Dear Sports Fan - Page 25 of 133 - An advice column for people who live with people who live for sports

What do I need to know about the 2015 New Orleans Saints?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the New Orleans Saints?

How are New Orleans Saints fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Nervous

When are the New Orleans Saints on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 4 – vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sun, Oct 4 at 08:30 PM.
Week 6 – vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Thu, Oct 15 at 08:25 PM.
Week 15 – vs. the Detroit Lions on Mon, Dec 21 at 08:30 PM.

When is the New Orleans Saints bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 11

What was the New Orleans Saints record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

7 – 9

Who are the New Orleans Saints most important departed characters?

All Pro, All World, possibly even All Time great tight end Jimmy Graham is no longer with the Saints. You could see this split coming after a divisive fight between Graham and the team last offseason when he demanded to be paid as a wide receiver and they insisted he be treated in salary arbitration as a less valuable tight end. Graham played poorly for him last year and the Saints decided to trade him to the Seattle Seahawks for offensive lineman Max Unger and a first round pick. The Saints also made a slew of other moves, mostly because they are in a tight spot salary-cap wise. Junior Galette, the talented defensive linemen was also released following a disturbing domestic violence charge.

Who are the New Orleans Saints most important new characters?

C. J. Spiller, who has played like a bust for 95% of his career and like the best running back to ever play football for the other 5% was brought in to replace Pierre Thomas and Travid Cadet. He’ll split carries with the resurgent Mark Ingram. If he can stay healthy, Drew Brees is likely to be able to utilize him in the passing game more effectively than any of the bum quarterbacks he played with in Buffalo were able to.

Who are the New Orleans Saints most important characters?

Quarterback Drew Brees is and has been the biggest story in town since he arrived in the season after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. After two subpar seasons and at age 36, naysayers are beginning to assume that his days as an elite quarterback are over. Twice could be a coincidence but three bad seasons in a row would be the trend that leads Brees out of the league. New Orlean fans hope this isn’t the case for their beloved quarterback.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 New Orleans Saints?

Was last season the beginning of the end of Brees as a top-flight QB? Or just a blip? Despite an improved running game, the Saints can’t win without Brees firing on all cylinders.

How will the 2015 New Orleans Saints fare?

Let’s give the Saints the benefit of the doubt here. It’s hard to calculate the cost of having a star player like Jimmy Graham malingering, but figure it’s at least one win/loss. That would make the Saints 8-8 this year and that feels about right.

What do I need to know about the 2015 New England Patriots?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the New England Patriots?

How are New England Patriots fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Rightously indignant

When are the New England Patriots on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 1 – vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thu, Sep 10 at 08:30 PM.
Week 6 – vs. the Indianapolis Colts on Sun, Oct 18 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Miami Dolphins on Thu, Oct 29 at 08:25 PM.
Week 11 – vs. the Buffalo Bills on Mon, Nov 23 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Denver Broncos on Sun, Nov 29 at 08:30 PM.

When is the New England Patriots bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 4

What was the New England Patriots record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

12 – 4

Who are the New England Patriots most important departed characters?

Two key players on defense, one a supremely talented hired gun, the other the long-time heart of the Patriots defense are gone. The heart, defensive tackle, Vince Wilfork is now a Houston Texan. The hired gun, conrenback Darrelle Revis, moved back to his original team, the New York Jets. Both will be hard to replace, but the Patriots are used to replaceing the hard-to-replace player.

Who are the New England Patriots most important new characters?

The team drafted Malcolm Brown, a defensive tackle from Texas to replace Vince Wilfork. He’ll have his hands full.

Who are the New England Patriots most important characters?

Coach Bill Bellichick and quarterback Tom Brady have been together since 2000 and they’ve been the two most interesting characters on the team (and perhaps in all of football) since then. Never before has their relationship seemed as strained as it does these days. Bellichick didn’t exactly come to Brady’s defense last spring during the Deflategate controversy, nor does it seem like Brady’s desire to play into his mid 40s will mesh well with Bellichick’s plans. That said, winning heals a lot of wounds and they’ve won four Super Bowls together. That’s a lot of healing.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 New England Patriots?

The most important thing for the Patriots this season is not actually the Brady ruling — it’s how well Bellichick can heal the defense from the loss of its two (or more) biggest players. Brady may miss up to four games because of an NFL suspension for his part in the Deflategate controversy, but at age 38, missing the first four games could be a blessing in disguise.

How will the 2015 New England Patriots fare?

Until they don’t do it, you’ve got to assumre they will. Put the division title in the bag.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Minnesota Vikings?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Minnesota Vikings?

