Predicting Outcome of Final 12 Games, Season Record for Packers

With more evidence as to what type of team the Packers are following a 2-3 start, here are our predictions for the last 12 games of the season.

Before the 2023 NFL season started, we attempted to tell you how each Green Bay Packers game was going to play out. 

After nailing the first four games from a prediction standpoint, the perfect streak ended when the Packers lost on Monday night at the Las Vegas Raiders.

The first set of predictions on the season came with little evidence as to what type of team the Packers were going to be following an offseason of dramatic change. Now there is a five-game sample size to help with the projection. 

Are there going to be more ups and downs? Absolutely. 

With that in mind, here's a look at our predictions for the remainder of the season. 

Week 7: at Denver

Why they'll win: The Packers will be coming off their bye week when they head out west to face the Denver Broncos, though that advantage is lessened with the Broncos coming off their Thursday night loss to the Chiefs.

The Broncos' defense is terrible. They gave up 70 points in a game this year. Zach Wilson and the Jets scored 31 against them.

If Green Bay's offense can't find its footing off a bye against this group, it never will.

Why they'll lose:  The Packers have never beaten Russell Wilson when his team has been at home. Wilson is a shell of himself, but Denver has always been a tough place to play. 

Their defense, while putrid for most of the year, did an admirable job against Kansas City's offense. 

Prediction: Win

Week 8: Minnesota

Why they'll win: Green Bay dodges a bit of a bullet here as Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson won't play due to a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. 

Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson can still cause some problems for Green Bay's defense. 

These two teams are pretty evenly matched, but no Jefferson and the home crowd gives Green Bay the edge. 

Why they'll lose: Kirk Cousins has traditionally played well against Green Bay. His last trip to Green Bay was his worst as a starter, but usually he is at his best against his biggest rival. 

Brian Flores has the defense playing better, and he has just enough veterans to force Jordan Love into some mistakes that could turn the tide. 

Prediction: Win

Week 9: LA Rams

Why they'll win: Sean McVay has never beaten Matt LaFleur at Lambeau Field. That includes a playoff game in 2020 as well as a 36-28 regular-season game in 2021 that was not as close as the final score indicated.

Matthew Stafford is prone to some mistakes, which is where a playmaking cornerback like Rasul Douglas could thrive. 

Why they'll lose: The Rams are one of the teams that were thought to be at the forefront of the Caleb Williams sweepstakes. 

They aren't the Super Bowl team they were two years ago, but they're not bad, either. They've certainly been competitive. 

Stafford might make a mistake or two, but it's tough to imagine a poor Packers offensive line blocking Aaron Donald for an entire game.

Prediction: Loss

Week 10: at Pittsburgh

Why they'll win: Pittsburgh's defense is awesome. Its offense? That's a different story.

Kenny Pickett has struggled in his second season. The Steelers cannot run the ball, which is Green Bay's biggest kryptonite. Their receivers are young and talented, but suffer from some inconsistencies similar to the pass catchers in Green Bay.

Why they'll lose: Green Bay is coming off a game in which it struggled to block Las Vegas' Maxx Crosby. Crosby is a great player. You know who is better? Pittsburgh's TJ Watt. 

The combination of Watt and Alex Highsmith is one of the best pass-rushing duos in all of football.

Pittsburgh's defense as a whole is excellent. With the way Green Bay's offense has played, this is a big mismatch. 

Prediction: Loss

Week 11: L.A. Chargers

Why they'll win: Green Bay is at home against an uncommon opponent. The unfamiliarity is something that could work in their favor. 

Chargers Brandon Staley against LaFleur is a massive mismatch in favor of LaFleur.

Why they'll lose: Justin Herbert will be the best quarterback Joe Barry and his defense will have faced to this point of the season. 

The Chargers have a knack for making games more difficult than they should. Despite that, they're still more talented than Green Bay. 

Prediction: Loss

Could Jaire Alexander and the secondary slow down Justin Herbert? :: Photo by Mark Hoffman/USA Today Sports Images

Week 12: at Detroit

Why they'll win: Detroit's secondary is facing some injury issues. Emmanuel Moseley was just lost for the season with a torn ACL. 

