fackrell as well as additional OL and LB help but almost none of these picks should make an impact in 2016 barring injuries.

Verdict

The Packers have made the playoffs seven years in a row. They don’t need to make big changes and they haven’t. Choosing instead to build their roster through the draft for the future. They essentially are returning 20 of 22 starters and getting one of the best receivers in the game back.

The Packers should have 10 wins through their first 12 games and could very well finish with 12 or 13 wins if the defense can play respectably. Green Bay is probably the best team in the NFL at home, and their road schedule is laughable this year. Jacksonville, Atlanta, Tennessee, Washington and Philadelphia make up their road stops outside the NFC North. That’s easily 6 road wins.

Lions’ chances of a road victory: 30%

Lions’ chances of a home victory: 40%

Next: Chicago Bears

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