The 2016 Green Bay Packers Season is here! And to kick it off, the Packers will face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. A few years ago this game would have been an easy check-off in the win column. However, the times may be changing in Jacksonville as the Jaguars have really capitalized in the past few years with their drafts and free agency. This may be the first year we truly get to hear those kitties purr. Here are three things to watch for in the Packers at Jaguars game.
Packers at Jaguars: What to Watch For
Jacksonville wide receivers versus Green Bay cornerbacks
Coming off a top shelf 2015 campaign Green Bay’s secondary is poised to become a household name in the 2016 season. They are young, hungry and ready for more. With almost all of the starters returning (Casey Hayward to San Diego) you can expect big numbers from a group that ranked sixth overall against the pass along with allowing the fourth lowest completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks (58.3). Only the Tennessee Titans allowed fewer receptions (319 vs 321).
Sam Shields leads this young group of corners with seven years in the league. Behind him are a pair of second year players in Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. Although young, this secondary has game experience and results. Both Rollins and Randall had great rookie years (81 tackles and five interceptions total) and are expected to progress into their sophomore seasons. And they will be tested early in the 2016 season as they fire off against a talented receiving core in Jacksonville.
Jags Receivers
Jacksonville ranked fourth in the NFL in pass play percentage, second in passing touchdowns, 12th in pass attempts, and fifth in yards per completion. There is no doubt around the league that this is one of the fastest rising, young receiving groups in the AFC. It all starts with the Allens.
Allen Robinson – Robinson had a breakout season last year catching 80 passes for an even 1,400 yards. He found the end zone 14 times which tied him with Doug Baldwin and Brandon Marshall for most receiving touchdowns. Robinson jumped to the top of the list of receivers last year and proved he belongs in the same category as the “Big Names”. It will be interesting to see if he continues to progress this year. The Jags have continued to grow their offense and you have to wonder if that will take away from some of the reliance of Robinson.
Allen Hurns – The second of the Allens, Hurns was a quiet producer totaling 1,031 yards on his 64 catches while finding the end zone ten times. He was targeted less than Robinson, but he converted a higher percentage of his targets into catches. Hurns went through the season in the shadow of Robinson, but put up large numbers and put the receiving corps on the map. Because two is always better than one.
Marqise Lee – The sleeper of the group. A highly touted prospect coming out of USC in 2014 (a round before Robinson), Lee was expected to be the number one receiver. However, some slow starts and minor injuries hampered him from getting a full season in. He only managed 191 yards on 15 catches all last season. With all of the attention garnered on the two Allens, there is reason to believe that this could be Lee’s breakout year.
Special Teams
Normally not a topic of discussion among fans, but the Green Bay Packers have shaken things up in the past week. And what is usually a regular has now become a question. The one thing that continues to remain is kicker Mason Crosby. Within a week the Packers have released undrafted free agent punter Peter Mortell, longtime punter Tim Masthay, and long snapper Rick Lovato. A full-fledged change up. Green Bay reached out and re-signed veteran long snapper Brett Goode to replace Lovato.
After the Packers released Peter Mortell, it appeared as if Masthay had once again won the job. Even though the battle this year was as tight as ever and most would have given the nod to Mortell. So when both were released, it was interesting to find out that the team had claimed Jake Schum off of waivers. He was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter all season last year.
Schum has only one season of NFL regular-season experience and he didn’t get his first shot with a team until a 2013 tryout with the Browns, when he was 24 years old and two years out of college. Schum averaged 41.9 yards (gross) and 38.0 (net) on 56 punts for Tampa Bay last season.
In his one preseason game with the Packers, Schum had eight punts, averaging 45.4 yards, and a long of 57 yards. Enough to win himself a position heading into the regular season.
Punting wasn’t the only thing that Special Teams Coach Ron Zook wanted to change up. The expected returners this year have also been switched up. Last year, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis took most of the returns, with Micah Hyde contributing as well. This year, Janis starts the season injured, while the team has fully added Jared Abbrederis to the mix along with draft pick Trevor Davis and recent waiver claim Jhurell Pressley.
It is safe to say that the one downfall of the past few years has been the special teams. Mason Crosby has been phenomenal ever since we took away his guaranteed contract and made his deal incentive based. Besides him, the return team, the punting, and especially the onside squad has suffered drastically. It may be the missing piece to get the Lombardi Trophy home.
Green Bay’s Offense (Can They Return to Glory?)
The ultimate question. Can Green Bay recover from what was a twilight zone like performance last year? Jacksonville has a handful of talented players on their defense. A ton of big name guys from college. On paper, this team has the potential to be one of the best in the league. However, what always looks good on paper does not always translate well on the field. Football is much more than measurables.
As good as Jacksonville’s defense may be, the truth of the matter is, they are young and lacking chemistry. The top three corners, Prince Amukamara, Davon House, and Jalen Ramsey combined have only one year of experience with the Jaguars. At safety, Jonathon Cyprien leads the group with three years of experience. Tashaun Gipson, who lines up with Cyprien is another first year player with the team.
This allows for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers wide receivers to attack early and take advantage of the lack of chemistry and experience. Don’t be surprised to see the Packers strike fast and strike often.
With the return of Jordy Nelson, and the full health of all of our offensive weapons, there is no reason that this offense cannot resume its normal level of execution. With the addition of Jared Cook, the Green Bay offense is not only poised to resume, but should exceed their expectations offensively.
Prediction
This will be no walk in the park for Green Bay. Jacksonville is a young team on the rise and will use every bit to fight off this Green Bay squad. Whether it be the weather or the relentless play-calling on defense, this team will fight. The only problem with being too aggressive against this Packers team is that Aaron Rodgers thrives on it. If you sit back, he will pick you apart. If you blitz, he will make you pay. If Jacksonville can find that happy medium, then they may have a chance to play point for point with the Packers. Jacksonville will get some scores as Green Bay’s defense works some kinks out in the heat. Green Bay’s offense is loaded with talent at all positions. Which will prove to be too much for the young Jaguars team. In two or three years, the outcome may be different. But when all is said and done, the Packers reign supreme another year.
Score: Green Bay 31 Jacksonville 17
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