RealGM

Now that we've played our first 8 games lets hear some thoughts and some predictions on what you guys think will happen in the 2nd half of the season for the Packers.

My feeling is that as long as this team stays healthy we should have a pretty solid 2nd half.The team is finally healthy and seems to be comming together.I also think that despite the loss to the Titans the Packers gained even more confidence and motivation after yesterday's game and will build on that in the 2nd half season.

Im not into moral victories but I think yesterday's game will do two things for the Packers going into the 2nd half of the season.

1.Give them confidence that they can play with anybody.Thats big because the Packers confidence was already greatly improved when they blew out the Colts.

2.Motivate them,the Packers should have won and outplayed the Titans yesterday but still lost the game.The Packers players and coaching staff will be motivated to not let that sort of thing happen agian this season.

In my opinion I think this year's Packer team when healthy is actually better overall and deeper than last year's squad.Its just injuries,bad luck & a tougher schedule thats the difference between 4-4 & 7-1 after 8 games last year. I think that as long as the Packers stay healthy they will have a chance to be the NFC's best team in the 2nd half of the season.It also helps the schedule eases up a bit in the 2nd half of the season.

This how I see things playing out for the Packers.

@Vikes - w
vs Bears - w
@Saints - w
vs Panthers - w
vs Texans - w
@Jaguars - L
@Bears - w
vs Lions - w

Packers finish 11-5

I also checked out the schedules of some of the other NFC teams in the playoff picture and heres how I see the playoff picture finishing up.

1.Giants - 12-4 Div champs
2.Packers - 11-5 Div Champs (win tie breaker with Car head to head)
3.Panthers - 11-5 Div Champs
4.Cardinals - 10-6 Div Champs
5.Redskins 11-5 wild card
6.Buccaneers 10-6 wild card

Just missing out
Eagles 10-6
Falcons 9-7

Cowboys finish 8-8.

I also have a gut feeling the Giants & Packers have an NFC Championship rematch but in NY this time.

@Vikes - w
vs Bears - w
@Saints - w
vs Panthers - L
vs Texans - w
@Jaguars - w
@Bears - L
vs Lions - w

1. Giants-12-4-division champ
2. Panthers 10-6 Division champ
3. Packers-10-6-division champ
4. Cardinals- 9-7-division champ
5. Redskins-11-5-wildcard
6. Bucs 10-6-wildcard

Bucs at Packers-Packers
Redskins@Cardinals-Redskins

Redskins@Giants-Redskins
Packers@ Panthers-Panthers

Redskins@Panthers-Redskins

Fixed it, LOL.

I don't see much chance the Packers can go 7-1 the rest of the way. I see 6-2 has the best case and 5-3 more likely, a 4-4 finish much less likely, but wouldn't shock me either.

Last season the Packers defense had the benefit of both Corey Williams and a healthy KGB being able to put pressure on the quarterback, plus Kampman was more productive. This year, with Williams gone the defense gets very little to no pass rush from the defensive tackles. We get very little pressure from the DE spots when Kampman is shut down. Even worse, with Jenkins hurt, he's not around to bring pressure from the DE spot on early down passes and being able to bring pressure at DT on third downs. Against the run, last year we gave up 102ypg, this year 146, a huge jump. We can't keep using the excuse of nearly every game, if we remove 1-2 long runs, the run defense was solid. Those long runs happened and created points. I do like this years secondary better though by quite a bit.

Last year the Packers offense finished 2nd in yards per game, this year we sit 14th. It was an odd season last year given the passing game completely carried the team to it's 7-1 record because the running game was flat out miserable. Then the second half of the year, the running game was one of the best in the league. The running game hasn't been as miserable the first 8 games as last year, but it certainly hasn't been good either. There looks to be signs it's getting better, but odds are against it being great like last year in the final 5 games. So far the offense this year has been pretty good but nothing special, last year only NE racked up more yards.


With us getting more healthy on defense, hopefully they stop getting gashed nearly every game against the run. The secondary is playing very well, if only we could get some pass rush from the front four. Hard to see where it can come from though? I guess i just don't see what's there to base on this years Packer team being better than last year given that across the board, last years team was more productive except for all the big plays via interceptions by our secondary this year. If the run game finally starts getting more big plays, the run defense stops being a sieve, and Sanders can ever design some creative blitzes that get to the QB, then maybe a real big second half of the season is possible.

This team looks to me like its destined for 9-7. Thought that way before the season and think that way now. Whether that wins the division I don't know.

Just too suspect on the lines, amplified by playing in crappy weather.

Helps the Jags looking poor and the Bears losing Orton though.

ReddBogutCharlieV wrote:
1. Giants-12-4-division champ
2. Redskins-11-5-division champ
3. Packers-10-6-division champ
4. Cardinals- 9-7-division champ
5. Panthers 10-6-wildcard
6. Bucs 10-6-wildcard

Doesn't work, buddy.

