Fansided

5 bold predictions for the Green Bay Packers in 2018

By Rucker Haringey

GREEN BAY, WI - MAY 31: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during Green Bay Packers Organized Team Activities at Ray Nitschke Field on May 31, 2018 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - MAY 31: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during Green Bay Packers Organized Team Activities at Ray Nitschke Field on May 31, 2018 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Carolina Panthers during a NFL game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Carolina Panthers during a NFL game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

3. Clay Matthews will have double-digit sacks

Muhammad Wilkerson was the Packers’ biggest signing of the summer. He’ll be a tremendous boost for the Green Bay defense. Specifically, he’s going to occupy a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines.

His signing will benefit Clay Matthews more than anyone else on the Packers roster. The 31-year-old notched 8.5 sacks last season but he needs to up his production in 2018. The last time he broke the 10 sack barrier was 2014. Adding Wilkerson to the defensive mix is going to help him do it again this season.

Remember, a healthy Rodgers should also help Matthews add to his sack totals. When Rodgers leads the offense to a lot of points, it forces the opponents to throw it a ton in an effort to catch up. Those obvious passing downs give Matthews a chance to pin his ears back and chase the quarterback with reckless abandon.

Matthews’ athleticism is starting to decline due to age, but this will be a solid bounce back year for the former USC linebacker. Watch for him to break the 10 sack mark en route to a Pro Bowl berth in 2018.

Home/Green Bay Packers