Got Mashed Potatoes

It's time, with the regular season upon us, that I came clean with my predictions for the Packers this year. We've got a diminished offense: aging running back, aging QB, aging FB, two new guards who are liabilities, and only one legitimate TE. That's the upside.

The downside is we've got a poor special teams coverage unit, and a defense that doesn't boast one member who could start for another team. "What about Kabeer?" you ask. I say Kabeer is a passing downs end. That's it. "What about Al Harris?" you ask. I say Al Harris is a decent number three corner. "What about Nick Barnett?" you ask. OK, I'll give you Nick Barnett can start. And maybe Diggs if he gets healthy -- and he's not.

I guess we have a bit more of an upside. The schedule isn't terrible. The coaches are all solid. Our kick-off returns are average (but not punt returns). And the kicking unit -- even that punter! -- is dependable . . . if the new holder works out.

So here it is -- this year's schedule. Here is what the Packers SHOULD do this year:

Sun., Sept. 11 @ Detroit Lions 3:15 p.m. W
Sun., Sept. 18 Cleveland Browns 3:15 p.m. W
Sun., Sept. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 noon W
Mon., Oct. 3 @ Carolina Panthers 8 p.m. L
Sun., Oct. 9 New Orleans Saints 12 noon W
Sun., Oct. 23 @ Minnesota Vikings 12 noon L
Sun., Oct. 30 @ Cincinnati Bengals 12 noon W
Sun., Nov. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers 3:15 p.m. L
Sun., Nov. 13 @ Atlanta Falcons 3:15 p.m. L
Mon., Nov. 21 Minnesota Vikings 8 p.m. W
Sun., Nov. 27 @ Philadelphia Eagles 3:15 p.m. L
Sun., Dec. 4 @ Chicago Bears 12 noon W
Sun., Dec. 11 Detroit Lions 7:30 p.m. W
Mon., Dec. 19 @ Baltimore Ravens 8 p.m. L
Sun., Dec. 25 Chicago Bears 4 p.m. W
Sun., Jan. 1 Seattle Seahawks 3:15 p.m. W

SHOULD Finish: 10-6

Here's how I think the Packers WILL do:

Sun., Sept. 11 @ Detroit Lions 3:15 p.m. L
Sun., Sept. 18 Cleveland Browns 3:15 p.m. W
Sun., Sept. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 noon L
Mon., Oct. 3 @ Carolina Panthers 8 p.m. L
Sun., Oct. 9 New Orleans Saints 12 noon L
Sun., Oct. 23 @ Minnesota Vikings 12 noon L
Sun., Oct. 30 @ Cincinnati Bengals 12 noon W
Sun., Nov. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers 3:15 p.m. L
Sun., Nov. 13 @ Atlanta Falcons 3:15 p.m. L
Mon., Nov. 21 Minnesota Vikings 8 p.m. L
Sun., Nov. 27 @ Philadelphia Eagles 3:15 p.m. L
Sun., Dec. 4 @ Chicago Bears 12 noon W
Sun., Dec. 11 Detroit Lions 7:30 p.m. W
Mon., Dec. 19 @ Baltimore Ravens 8 p.m. L
Sun., Dec. 25 Chicago Bears 4 p.m. L
Sun., Jan. 1 Seattle Seahawks 3:15 p.m. L

WILL Finish: 4-12

Oh, it's going to be a long year.