@Vikes - W
vs Bears - W
@Saints - W
vs Panthers - L
vs Texans - W
@Jaguars - L
@Bears - L
vs Lions - W

1. Giants-12-4-Division Champ
2. Panthers 11-5 - Division Champ
3. Packers 9-7 - Division Champ
4. Cardinals- 9-7 - Division Champ
5. Redskins 10-6 - wildcard
6. Bucs 9-7 - wildcard

Bucs at Packers - Packers
Redskins at Cardinals (i think it would be at arizona) - Redskins

Packers at Panthers - Packers
Redskins at Giants- Giants

Packers at Giants - Giants

Redskins are showing why they're not a great team tonight.

@Vikes - W
vs Bears - W
@Saints - L
vs Panthers - W
vs Texans - W
@Jaguars - W
@Bears - W
vs Lions - W

The 2nd half of the schedule sets us up very nicely, especially after the two big division games. I really believe that we're a much better team than our record shows and we'll see how accurate that is the final 8 games of the season.

Some outside perspective.

@Vikes - L
vs Bears - W
@Saints - L - Superior offense, I expect them to hit their stride soon.
vs Panthers - W - Panthers have a nice stretch of games that should boost their confidence even more, but they'll be humbled at Lambeau after playing a bunch of nobodies.
vs Texans - L - Toss up, tie goes to the non-GB team..like in baseball.
@Jaguars - L - Winning in Jacksonville has been insanely tough the past few years, will be a challenge despite their mediocre team this year.
@Bears - L - Bears' Defense of old returns.
vs Lions - L - This will be great, I hope it's #1.


1. Giants (12 - 4) - Division Champ
2. Bucs (11 - 5) - Division Champ - Holy easy schedule to finish up. I don't like them in this spot if Graham is out for substantial time.
3. Vikings (10 - 6) - Division Champ
4. Cardinals (9 - 7) - Division Champ
5. Eagles (10 - 6) - Wildcard
6. Saints (10 - 6) - Wildcard

I can see the Cowboys making a strong late season push if Romo plays after the bye.

@Vikes - W
vs Bears - W
@Saints - L
vs Panthers - L
vs Texans - W
@Jaguars - W
@Bears - L
vs Lions - W

I have no idea. I've given up trying to predict NFL standings. I think it would be quite an accomplishment to go 7-1 or even 6-2 over the final eight games, even with a schedule that looks fairly manageable.

2006, McCarthy gets the Pack on a roll and they go 4-0 to finish the season.

2007, the running game finally arrives in the second half, making the Pack a complete team. McCarthy gets the Pack on a roll and they go 4-0 to finish the season (8-2 after the bye).

2008. Better health stops the game of musical chairs along the offensive line, the running game finally arrives in the second half, making the Pack a complete team. McCarthy gets the Pack on a roll and they go 6-2 to finish the season.

Actually I could see them going anything from 5-3 to 7-1, depending on a lucky bounce here or there. The operative principle remains, however, that McCarthy teams tend to improve significantly in the second half and get on a roll late. The only significant injury (knock on wood), to Cullen Jenkins, is essentially a wash from last season because Jenkins was slowed by several lingering injuries and not overly productive late last season either.

To me the Titans game was virtually a repeat of last season's mid-year 17-14 win against the Redskins, with the crucial difference being a year ago we got a lucky bounce that led to Charles Woodson's winning touchdown on a fumble return. Against the Titans the Packers tipped several passes but we never got the lucky bounce that results in a turnover and clearly swings the momentum. It was a game we probably win if we start Aaron Rouse instead of a rusty Atari Bigby. Bigby dropped our one chance at a momentum-changing pick and, more importantly, played passively on that crucial first play of the Titan's game-tying drive in the 4th quarter. Bigby should look more like his regular self now with a game under his belt, or if not should get the quick hook.

Good post Ghost Dog.

That Titans game did kinda remind of the Redskins game and it also reminded me of the Chiefs game last year.If you remember the Cheifs game last year it was kind of a grind it out conservative game through 3 but the Packers got the lead late in the 3rd or ealry 4th then proceded to blow the game open.

I got a strong sense watching the Titans game that if the Packers could have taken a 17-13 lead on either of those possessions when Rodgers turned the ball over (when it was 13-10 Titans) the Packers would have blew the game open in the 4th and won by 10+.

As for the Packers in the 2nd half I feel that if they are healthy and come to play there realy isnt a team in the NFC that can beat them outside of the Giants.

In my opinion the NFC is basically the NY Giants,Green Bay Packers and a bunch pretenders.

I know a lot of people might disagree but thats how I see it.

