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2016 Packers predictions and NFL overview

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Many of the so-called experts are picking the Green Bay Packers to reach the Super Bowl and even win it this season.

Trying to predict the outcome of any season in a professional sport is rather futile, yet we all like to think this is the year we nail the predictions – especially with the Packers.

The Packers are one of the favorites among many pundits, viewing the team as a likely participant in Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas.

There are a lot of things to love with this version of the Packers:

Green Bay also has the easiest schedule based on last year’s records. That can’t hurt.

Additionally, the Packers’ biggest threat lost their starting QB for the season as the Minnesota Vikings will now rely on Shaun Hill and Sam Bradford to lead the team.

Damarious Randall (23) celebrates with free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21). Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions may be weaker than ever, especially in the secondary where Rodgers and company should light them up.

As always, none of this means a thing if a club is hit with serious injuries, fails to play up to expectations, or runs into some bad luck that costs them a few close games.

Even if the Packers haven’t been back to the big game since the 2010 season, they’re always in contention and 2016 should be no different.

Without further adieu, here are the official Packers predictions (along with some NFL picks to round things out).

Packers’ MVP:  Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Offensive Standout:  Randall Cobb

Offensive Bust:  Eddie Lacy

Defensive Standout:  Morgan Burnett

Defensive Bust:  Julius Peppers

Individual Statistics

Rodgers:  4,426 yards, 37 TD passes, 10 INT

Nelson:  86 receptions, 978 yards, 8 TD

Cobb:  94 receptions, 1,104 yards, 11 TD

Lacy:  816 yards, 3 TD

Matthews:  12 sacks, 44 tackles

Peppers:  5 sacks, 21 tackles

Clinton-Dix:  5 INT, 7 sacks, 95 tackles

Burnett:  3 INT, 3 sacks, 84 tackles

With all the individual prognostications out of the way, let’s get to the predictions for the team, including the playoffs.

NFC Division Champs and Wild Cards

NFC North:  Green Bay Packers (12-4)

NFC South:  Carolina Panthers (13-3)

NFC East:  New York Giants (11-5)

NFC West:  Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

Wild Cards:  Arizona Cardinals (10-6) and Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

**Packers lose tie-breaker for second seed by virtue of losing to Seahawks in week 14

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round:  Packers over Vikings, Giants over Cardinals

Divisional Round:  Seahawks over Packers, Panthers over Giants

NFC Championship:  Seahawks over Panthers

AFC Division Champs and Wild Cards

AFC North:  Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

AFC South:  Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

AFC East:  New England Patriots (12-4)

AFC West:  Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

Wild Cards:  Houston Texans (10-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

**Chiefs win tie-breaker for first seed by virtue of better conference record**

AFC Playoffs

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs. Photo Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Wild Card Round:  Texans over Bengals, Colts over Steelers

Divisional Round:  Chiefs over Texans, Patriots over Steelers

AFC Championship:  Chiefs over Patriots

Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs over the Seattle Seahawks

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