Maybe the team speed that Green Bay has can show up on the fast track that is Ford Field. 

Why they'll lose: This will be the second meeting between these two teams. The Lions demolished Green Bay the first time they played. That was at Lambeau Field. This one will be in Detroit against a Lions team that looks to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

David Montgomery is still in Detroit, and the Lions are more than willing to run the ball to pound Green Bay's defense into submission. 

Aidan Hutchinson is still playing for Detroit. Green Bay has struggled to block elite pass rushers. 

This game is a mismatch. 

Prediction: Loss

Week 13: Kansas City

Why they'll win:  While the Chiefs have the pedigree of being a great team, they haven't always looked like one this season. MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes can be a little careless with the ball. 

If the Packers' defense can catch a few of the passes Mahomes has a tendency to put in harm's way, they could give their offense a couple of short fields.  

Why they'll lose: Sunday night at home against the defending world champions. 

Mahomes is one of the all-time greats at quarterback. Travis Kelce is still at the top of his game. 

Andy Reid is one of the most creative play-callers in football, and he'll be facing off against Joe Barry. 

No chance. 

Prediction: Loss

Week 14: at New York Giants

Why they'll win: The Giants have been so bad to start the season, that Green Bay should have a shot to get a win on the road. 

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has the second-highest interception percentage in the NFL through Week 5. Offensive tackle Evan Neal has struggled to start the season, which could cause Rashan Gary to smell blood and help the defense lead the team to a victory. 

Why they'll lose: When he's healthy, there are few running backs better than Saquon Barkley. Who can't picture Brian Daboll handing him the ball over and over again as he gashes Green Bay's defense? 

Rashan Gary could be in line for a big day against the Giants late in the season.  :: Photo by Wm. Glasheen/USA Today Sports Images

Prediction: Win

Week 15: Tampa Bay

Why they'll win: Baker Mayfield did not play well in his only trip to Lambeau Field as a starter. On Christmas 2021, Aaron Rodgers set the Packers' all-time record for touchdown passes but Mayfield threw four interceptions, two to Rasul Douglas.

If he's careless with the ball again, Douglas will deliver the critical plays once again.

Why they'll lose: Tampa Bay is better than most experts predicted at the start of the season. Mayfield has been solid, ranking seventh in passer rating, and Tampa Bay's roster is still pretty good. If Mayfield can take care of the football, they'll be in a good spot against the Packers. 

Prediction: Loss

Week 16: Carolina

Why they'll win: Carolina might be the worst team in the NFL. It's hard to envision that changing between now and Christmas Eve.

The Packers might not be very good, but they're not as bad as a Carolina team that will be playing out the string. 

Why they'll lose: Green Bay isn't the worst team in the NFL, but almost everything else said about the Panthers could be said about them. By this point in the year, they could be looking to next year, as well. 

Prediction: Win

Week 17: at Minnesota

Why they'll win: Minnesota could be playing its backup quarterback as a disappointing year could spiral out of control. 

At the end of the season, Green Bay is more likely to be building for the future and less likely to be dreaming of warmer weather and golf courses than a Minnesota team that could be staring a long rebuild in the face.

Why they'll lose: Justin Jefferson should be back by this point. This game could be Kirk Cousins' last as a Viking against Green Bay. Both players have played really well against Green Bay. Especially in Minnesota. 

It's unlikely either team is playing for much by this point in the year, so we'll give the nod to the home team. 

Prediction: Loss

Week 18: Chicago

Why they'll win: Chicago finally got its first win of the year last week, but they are still one of the worst teams in football.

By this point of the year, the Bears may know their coach and quarterback are dead men walking. Combine that with the fact that it does not seem to matter what changes, one thing remains true: Green Bay owns Chicago. 

Why they'll lose: One thing is clear: Chicago is really motivated when it plays against Green Bay. That hasn't meant much as it's lost every game to the Packers since  LaFleur was hired.

Maybe Justin Fields' recent hot streak lasts, or the Bears have one final great effort in them to save a couple of jobs in Chicago. 

Prediction: Win

Final Record: 7-10 

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