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The Green Bay Packers are heading into the 2020 NFL season with big goals of taking another step from last season and getting into the Super Bowl. After finishing the 2019 season with a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game, fans were hoping to see an aggressive offseason to make a championship run. Unfortunately, those expectations were not carried out by the Packers' front office.
In free agency, the Packers were relatively quiet. They did replace inside linebacker Blake Martinez with free agent acquisition Christian Kirksey, who is much more athletic. Green Bay also ended up losing offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency and brought in free agent Rick Wagner to help replace him.
However, the Packers did not add anything to the roster on the offensive side of the ball. Granted, they did sign wide receiver Devin Funchess to a one-year deal in free agency, but he opted out of the season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. That leaves the Packers with nearly the same offense they had last season.
Aaron Rodgers was hoping for a young wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tee Higgins was available for the Packers, but they chose to trade up in the first round to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. That has led to speculation and the likelihood that Rodgers will end up finishing his career outside of Green Bay.
All of that being said, the offseason is now over and the Packers are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 action. Here are three bold predictions for the Packers in their first game of the season.
3. Green Bay Forces Four Turnovers
Defensively, the Packers know that they need to step up in order to make the Super Bowl goal come true. Za'Darius Smith has become one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers and the secondary is full of talent with Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage all possessing ball-hawking skills.
Mike Pettine is going to be looking to put a lot of pressure on Vikings' quarterback Kirk Cousins. Preston Smith is another name to keep an eye on, as he racked up 12 sacks in his first season with the Packers last year. If the Packers can put pressure on Cousins, they are going to have a chance at forcing turnovers.
When everything is said and done, the Packers will have forced four turnovers. A couple of them will be interceptions and the “Smith Bros” will also force a couple of fumbles. Winning the turnover battle will be a major key all season long and the Packers will get that done this week.
2. Aaron Rodgers Puts Up MVP-Caliber Numbers
Of course, this list would not be complete without taking a look at what the Packers are going to get from their star quarterback. Rodgers may not finish his career in Green Bay, but he is going to get off to a hot start this season.
While the Vikings do have a talented defense, they will have no answer for Rodgers. He will end up throwing for at least 325 yards and four touchdowns.
Aaron Jones will take some pressure off of Rodgers and he has a track record of big games against the Vikings. With the Vikings trying to slow Jones down, Rodgers will take full advantage. Even with Davante Adams being the only proven wideout on the roster, the Packers' offense is going to be dynamic and fans are going to like what they see from Rodgers.
1. The Packers Knock Off The Vikings To Begin The Year
Everyone knows how important this game is, even for an early season matchup. Both of these teams are expected to be contenders in the NFC playoff picture. In the NFC North, these two teams are expected to battle all season long.
Behind the big performance from Rodgers and a great game from the defense, the Packers will get the job done.
We are predicting that the final score of this Week 1 matchup will end up being 34-24 in favor of Green Bay. The Vikings are going to put up a valiant fight, but the Packers are the better football team.
