2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Green Bay Packers

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Green Bay Packers

Schedule | Roster

The Packers won their third straight division title despite losing Aaron Rodgers for seven of their final eight games. Matt Flynn pulled out two improbable December victories, but Green Bay's NFC North title had more to do with Chicago and Detroit's ineptitude down the stretch.

The Packers offense has never been in question, but their defense in 2013 left a lot to be desired. They slid from an 11th ranking in 2012 all the way down to 25th, giving up nearly 6,000 yards in the process. The Pack will be counting on first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and offseason acquisition Julius Peppers to get them back on track. 

Rookie Eddie Lacy was a pleasant surprise, running for almost 1,200 yards en route to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. He now takes some of the pressure off Rodgers' shoulders and gives the offense a more balanced attack. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #6

A healthy Aaron Rodgers and a favorable schedule should return the Pack to one of the league's elite teams. A conference first or second seed is not out of the question if the NFC West beats each other up. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: DE Julius Peppers, DT Letroy Guion

Key Departures: WR James Jones, TE Jermichael Finley, DT Ryan Pickett, DE Jerel Worthy, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, S M.D. Jennings

If there's one thing the Packers did do well last year on defense it was getting to the quarterback. Peppers should alleviate some of the pressure on Clay Matthews by playing opposite the premier pass rusher, but he is also likely to see time as a stand-up linebacker in Green Bay's 3-4 scheme. That combination should help the Pack continue their ability to punish opposing signal callers.

The biggest loss appears to be Dietrich-Smith, as Green Bay is probably going to have to start a rookie at center. That position is especially crucial to a team that throws as frequently as the Packers do. Protecting Rodgers is crucial, as the team learned when he went down with a broken collarbone in 2013. Rodgers was sacked 21 times in nine games last season, and the Pack will be starting their fourth different center in the past four seasons.

2014 Draft Class 

The Packers were the beneficiaries of Clinton-Dix's slide down the draft board. He's a steal at pick No. 21 and figures to help a secondary that desperately needs a boost. 

Adams should be able to help replace the production of James Jones and he, along with Janis (Abbrederis will miss the season with a torn ACL), will give Rodgers some more weapons to build chemistry with. 

Linsley figures to start at center because of starter JC Tretter's fractured kneecap. It won't sideline Tretter for the whole season, but neither guy has appeared in an NFL game, so a very important position will be manned by someone with no experience in 2014. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
Offensive Coordinator: Tom Clements
Defensive Coordinator: Dom Capers

There wasn't much turnover on the Packers staff from a year ago other than quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo heading to the New York Giants to become their offensive coordinator. 

One thing to look for from Clements' offense is an attempt to play faster than it has in the past. McCarthy is reportedly targeting 75 snaps per game, which would be astronomical. As much as the Packers will toss the pigskin, Lacy gives them a counterpunch on the ground that they haven't had in years and it will keep defenses off balance. 

After last year's debacle on the defensive side of the ball, Capers may be on his way out if the Packers don't rebound. In fairness to Capers, though, he was hindered from a play-calling perspective due to injuries to Matthews and Nick Perry. 

Some questions have been raised if his 3-4 system is truly the best fit for the Packers' personnel and, although McCarthy has indicated they plan to do some things differently on defense, the scheme won't be changing. 

2014 Schedule

Despite opening against the Super Bowl champions, the Packers have a pretty favorable schedule overall. After doing battle in Seattle on opening night, Green Bay will face only four other teams with winning records from a season ago. 

In addition, their final four games come against opponents that were a combined 21-43 in 2013. As long as the Pack take care of business before December, they should have a great chance to control their own fate down the stretch and capture another NFC North crown. 

Bold Predictions

The Packers will have a fearsome defense. After three consecutive seasons outside the NFL’s top 10 in yards surrendered (include embarrassing 32nd overall and 25th overall finishes in 2011 and 2013), the Packers will boast a top-10 defense in 2014. The addition of Julius Peppers and the development of Datone Jones will finally give the team a complementary pass rush opposite Matthews. First-round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will make an immediate contribution in the secondary. - David Woods

Randall Cobb will lead the league in receptions. Cobb had his 2013 campaign cut short by a broken leg, but was effective in the six games he played in, catching 31 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns. The 23-year-old is one of Rodgers’ favorite targets when healthy, and is primed for a bigger role following the offseason departure of James Jones. He’s also entering the final year of his rookie contract, so look for him to put up some big numbers this season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

The Packers will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  Green Bay went 8-7-1 last season, just barely squeaking into the playoffs by winning the NFC North. Of course, that came with Rodgers playing in just nine games, but he enters the 2014 season fully healthy and should have the offense right at the top of the league. While the Seahawks and 49ers beat each other up, it will be the Packers that emerge from the loaded NFC. - Mike Dickson