SI Makes One Bold Prediction About 2023 Packers

In his 100 bold predictions for the 2023 NFL season, SI's Conor Orr thinks the Packers will crush the over/under win total of 7.5.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Jun 3, 2023 11:12 AM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr promised 100 “bold” predictions ahead of the 2023 NFL season. And this one involving the Green Bay Packers certainly fit.

After going 8-9 with Aaron Rodgers in 2022 – and with sportsbooks establishing the over/under win total at 7.5 – the Packers will go 10-7 with Jordan Love in 2023.

“This isn’t an Aaron Rodgers take,” Orr wrote. “This is a Matt LaFleur, Jordan Love and Brian Gutekunst take.”

Working in Green Bay’s favor are a few things.

One, the NFC North is not strong. The Detroit Lions are the prohibitive favorites, but the Minnesota Vikings are unlikely to duplicate last year’s record-setting 11 wins in one-score games and the Chicago Bears might be a year away.

Two, the schedule isn’t daunting. By one measuring stick, the Packers have the ninth-easiest slate of games in 2023. As part of the schedule rotation are four games against the NFC South, the worst division in the NFL and perhaps all of professional sports.

Three, Love in particular faces a weak schedule. That could allow the first-year starter a relatively easy breaking-in process as a first-year starter.

“I’ve got 100 percent confidence in him, and I think he’s ready to show the world and I’m ready for the world to see,” receiver Christian Watson said recently.

There are more Packers items among Orr’s list of 100. One of them: Keisean Nixon will return three kickoffs for touchdowns. The NFL record is four, a mark shared by Green Bay’s Travis “The Road Runner” Williams in 1967. Williams’ 41.1-yard average also set a record.

Nixon was the NFL’s All-Pro returner last season. Even while not getting his first opportunity until late in Week 6, Nixon led the league in kickoff-return yards and kickoff returns of 50-plus yards and was third with a 28.8-yard average.

What can he do for an encore?

“I don’t know. They’ve got to give me the ball,” Nixon said recently. “They’ve got to kick it to me. It’s going to get special, though.”

Also included are predictions for Rodgers, Davante Adams and Marcedes Lewis.

For all 100 predictions, including one for backup quarterback, click here.