My biggest surprise was Tim picking Wicks for his (positive) surprise. I can't remember what I put when I answered on the poll, but that's a very good one that I didn't even think about and would be exciting.

All in all, the only obstacle that will make or break the Packers' season is injuries. No excuses for division games, execution, or play calling allowed in Love's 3rd season as a starter, the 2nd season for this D and less worrisome special teams.

Considering that the defense was #6 last year, it's not drinking the Kool-Aid to project them in the top 10 this year. The schedule is tougher, but I still think they will be there in the end.

It's hard to predict surprises. That's why they are called surprises. How about Bo Melton making the roster as a CB and actually getting some meaningful playing time on defense?

"My Expectations for the 2025 Green Bay Packers"

More Beer Barrel Polkaz! More memories. More nail biters, more defense, more chili, more of those wholesome cheerleaders, more women taking off their shirts than overweight men at Lambeau, more less-groomed eyebrows, more vegan options at the concessions, more Heidi interruptions if the Packers are getting shelled and the big-boned lady is singing, more Chucky Cecil, more players that can sing the national anthem like Esera Tuaulo (sp?), more tailgating with hot chick's that find me simply irresistible, more less lines at the restrooms, more kids getting a chance to see grown up fans acting like grown up fans, AI [artificial intelligence not Jersey] being able to have Jim Irwin and Max MaGee and Howard Cossell (and Bob Ueker) call games on the radio waves again, allow AI to get my Pet Rock from the 70s to actually offer me advice on life, more DL and OL Lambeau Leaps, more or less a season to rejoice and be ecstatic to ride shotgun on this NFL journey...

Crib note: I guess, what I am trying to say is; less maple syrup and more piss boiling. That, and Lambeau Field hosting a Big Lebowski Fest in 2026 for all of us lil' Underacheivers.

Sweaty hugs and sloppy kisses,
Burp

The DL unit under-.performed last year and all GB has done is replace the coach- Was that really enough? A team cannot progress w/o a strong, consistent D-Line
I would like to place the potential 'blame' evenly among all under-performers and pull back a bit on focusing on how Love needs to save the day. He cannot fix the D-L nor make up for the rather thin secondary unit. He cannot make WR#3's catch the ball consistently or run better routes. Let's objectively assess some of the weaker links that could impact GB's success.

The Packers have a good team, and they should be able to run the ball pretty well against most teams. If they can avoid stopping themselves with dropped passes, this should be a 30ppg offense. I think Golden will end up on some All-Rookie teams.

Defense is good enough to keep games close. I don't think we'll give up 30 very many times this season.

I'm expecting 12 wins.

Even though I had high expectations for the team last year due to overdelivering in the Playoffs after the '23 playoffs, I have far more confidence in the team this year.

The Defense became one of the NFL's best units by going from dwelling in the cellar to on the roof in points and yards/game. The were amazingly one of the best tackling squads turning a weakness into a strength due to buy in on Hafley's Vision and Break Pressure Defense. They will only get better.

Love too will be better behind a stronger OL and an even deeper WR room, prolific RBs and Kraft.

STs are concerning as Bicassia hasn't moved the needle much...and they were at times very sloppy. Just be average and take care of field position.

If LaFluer was ever going to get it done this will be the year. I don't think Hafley is going to be a Packer DC much longer.

Nice idea to offer your expectations first, Tim. They align pretty much with my biased homer-take on the upcoming season. That's the fun of being a fan even while knowing that life is filled with disappointments.

The Packers have a roster of talented young athletes. Let's see if they can become a team with some swagger and purpose every week. GPB

Expecting 12 wins is a lot. I wouldn't make that an expectation as the schedule is harder than last year and the division will be challenging as well. The o/u is 9.5 so to expect 12 would be 2.5 over that.

Perhaps we should place our win expectations in writing right now. I am predicting 9 wins.

This is going to be a good team. But it has to take a few big steps yet.

First win big games. They have to learn to win these and that will take the whole year to develop.

Second, the passing will be good and too the running game. But they have to learn to grind out scores in big games. Which means a OL that can get Jacobs better holes. And having short passing that uses Kraft to his maximum. The team struggled with this last year. And Jacobs had to do too much on his ownn

And a little bit better pass rush. We can complain, but just remember the defense held Philly to the least amount.

I think if we stay healthy and have a lot of luck we can make the playoffs. Detroit will win the division easily. Philadelphia likely to repeat as the Superbowl champs.

Latest report on ESPN 's top 12 teams did not even have the Pack in the top 12. They had Steelers for 12th best even with Rodgers at QB.

If Love can play like he did in 23 we will really be in the hunt. I don't think the rest of the league fears the Packers. That could change on opening day with a victory over Detroit! Better be ready Matt.

Prior to the 2024-25 season - I thought that the Packers could be a SB team this year - with a good off-season. I think that Gutekunst has met this requirement. So my expectation is that the GBP will perform their way into the Championship Game. And win. That being so - I will be placing a wager on this outcome.