Packers/Buccaneers Final Prediction

My final prediction for today's Packers/Buccaneers game:

Score: Packers 31, Buccaneers 17

I like the Packers' chances in this one, but to say they'll win easily might be too much of a stretch.

Why?

Because I don't trust the Packers when they play away from Lambeau. I tried to last week when they faced a seemingly-easy opponent in the Bills, but instead they put up their worst performance of the year. So, though the Buccaneers are just 2-12, I can't see Green Bay dominating. They'll score more points; that is all.

Leave your thoughts below on how accurate you think mine are.

Nelson: "We Had All Sorts of Chances" to Win Sunday

Jordy Nelson is acknowledging his role in yesterday's loss.

The star Packers WR told Madison.com after the defeat he and the team didn't capitalize on their opportunities, specifically referring to his touchdown-costing drop late in the third quarter.

"We had all sorts of chances and just didn't make them for whatever reason," Nelson said. "My drop could've won the game for us, so I've gotta make those no matter how easy or hard they are."

The missed catch likely would've given the Packers a 17-16 lead, completely altering the course of the game. Instead, though, Green Bay stayed behind until the clock hit zero, dropping their 2014 road record to 3-4.

Packers/Bills Final Prediction

My final prediction for tomorrow's Packers/Bills game:

Score: Packers 27, Bills 21

I don't see the Packers losing this one, but I don't see them exactly playing to their full potential either. They'll probably just hold a slim lead throughout and then run out the clock.

Why?

Because their defense was terrible last week and their offense has never been good on the road this season. Again, I don't think Kyle Orton will make enough to plays to pull off the upset, but nonetheless, he'll keep things close.

Leave your thoughts below on how accurate you think mine are.

Facing Orton, Packers Expect Sunday's Game to be Close

Kyle Orton has given the Packers some trouble over the past few years, so it's that surprising they're expecting him to give them all he has Sunday.

"I've always thought he's been very productive," team Head Coach Mike McCarthy recently told ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky. "We've obviously played against him in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City. Played very well against us in Kansas City down there in 2011. He has complete understanding of the offense. He can make all the throws. He can still sling it. I think he does a very good job with their offense." 

Orton's led his overall-unamazing Bills to a 7-6 record this season, so it's only reasonable to expect him to keep things close this weekend. How close is expected by many to be the only mystery, though, as the Packers have won each of their last five by a total of 88 points (a 17.6 per game average). 

Lacy a Limited Participant in Practice Thursday, But "Making Progress"

Packers RB Eddie Lacy is still recovering from a hip injury he suffered in Monday's win over the Falcons, but may be nearing a recovery.

According to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, Lacy was limited participant in the team's practice Thursday, something that's not necessarily good considering how late in the week it is.

He is, however, "making progress" in the words of Mike McCarthy, which can't be bad. Lacy was one of the biggest reasons the Packers won their last road game over the Vikings November 23, rushing for two first downs in the final minutes to run out the clock.

Let's hope he gets a chance to do so again this Sunday, when the Packers play arguably their toughest contest left on the schedule in Buffalo.

Packers Listed as 4 Point Favorites For Sunday's Bills Game

The Packers have been listed as four point favorites for Sunday's game in Buffalo.

The Packers are on a five-game win streak right now, but haven't looked great the last two weeks. In both of those games, victories over the Patriots and Falcons, they started fast but struggled in the second half, making them somewhat a mystery team as they hit the road.

As for the Bills, who are currently 7-6 overall and 4-3 at home, they're 2-1 in their last three, playing well in each of those weeks. They blewout the Jets and Browns, and lost last Sunday in Denver by just seven.

Expect their meeting with the Packers to go down to the wire, as better as Green Bay is on paper.

Peppers Defends Defensive Struggles After Win Over Falcons: We Got the Win

The Packers' defense gave up 465 total yards in Monday night's win, but Julius Peppers seems to only care about just that: it was a win.

