Packers Wire staff predictions: Updated final record projection

Predictions for the Packers’ final record in 2019 after 10 weeks and the bye week.

The Green Bay Packers are 8-2 and enjoying their week off in Week 11. Matt LaFleur’s team will come out of the bye with a trip to San Francisco for a primetime game with huge playoff implications, kicking off a six-game stretch that will determine whether or not the Packers are a postseason participant in 2019.

Here are the staff’s updated predictions for the team’s final record:

Zach Kruse: 12-4

The Packers exceeded all expectations during the first 10 games. Brian Gutekunst added difference-makers on defense, and Matt LaFleur has rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers and the offense with a creative and modern scheme. Now, the Packers must navigate a tricky stretch to end the season, which includes four games away from home and three straight against the NFC North to finish the year. There’s a big opportunity to not only win the division, but also secure a first-round bye and guarantee a home game in the Divisional Round. At worst, the Packers should finish 11-5. Winning five of the last six and getting to 13-3 would be huge. The guess here is that the Packers finish right in between. Beating the Giants and Redskins and going 2-2 against the other four (at 49ers, vs. Bears, at Vikings, at Lions) would have to be considered a success.

Jack Wepfer: 12-4

At the beginning of the year, I thought this team’s floor was 7-9 and its ceiling 12-4. With an 8-2 start, it’s safe to say it’s playing much closer to its ceiling than we all might’ve expected. In the final six games on the schedule, the Giants and Redskins will get them to 10 wins. I think they’ll also take care of the Bears at home, which gets them to 11. The three challenge spots are next week in San Francisco, Week 16 at Minnesota and Week 17 at Detroit. My guess is they split with the Vikings but it’s hard to see them losing back to back games while in the playoff hunt. They finish 12-4 and have a good shot at a first-round bye.

Marty Kauffman: 12-4

The Packers are 8-2 and currently second in the NFC, with everything in front of them. The Packers have a very favorable schedule based on opponents’ record to end the season, but they have two tough road games at San Francisco and Minnesota that will be key games down the stretch and could be the two most likely losses to expect, at least on paper. The offense, while not as lethal as the 2011 and 2014 teams, is much different with running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams being a main focus of the offense, but Aaron Rodgers is no game manager. With Davante Adams back and Marquez Valdes-Scantling getting healthy, the passing game should improve. After a hot start to the season, the defense has not been as dominant between the 20’s but inside the red zone, Green Bay’s defense has been dominant at preventing touchdowns. If the defense can tighten up on allowing big yardage plays, still create turnovers and shorten drives, this Packers team has a chance for a deep run.

Anthony Nash: 11-5

I’d like to preface this by saying that I think a 12-4 record is very achievable for the Packers this season. However, the fact that they not only close out many of their final games on the road but against division rivals as well, leads me to predict an extra loss. After a tremendous start to the year, the Packers defense has come back down to Earth, and that could hurt them against teams like the 49ers and Vikings, especially on the road. Thankfully, the Packers seem to have found a rhythm on offense, and with the talent at nearly every position (on both sides of the ball) to make a run, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Green Bay end up with a first-round bye and a home playoff game when all is said and done.

Nolan Stracke: 12-4

The Packers offense came alive after a slow start to 2019, with Aaron Jones enjoying a career year in Matt LaFleur’s system. The defense has cooled down and struggles with big plays, but the team has done enough to go into the bye week with an 8-2 record and sitting at first place in the NFC North. The 2019 Packers have the talent and playmakers to make a deep playoff run, but the difference between home-field advantage and a road trip could be a couple losses. I’m not sure if they’ll be able to overtake the 49ers next week and I feel the gauntlet of three divisional games at the end of the season will be far from a walk in the park. While 14-2 is a hopeful prediction, 12-4 is more realistic.

Joe Kipp: 13-3

It’s hard to imagine the Packers would even have the possibility of reaching 13 wins prior to the start of the season, but here we are. Standing at 8-2, the Packers are in the driver’s seat in the NFC North, controlling their own destiny for the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. With the way they’re currently playing, I’d expect the Packers to reach at least 12 wins, but I’m predicting a 13-3 finish. Their remaining opponents include the 49ers, Giants, Redskins, Bears, Vikings and Lions. I expect them to split the series between San Fransisco and Minnesota, with relatively easy wins over New York and Washington. The two biggest wild cards are Chicago and Detroit. Matthew Stafford could be back by Week 17 for the Lions, and you can never count out the Bears in a divisional rivalry matchup. All of that said, I truly believe the Packers are the best team in the NFC at the moment, and based on what we know now a 13-3 record is very feasible.