12 NFL teams who will be playoff contenders in 2015-16
By Will Osgood
NFC
1) Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers had a bit of a confounding draft. They selected safety Damarious Randall in the first-round, and Miami (OH) corner Quinten Rollins in the second, when it seemed better players were available. Also, they picked up receiver Ty Montgomery in the third, which only adds to an already crowded wide receiver corps. And yet, it likely won’t matter.
The Packers are one of those teams, like the Patriots and Ravens, who can overcome deficiencies at certain spots and still win big seemingly every year. It’s all because they have the best quarterback in the game in Aaron Rodgers. Wisely they kept offensive tackle Brian Bulaga and do-it-all playmaker Randall Cobb to ensure that the offense remains among the best in the NFL.
Even if the defense struggles for portions of games or the season—and it likely will—the Packers’ offense is so good it simply won’t matter. Rodgers and Co. may have to win a lot of shootouts, but they can certainly do it—after all, they led the league in scoring a season ago.
Unlike last season, they play the Seattle Seahawks in Green Bay this time around, which may afford them the opportunity to host the Seahawks should the two meet in the playoffs again. Yes they play road contest at Denver and Arizona, but otherwise their toughest games all come at Lambeau Field, where they were perfect a season ago.
Look for the Pack to improve on their 12-4 season from last year.
Next: Familiar faces