2013 Record: 8-7-1

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 10.0

2014 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'

Over the past five years the Packers have essentially morphed into a poor man's version of the New England Patriots. Both teams are riding five-year playoff streaks and each has made a Super Bowl appearance during that stretch. Their records are similar (55-24-1 for Green Bay versus 61-19 for New England) and both squads enter this season as prohibitive favorites to win their division. Finally, at the heart of each franchise is a talented coach and an all-time great quarterback.

But, like the Patriots, the Packers seems to rely so much on Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers that they seem content with letting that duo mask some serious issues on the rest of the team.

Beyond guard Josh Sitton the rest of the Packers offensive line is mediocre. They have let a bunch of talented receivers walk in free agency and there is zero depth at the skill positions. Defensively there are a few standouts, namely Clay Matthews and Sam Shields, but the Packers are extremely average on that side of the ball as well.

Green Bay lost the most starts in the NFL to injury in 2012. They lost the third-most starts to injury last year, including losing Rodgers for seven games. At some point you'd have to think they'd catch a break or two in that department. And a full season of Rodgers should get them back above the 10-win plateau for fifth time in six years.

A brutal opening month, with three of four games on the road and three straight divisional games between Sept. 21 and Oct. 2, will set the tone for the Packers season. If they survive that stretch the rest of the slate is very manageable. They have a stretch from Week 10 t0 Week 14 in which they play four of five games at home. And the Packers don't play a single game in December against teams that made the playoffs last year.

The Packers will drop a divisional game. Beyond that their toughest games are at Seattle, at New Orleans and hosting the Patriots. Even if they lose all three of those games, and factor in one other upset, and the Packers should still win 11 games. So I'm playing this team 'over' and, like the Patriots, looking for their elite quarterback to just keep pumping out double-digit winning seasons and playoff berths.

Packers Regular Season Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4, at Seattle, 8:30 PM

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, NY Jets, 4:25 PM

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, at Detroit, 1 PM

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, at Chicago, 1 PM

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 2, Minnesota, 8:25 PM

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, at Miami, 1 PM

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, Carolina, 1 PM

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, at New Orleans, 8:30 PM

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, Chicago, 8:30 PM

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, Philadelphia, 1 PM

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Minnesota, 1 PM

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, New England, 4:25 PM

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 8, Atlanta, 8:30 PM

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Buffalo, 1 PM

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, at Tampa Bay, 1 PM

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, Detroit, 1 PM

Robert will be releasing his 2014 NFL Futures Predictions on Thursday, Aug. 14. Last year's top two picks (8-Unit Play on Arizona 'over' 5.5 wins and 6-Unit Play on Kansas City over 7.0 wins) both won easily and he has hit his top NFL Futures Play (rated 7.0 or higher) in four straight seasons. For more information visit his Insider's Page HERE.

Robert Ferringo is one of the best NFL handicappers in the world and is coming off one of the best football betting seasons in the 43-year history of Doc's Sports. Robert banked nearly $8,000 in profit for his football clients and won a stunning 62.1 percent of his NFL plays (95-58). Robert has won over 70 percent of his last 58 NFL side plays (41-17) and has posted six of seven winning NFL seasons. He has banked $17,400 in football profit, college and pro, over the last 20 months and he is excited about building on his staggering resume. Take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached $60 credit to use toward a purchase of Robert's football selections. You cannot afford to miss out on this great offer - click here.

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