NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: 5 Bold predictions for 2019 season

By Joe Kipp

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers looks back as he steps into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers looks back as he steps into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 29: A fan looks on during a preseason game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 29, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 29: A fan looks on during a preseason game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 29, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Green Bay Packers appear headed in the right direction under first-year head coach Matt LaFleur. Here are five bold predictions for the 2019 season.

Football is finally upon us, and the Green Bay Packers hold the pleasure of kicking off the 2019 NFL season on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Led by first-year head coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers will have plenty of new tricks up their sleeve schematically.

LaFleur brings a breath of fresh air into an offense that was clearly needing a pick-me-up. Green Bay ranked 32nd in the NFL in both rushing attempts and rushing percentage in 2018, which led to a stale, predictable offense under former coach Mike McCarthy. Serving as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans last season, LaFleur’s offense ranked second in the NFL in rushing attempts.

The moral of the story? Expect the Packers to run the ball much, much more than they did last season.

And yes, more rushing attempts could mean fewer opportunities for Aaron Rodgers, who had 597 passing attempts last season; the second-most of his career. But fewer opportunities doesn’t have to mean less efficiency. The Packers want to make life easier on Rodgers, allowing the running game to set up the passing game, and vice versa.

Must Read. 2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 1. light

Additionally, a new offensive scheme provides new opportunities for several players who aren’t household names yet, or who didn’t get more chances under the previous coaching regime. We see breakout players every season come out of nowhere, and a big reason why is due to schematic changes and new coaching staffs.

Led by LaFleur, the Packers have an almost entirely new coaching staff on offense and a fairly new coaching staff on defense. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is entering his second season with the team, meaning players should have a much better understanding of his scheme.

After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, could we see a resurgence in Green Bay this coming season? Here are five bold predictions for the Packers in 2019.

Home/Green Bay Packers