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Packers Set to Open the 2012 NFL Season Against the 49ers
After a disappointing end to their Super Bowl title defense, the Green Bay Packers will have to dust themselves off and get back to work in the 2012 NFL regular season. Even though Green Bay will be amongst the favorites to win it all in 2012, the Packers will have their work cut out for them right out of the gate as they are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Last season there were few teams in the NFL that could contend with the likes of Green Bay. Many teams were thought to give this team a run for their money, but few stepped up to the challenge of competing with the defending champs on the gridiron. With the team on the verge of a potential undefeated season, Aaron Rodgers and company were just dominating teams week in and week out with another Super Bowl run in the back of their minds.
Unfortunately, the Packers fell short in 2011 as they ran out of gas late in the season. During the majority of the regular season, Green Bay was second to none with team in the league being able to play on the same field, but the team just couldn’t maintain that dominance.
With the Packers taking on the 49ers right out of the gate in 2012, Green Bay might be at an advantage as they will be tested early by a lockdown defense and a vastly improved offense. Whether or not the Packers can get back to form remains to be seen, but Week 1 will be entertaining to say the least with two potential Super Bowl title contenders going head-to-head.
Are the Green Bay Packers Still the Best Team in the NFC North?
After winning the Super Bowl in the 2010 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers were dubbed the total package with an extremely talented squad on both sides of the football. With Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers leading the way offensively and Clay Matthews dominating the competition on the defense end of the gridiron, the Packers future was bright to say the least as many anticipated Green Bay being a perennial Super Bowl title contender for the foreseeable future.
In 2011, the Packers looked like the team to beat with an overpowering offense and a career-year out of Rodgers. The offense of Green Bay was near unstoppable with the ability to put up points at will, but the defense was flawed despite the impressive season just one year earlier. With the Packers showing flaws, it finally caught up with them as they struggled to get back to form late in the season and during the NFL playoffs.
Ultimately, the Green Bay Packers had their Super Bowl title defense ended prematurely with the eventual champion New York Giants beating them in convincing fashion in the playoffs.
Coming into the 2012 NFL season, the Packers will look to get back on track, but things will only get tougher from here on out; especially within the NFC North division. Not only are the Detroit Lions a team on the rise, but the Chicago Bears will be a force to be reckoned with once again after acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall to pair with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler.
Needless to say, the Packers will have their work cut out for them in the upcoming NFL season as an undefeated season is out of the question and a NFC North division title might be as well.
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