Offense
This is the best offense in the league. Aaron Rodgers is, in my humble opinion, the best quarterback in the NFL, and it isn't that close. He has a cannon of an arm, incredible pocket presence and awareness, can throw footballs into windows that no other player can, and is one of the smartest players in the National Football League. He also has the best hard count in all of football. That isn't one of the most vital attributes to have, but it's awesome to watch. What could be better than having the best QB in the NFL? How about having the best wide receiver group in the NFL! I do believe that Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams lead the best group of receivers in all of football. Nelson is "sneaky athletic", well actually he's just athletic and very fast, but announcers always seem surprised when he breaks away for a 60 yard touchdown. He also has the best body control out of any receiver in football, and that is a very underrated trait. Seriously, watch some YouTube videos of his sideline catches, they are awesome. He's really just an elite receiver, and does almost everything at an extremely high level. On top of that, the Packers have the best slot receiver in Randall Cobb. He isn't exclusively a slot receiver, but he dominates there. He is also a terrific end zone target for Rodgers, and when A-Rodg extends the play, he is amazing at getting open and being on the same page as his QB. The Packers also have Davante Adams, who I think is in for a huge year. He had a slow start to 2014, but really showed a lot of promise. His huge game against New England in week 13 showed what he can do, and expect him to take on a bigger role in 2015. As depth, the Packers also have a lot of young talent in Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis, and the recently drafted Ty Montgomery (Although his impact will be on primarily special teams). At tight end, the Packers don't have star talent. Andrew Quarless has shown himself to be a solid starter, and Richard Rodgers could potentially be very good, but at this point in time both players are only decent starters. In the backfield, the Packers have one of the NFL's brightest young stars in Eddie Lacy. He is so physical, and a terrific addition in the passing game too. Also, he has the best spin move in the NFL, it's so violent and quick. Behind him, Green Bay has James Starks who is one of the best backup running backs in football. Starks is so underrated, but he does everything well. He isn't elite or special at one specific thing, but he has the speed and elusiveness to break off long runs, the power to run between the tackles, and has great hands in the passing game. Green Bay's offensive line really helps these running backs shine. Their entire starter group is very strong. They have one of the best guards in football in Josh Sitton. He is the leader of this line, and is very strong in the running game, but he is almost unbeatable in protecting Aaron Rodgers. Opposite him, they have another amazing guard in T.J. Lang. Another great overall guard, and he goes through stretches where he completely shuts down opposing defensive players. At center, the Packers have sophomore Corey Linsley. He might have been the biggest surprise out of every rookie in the NFL. A 5th round pick in 2014, he started his career playing at Seattle, and the stage didn't look to big for him at all. I'm expecting some more development out of him and he has a chance to become an elite center, which would give the Packers arguably the best interior offensive line in football. At tackle, Green Bay has David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. Bakhtiari is solid but not spectacular, although he is still young and should get even better next season. Bulaga may have been the best free agent signing in (Well, resigning) in the NFL, and he is a great right tackle in A-Rodg's offense. This offense is scary good. I can't see a weakness they have. They have the best QB in the NFL to pair with the best wide receiver group in the NFL. They will be the best offense in football next season, just like they were in 2014. I know that's not really a bold prediction, but I'm going for what is right not what is bold. I think the scariest part of this offense, is that every player on it is signed through at least 2016, so they will most likely be together for a long time too. This is a dynasty level offense, it's very young, led by the premier quarterback, has a great offensive line, a dynamic passing attack and an awesome run game. Like I said, scary.
