19 Predictions for the 2019 Packers Season
With the Packers’ first game of the season just hours away, we’re coming down to the wire to put in our official predictions for 2019. As always, I’ll be reviewing each of these predictions after the season to see how I did. After all, what’s a prediction if we don’t take some time to see how things turned out?
Regular listeners to Blue 58 will already be familiar with two (or three, depending on how you count) of my predictions for 2019: I predicted that safety Josh Jones wouldn’t make the 53 man roster (he didn’t) while also predicting at different times that wide receiver Trevor Davis both would and wouldn’t be with the Packers for Week 1. Hopefully, the rest of my predictions are as accurate as the Josh Jones call and less wishy-washy than the Trevor Davis prognostication.
At any rate, here’s what I see from the Packers in 2019.
Overall, I think there’s a good chance the Packers have a fairly successful 2019, even if they don’t become a juggernaut. I predict their final record will be no worse than 9-7 but no better than 11-5. I also predict the Packers will not win the NFC North but that they will make the playoffs and will win a playoff game.
On offense, I think Matt LaFleur will help Aaron Rodgers regain his form. I predict that Rodgers will throw more than 35 (but less than 43) touchdowns this season. He’ll be aided by Davante Adams, who I predict will have more than 150 targets for the second consecutive season. Aaron Jones will also benefit from LaFleur’s presence in Green Bay. He will rush for more than 1,100 yards in 2019.
Elsewhere on offense, I predict:
Elgton Jenkins will be in the starting lineup by Week 5
Jimmy Graham will have fewer than 600 receiving yards
Bryan Bulaga will appear in 12 or fewer games
I think the Packers will also be much improved on defense. Between three big free agent signings and two high-end draft picks, Mike Pettine should have a lot more to work with and the results should be better as a result. I think the Packers will rank in the top 10 in the NFL in Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric, a number to which I often refer on Blue 58.
This improved defensive effort, however, will not depend on great individual performances. I predict the Packers will have a well-rounded defense, particularly among its pass rushers, where no Packers pass rusher will have more than 8 sacks this year but the team will rank no lower than third in the league in total sacks.
In the secondary, I think the Packers’ focus on creating more turnovers will bear fruit. I think at least three players will have two or more interceptions, the first time since 2016 that will have happened. I also predict that Adrian Amos will be one of the primary beneficiaries of playing in a turnover-focused scheme. Though he hasn’t made a name for himself making plays on the ball, I think Amos will match or surpass his career total of three interceptions this season.
Throughout the rest of the defense, I think:
Rashan Gary will have fewer than five sacks this year
Jaire Alexander will make the Pro Bowl but won’t be an All-Pro despite his own aspirations there (double prediction!)
Blake Martinez will again be in the top three in the NFL in tackles
There you have it! 19 predictions for the 2019 Packers’ season. Tell me how much of an idiot I am now and then laugh when we review these predictions together after the season has concluded.