Buccaneers?? Cardinals?? Redskins?? Panthers?? Falcons?? A healthy Packers team that comes to play would beat any of those teams at home or on the road.I'd love to see the Packers rematch vs the Bucs or Falcons in the playoffs.

And you make a great point Ghost Dog about how MM's teams have a trend of being 2nd half teams and I think this year's team has been kind of set up to be a 2nd half team.

I just a strong sense this team is going to take things to another level in the 2nd half,I also think Rodgers is going to take his game to another level in the 2nd half.He's healthy with his shoulder and I think he has realy gotten a feel for the NFL game now,which is scary for the rest of the league because hes been so soiid since day 1.

I Know there is some concern about the D-line and sure the D-line could be better but even right now its still pretty solid and if they can pick it up a bit we'll be fine.

Montgomery has been impressive and if Harrell can stay healthy and make some plays the D-line will be fine.

The O-Line has appeared to be improving each week for about a month now so I have confidence in the O-Line that they will continue to get better.

With all that said I still think this season is realy a season that is going to set us up to do some real damage next year,i've felt that way since training camp.I think whatever the Packers do this season they will improve upon that next season.

I felt the same way last year but then the team took a step back when Favre retired.

We all know that has been and will be a good thing in the long run obviously because Rodgers is solid and is going to be solid for a long time and he will continute to get better.

I look at it like this,the Packers took a step back in 2008 so that they could take 10 steps forward in 2009.The best line I have heard in the Favre vs Rodgers debates is the line that someone on a Packers message board made that Rodgers might never be the player Favre was in terms of numbers but Rodgers just might retire with more super bowl rings than Favre.

I still the Packers can and will make a lot of noise in the next 3 months though.

I like the optimism rilaman, but I'm sort of a believer in you are who you are, and the Packers have lost to both the Falcons and Bucs.

I'm not overly concerned about the offense even though it was better last year. It will be interesting to see how exactly Rodgers handles the condition as the weather starts getting rough.

Defensively though, we haven't been able to stop the run all year, last season the run defense was above average. Yea, Bigby might help the run defense some, but the failings of the front seven is by far the biggest reason we are giving up nearly 150 yards a game on the ground. The defensive line is still showing no signs of being able to rush the passer without the help of blitzing. What's out there to give solid reasons for these weaknesses to change beyond simply hoping and praying? Harrell being healthy will suddenly make the front four be able to pressure the QB or stop the front four from getting gashed vs the run? Harrell has very little pass rush ability and if i remember correctly, on two key long runs for the Titans, Harrell was put on the ground and the back ran right through the gap Harrell was supposed to be holding.

Unless the running game/Grant stops being very mediocre and the DL starts holding it ground vs the run along with getting pressure on quarterbacks, going 7-1 looks to be a massive leap of faith IMO. A 6-2 finish strikes me as reasonable, but if i had to put money on it, 5-3 would be my call. Hope i'm wrong because i highly doubt a 9-7 record getting us into the playoffs.

rilamann wrote:


In my opinion the NFC is basically the NY Giants,Green Bay Packers and a bunch pretenders.

I know a lot of people might disagree but thats how I see it.

I see the NFC as the Giants and everybody else. Right now at least, they clearly are the best team in the NFC and then some other pretty good teams, but none that strike me as a team that should be a huge favorite if the playoffs started today. Teams like Tampa, Carolina, Chicago, Green Bay, Philly, or Washington all to me seem like they could easily win or lose a home playoff game if they make it. We'll see though if any of them separates from the pack in the next 8 games.

I Know there is some concern about the D-line and sure the D-line could be better but even right now its still pretty solid and if they can pick it up a bit we'll be fine.

Montgomery has been impressive and if Harrell can stay healthy and make some plays the D-line will be fine.

The overall play of the defensive line has been poor the first eight games, what do you see that gives you good reason to think they will perform much better the next 8 games? We still have zero pass rushing DT's and the only pass rushing DE is Kampman, who has struggled this year compared to prior seasons.

The O-Line has appeared to be improving each week for about a month now so I have confidence in the O-Line that they will continue to get better.

They gave up four more sacks on Sunday and Grant averaged a meager 2.7/3.4/4.3 yards per carry the last three weeks. That said, some of that is on Grant because this year he hasn't been able to break off any long runs when the line gets him into the second level.

We'll see though, every season a few teams put things together in the second half and get on a roll. The Packers being able to do so certainly isn't some crazy stretch because the team does have talent, a quality QB, and is healthy again.

humanrefutation wrote:

ReddBogutCharlieV wrote:
1. Giants-12-4-division champ
2. Redskins-11-5-division champ
3. Packers-10-6-division champ
4. Cardinals- 9-7-division champ
5. Panthers 10-6-wildcard
6. Bucs 10-6-wildcard

Doesn't work, buddy.

My bad, fixed it.