Zero2Cool
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Posted: June 14, 2006
Richard Pufall
The beauty of making bold, somewhat sketchy predictions in June about the Green Bay Packers' 2006 season is that they might be forgotten by the end of December.
And folks, we can only hope so.
At this point, anyone's guess is good. And bad. It probably comes as no surprise to you that sportswriting is not an exact science. Or do you think we spend a lot of time agonizing over and researching this? Actually, we just throw a lot of stuff at the wall and hope some of it sticks. Yup, that's the secret sauce in our forecasting recipe and were not letting go, no matter the consequences. But shhhhhhh . . . don't tell anyone.
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You see, predicting an NFL team's final record is no fun and it's a can't-get-it-perfect proposition. It's right up there on the giggle-o-meter with shaving your head with a cheese grater while chewing on tinfoil.
But as a job, it's not packing and lifting and someone has to do it. So here we go:
Sept. 10, Chicago at Green Bay: After wresting the NFC North title from the Packers last season, the Bears and their fans are full of themselves. They believe they are the bull-goose loonies of the division; the team to beat that can't be beaten.
Mike Sherman had a winning record in six seasons as Green Bay's head coach, but he somehow lost the Packers' dominance and edge at Lambeau Field. Mike McCarthy can return some pride to the home turf and win a lot of friends by opening his head-coaching career with a victory over the Bears.
This should be a battle of very good defensive teams.
Chicago's overconfidence and Green Bay's edge on offense should make the difference: Packers 24, Bears 10.
Sept. 17, New Orleans at Green Bay: Reggie Bush brings his awesome talents to Lambeau and he should be enough to make this a close game, not the 52-3 rout that Green Bay enjoyed last season. And everywhere that Bush goes, A.J. Hawk is sure to follow. Drew Brees at quarterback makes New Orleans better, too. But again, Green Bay's defense prevails: Packers 20, Saints 17.
Sept. 24, Green Bay at Detroit: You can't win 'em all. The wheels will come off in the Motor City where Green Bay always seems to sputter: Lions 23, Packers 20.
Oct. 2, Green Bay at Philadelphia: It's Monday night in the city of brotherly loath. Green Bay must show it can win a game in this venue before earning the edge. Eagles 27, Packers 20.
Oct 8, St. Louis at Green Bay: Green Bay will prevail in a battle of teams that aren't what they used to be: Packers 34, Rams 17.
Oct. 22, Green Bay at Miami: Even if Daunte Culpepper isn't healthy enough to play quarterback, Miami will be tough at home: Dolphins 17, Packers 14.
Oct. 29, Arizona at Green Bay: The Cardinals are dripping with talent, but Dennis Green will find a way to lose this one: Packers 31, Cardinals 30.
Nov. 5, Green Bay at Buffalo: Beating Buffalo on the road? Why not? Who could call this an upset? Packers 28, Bills 16.
Nov. 12, Green Bay at Minnesota: Historically, the Packers have struggled at the Metrodome. And it's another painful history lesson for Green Bay. Vikings 21, Packers 17.
Nov. 19, New England at Green Bay: A few years ago this game would be a lot tougher than it is now. Look for Green Bay to play the home card. Packers 30, Patriots 27.
Nov. 27, Green Bay at Seattle: Mike Holmgren has been waiting forever to get Green Bay in Seattle. He gets his wish and a victory on Monday night. Seahawks 24, Packers 17.
Dec. 3, New York Jets at Green Bay: You can't win 'em all at home, either. New York shouldn't win this game, but will find a way: Jets 17, Packers 16.
Dec. 10, Green Bay at San Francisco: Nothing about San Francisco says, "win this game," even on the 49ers' home field. Packers 40, 49ers 14.
Dec. 17, Detroit at Green Bay: The Lions always lose in Green Bay. It's in the NFL rule book. You knew that, right? Packers 37, Lions 17.
Dec. 21, Minnesota at Green Bay: It's a Thursday night before Christmas and all through Green Bay's house not a creature is stirring in the Minnesota offense: Packers 28, Vikings 9.
Dec. 31, Green Bay at Chicago: This game could decide the NFC North champion. And it looks like Da Bears wear Da Crown. Bears 16, Packers 14.
And there you have it. A 9-7 finish. That's a lot better than 4-12 and a winning season is a winning season.
The Packers will return to toughness at home, going 7-1, but will struggle on the road at 2-6. And that 9-7 record might even be good enough for a wild-card ticket to the playoffs.
So there's our best guess. And our worst, too.
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