A Small Preview of the 2013 Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and company are set to start up training camp this upcoming week, which means that the 2013 NFL season is right around the corner. Many experts are predicting another NFC North championship, which would give them their 3rd straight. With the Super Bowl being the ultimate prize yet again, is the team balanced enough?

As has been the case the past few seasons, the team’s success begins and ends with Rodgers. While there are certainly other great players on the team, they would not be a true Super Bowl contender without #12 hooking up with receivers all game. He is coming off another great season in 2012, which should see him taken as the 3rd QB on average in fantasy football 2013, and the team feels that as long as he is in the middle of his prime, they have a chance to win the Super Bowl.

Since winning it all in 2010, the Packers have fizzled out of the playoffs the past couple seasons in unimpressive fashion. Between just a mediocre defense overall and a lack of dependable talent running the football, teams have been able to counteract Rodgers in a variety of ways. The Packers spent this off-season trying to fill those gaps, and at least on paper, it appears as though they are onto something.

Eddie Lacy (left) and Johnathan Franklin (right) are set to take over the Packers' running game. Photo: Sportige.com

A pair of rookies will get a chance to make an instant impact running the football, as both Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin bring speed and power to the position. Lacy has the inside track on getting starter touches, but both could play a huge role balancing the offense.

The defense has actually improved from year-to-year, so expect another slight improvement in 2013. Anchored by Clay Matthews, the younger players have started to finally feed off of him. A young, talented secondary will be a year older and wiser this season, which should help them stop the passing game a bit more.

Losing Greg Jennings will hurt the offense a little, but there are plenty of wide receivers on the roster who can fill his role. This team is probably not as good as the 15-1 2011 squad, nor are they as bad as the 11-5 2012 squad. Expect 12-13 wins for the Packers in 2013, with another divisional crown to their name.

Until next time, Beer, Brats, and Championships.

- Jeff White of FanDuel.com

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