Defense
No one will mistake this defense for being as good as their offense. With that being said, this is still a pretty good D. They finished in the top half of the league last season, and I think they could be even better in 2015. On the D-line, the Packers are still trying to find their footing. The past few years they have been desperately trying to draft good players on the defensive line, but they just haven't had great luck. Mike Daniels is the exception, as he has turned into an incredible defensive end. His motor seemingly never stops, and his repertoire of pass rush moves have grown to a point where he is a real threat in not just running situations anymore. Beside Daniels, the Packers signed B.J. Raji to a one year prove it deal. After being hurt for all of 2014, Raji will look to capture his 2010/11 form where he was one of the best nose tackles in football. As added depth, the Packers still have Letroy Guion who was solid in lieu of Raji's injury. Opposite Daniels, Datone Jones will seek to expand his role in this defense. He is another first round defensive line pick by the Packers, and he was solid last season but he has the ceiling to be a lot better. This linebacker group is an interesting conundrum. On the inside, the Packers are probably going to be playing Clay Matthews there in 2015, but that's not a problem as he was really good inside in 2014. They might miss him outside, but he'll still get snaps outside in obvious passing situations, and they desperately need him inside because of their lack of depth. Beside Matthews, Carl Bradford, Sam Barrington, or the recently drafted Jake Ryan will be playing. My bet is on Jake Ryan, I think he is the most talented of the bunch, but Bradford has a pretty good shot too. Those three players aren't reliable players at this point in their careers though, so the need for Clay on the inside is obvious. Outside, the Packers have Julius Peppers who had an incredible career resurgence, and Nick Perry who was a lot better than people think in 2014. Those two should bring the heat, and with Clay inside, the Packers have a trio of outstanding potential pass rushers. The Packers secondary seems very controversial. I'm a big fan of their versatility, but there are potential problems that they could run into that I will address. At cornerback, Green Bay has Sam Shields. He is a very physical player, and I think a very solid number one CB. As GB's number 2 cornerback Casey Hayward will take over for Tramon Williams. This is where it can get controversial. Hayward was the Packers best cornerback last year, but he did his work in the slot. There is a sense of unknown if his skills will translate to the outside. He dominated in the slot, but I think he has the ball skills and athleticism to be a very good CB opposite Shields. In the slot, Micah Hyde and Damarious Randall will see the most action. Hyde has been a very good SCB before, and Randall has the talent and ball skills to become a high impact player immediately. The versatility in this defense comes in Hyde, Randall, and 2nd round pick Quentin Rollins. All three of those players can play outside, in the slot, and at safety (Some people think that's where they fit best) and it gives the Packers a lot of options on how to approach opposing offenses. Dom Capers is a good defensive coordinator, so I believe that he will utilize the talent that the Packers have in their secondary to the best of their abilities. At safety, Green Bay has a great young duo in Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha (Ha'Sean) Clinton-Dix. Clinton-Dix has a chance to be really special, and I think he will make the biggest jump out of any Green Bay defender this season. Burnett had the best year of his career last season, and he has established himself as a leader of this defense. Another huge plus from the Packers investing in their secondary is that because their offense is so good, teams will be forced to play catch up and throw the ball. The Packers versatility and talent will allow them to be extremely opportunistic and force turnovers as well as shut down opposing air attacks. There is a lot to like about this Packers defense. They have a lot of pure talent in the secondary, and a ton of versatility there too. Up front, they have some star power with Daniels, Peppers and Matthews. Their inside linebacker depth is a tough pill to swallow, and their defensive line (Apart from Daniels) has some questions too, but this is a top 10 talent level defense with the pieces they have added. I'm not going to confuse them for Seattle or Kansas City's defense, because they aren't in the elite tier of defenses. I think they will sneak into the top 10 of defenses this season, and they will be led by that young, talented secondary.
The 2015 Green Bay Packers are the best team in the NFL. Their offense will receive all of the headlines, and rightfully so, but their defense will be very good in 2015 too. This team seems almost destined for a Super Bowl Berth. They are one of the few elite teams that improved going into the 2015 season, and they were so close to a Super Bowl appearance last season before their collapse. That collapse happened with Aaron Rodgers playing basically on one leg too. If Rodgers stays completely healthy this season, then I don't see how any defense, even Seattle, can stop this offense. Green Bay is in an amazing situation right now. The Bears are in shambles, the Lions lost their best defensive player to free agency, and the Vikings still seem about a year away from really competing. The Packers just have to stay healthy, and play up to their standards and they have the best shot at the number one seed in the NFC, home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and a Super Bowl appearance in the Bay Area.
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