“That’s the most important thing, getting the win. There were obviously a lot of things we could have done better, but at the end of the day, you play to win,” Peppers told ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde after the victory. “It’s good. We won. That’s what we wanted to do – get the win. So it’s on to next weekend."

Next weekend the Packers visit the Bills, so it's not like this isn't still something to be concerned about.

Looking Ahead in the Schedule: Will the Packers Lose Again in the Regular Season?

The question's right there: will the Packers lose again this regular season? In my opinion, no, they won't.

Just look at their schedule. Granted, nothing's guaranteed with this team, but considering their only actual hard games left come at Lambeau against the Eagles and Patriots (maybe the Lions, too) the rest of 2014 definitely appears favorable for three time-defending NFC North Champs. Add onto those matchups visits to three weak teams in the Bills, Buccaneers, and Vikings and walk-in-the-parks at home against the Bears and Falcons also scheduled, and I think we can all agree these next two months will be fun to watch, and very likely undefeated.

Sorry this opinion post was short, but I just had to point something positive out here. You guys are welcome.

Lions Unsure How Long Calvin Johnson Will Be Out After Injuring Ankle

The Lions are unsure how long Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson will be out after he injured his ankle in their loss today to the Bills, MIlive.com reports.

Johnson, who had just one catch in the 17-14 defeat, left this afternoon's contest early in the third quarter, never returning. 

So, since that's obviously not good and Johnson also had problems staying healthy two weeks ago against the Packers Detroit is understandably nervous right now, as Johnson is arguably their best offensive player.

This weekend's last-second falling to Buffalo, which came after they led 14-3 at halftime, dropped the Lions' record on the year to 3-2, still the best one in the NFC North.

Packers Listed as 1 1/2 Point Favorites For Sunday's Bears Game

The Packers have been listed as 1 1/2 point favorites for Sunday's game at Soldier Field.

The 1-2 team, who's coming off a disastrous 19-7 loss to the Lions last week, hasn't looked sharp at all lately, getting blown out by the Seahawks and barely beating the Jets in the other two contests they've played.

Nonetheless, due to the Bears', who currently sit at 2-1 following-to-back road wins, known inconsistency as well as the fact their only home matchup this year was a loss to the Bills it's perfectly reasonable why this prediction was made, as close as it is.

Free Agent Safety Jim Leonhard Has "Had Conversations" With The Packers

Free Agent Safety Jim Leonhard has "had conversations" with the Packers as well as other teams, NFL.com's Marc Sessler reports. 

Leonhard, a 10 year NFL veteran, played for the Bills in 2013, recording a career-high four interceptions as Buffalo went 4-12.

Earlier this offseason, interestingly, the 31 year-old actually said that he has plans to retire after the upcoming fall, something that could end up luring him to Green Bay, as they obviously give him the best chance of winning a Super Bowl.

Leonhard, 31, has been in the league since 2005, recording 385 tackles from then until now.

Flynn Blessed to Receive Second Chance with Packers

Despite the fact that he was supposed to be a high paid starter in Seattle for the 2012 season, Packers Backup QB Matt Flynn is happy to be where he is.

In an article recently published by ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde, Flynn declared himself "blessed" for his second NFL chance, one that likely won't involve much playing time.

Last year, the former NCAA National Champion was on three different rosters, starting out in Oakland before later signing with the Bills and Packers. 

While in Buffalo, Flynn never actually played, making it debatable whether or not his time there should count.

Former Lions coach Schwartz named Bills Defensive Coordinator

Former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, who was fired earlier this offseason after his team lost 6 out of their 7 last games on their way to a playoff-less 7-9 season, has been named the new defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, NFL.com reports. The Bills defense struggled mightily this year, going just 6-10, so the fact they went after a defensive-minded coach like Schwartz isn't that surprising.

In five seasons with the Lions, Schwartz went just 29-51, with an 0-1 playoff record. Despite that, I'd still say he was a pretty good coach, so yea, nice signing Buffalo.