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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) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leads his team out on to the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leads his team out on to the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

5. Packers clinch Wild Card berth

Packers fans haven’t been accustomed to seeing their team miss out on the playoffs very often, but that’s exactly what’s happened the past two seasons. In fact, before missing out in consecutive seasons in 2017 and 2018, the Packers hadn’t missed the playoffs since 2008. Overall, Green Bay has missed the postseason just eight times since 1992 — the year Brett Favre arrived and changed the course of NFL history.

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A big reason the Packers could return to the playoffs is due to a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has suffered major injuries the past two consecutive seasons – a broken collarbone in 2017 and a severe knee injury in 2018 – which could help explain why the team has struggled.

Another reason the Packers should return to the postseason is due to the hiring of first-year head coach Matt LaFleur. Former coach Mike McCarthy was fired after a stunning loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 last season, clearing the way for LaFleur and a bevy of new assistant coaches. Change is good, right?

This is where the ‘bold’ part comes in. No coach in the history of the Packers has ever led their respective team to the playoffs in their first season as coach. LaFleur would be the first coach in team history to do so. The NFC North is loaded with talent between the Bears, Vikings and Lions, so a Wild Card berth might have to suffice.

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