How are Minnesota Vikings fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Torn

When are the Minnesota Vikings on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 1 – vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Mon, Sep 14 at 10:20 PM.
Week 14 – vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Thu, Dec 10 at 08:25 PM.

When is the Minnesota Vikings bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 5

What was the Minnesota Vikings record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

7 – 9

Who are the Minnesota Vikings most important departed characters?

The Vikings entered last season not 100% sure who would start at quarterback, rookie Teddy Bridgewater or journeymen Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder. Bridgewater quickly made that debate moot by playing early, often, and well. This year, the team symbolized its commitment to their young quarterback by letting the other two options walk in free agency.

Who are the Minnesota Vikings most important new characters?

The Vikings added the top rated cornerback in this year’s draft class, Trae Waynes. Although the Vikings say he may not have a starting role this year, it’s easy to ignore them given their similar threat/promise and failure to follow through with Bridgewater last year. Waynes should be a good addition to an up and coming defense.

Who are the Minnesota Vikings most important characters?

It’s hard to find a character in the NFL bigger than running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson missed all but one game last year due to a series of confusing suspensions and commissioners list exemptions. Peterson was accused of child abuse after photos of his extremely young son’s wounded legs surfaced. Peterson’s defense throughout has been that, although he might have beaten his son slightly too hard, his intent and actions fall within what is legitimate for a parent. He came close to moving to another team this summer but is back with the Vikings this year. It’s a difficult dilemma for Vikings fans to find themselves in. Many of them don’t approve of Peterson’s actions off the field but still want him to succeed on the field.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Minnesota Vikings?

The Vikings look ironclad on paper, but it’s not clear how a 30 year-old running back who hasn’t played football in a year will respond to being put back on the field. Given that it’s Adrian F. Peterson, the answer is almost definitely going to be “”extremely well”” but time will tell.

How will the 2015 Minnesota Vikings fare?

The Vikings should threaten the Packers for the division championship and won’t surprise anyone if they win it.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Miami Dolphins?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Miami Dolphins?

How are Miami Dolphins fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Pumped

When are the Miami Dolphins on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 4 – vs. the New York Jets on Sun, Oct 4 at 09:30 AM.
Week 8 – vs. the New England Patriots on Thu, Oct 29 at 08:25 PM.
Week 14 – vs. the New York Giants on Mon, Dec 14 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Miami Dolphins bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 5

What was the Miami Dolphins record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

8 – 8

Who are the Miami Dolphins most important departed characters?

The Dolphins lost many of the names from last year’s offense, which may hurt in total even if none of the pieces are individually that important. Running back Knowshown Moreno, tight end Charles Clay, and wide receivers Mike Wallas, Brandon Gibson, and Brian Hartline are all on new teams.

Who are the Miami Dolphins most important new characters?

The Dolphins made the biggest splash this offseason by signing NFL bad-boy Ndomukong Suh from the Detroit Lions. Suh’s giant new contract puts the pressure firmly on him to prove that the Dolphins made a good decision. He’ll certainly feast in-division on whichever mediocre quarterbacks the Jets and Bills throw onto the field. The Patriots and Tom Brady will be a bigger challenge.

Who are the Miami Dolphins most important characters?

Suh is definitely the biggest character. He’s known for his violent offenses ON the football field. The Dolphins 2013 season fractured thanks to an off-the-field scandal involving some players harrassing a teammate. You might think they’d be hesitant to bring Suh in, but he’s never been reported to be anything other than a great teammate and person off the field.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Miami Dolphins?

The thing that’s keeping Dolphins fans on the edge of their seat is the continued developement of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. This will be Tannehill’s fourth season as the Dolphins starter. So far, he hasn’t missed a game and has improved each year. Now, he started out pretty weak, but with all the improvement, he’s starting to flirt with actual quarterback goodness. If he gets there this year, the Dolphins will succeed.

How will the 2015 Miami Dolphins fare?

Until Bill Bellichick and Tom Brady are dead and buried (football-wise, of course) it’s hard to imagine the Dolphins winning the AFC East. A wildcard spot wouldn’t be a total shock though.

How to plan for the week of Sept 7-13, 2015

If you are a sports fan or if you live with a sports fan then your weekly schedule becomes inextricably linked with what sporting events are on at what times during each week. The conflict between missing a sporting event for a poorly committed to social event and missing an appealing social event to watch a game is an important balancing act in any kind of romantic, familial, or business relationship between a sports fan and a non-sports fan. To help facilitate this complicated advanced mathematics, Dear Sports Fan has put together a table showing the most important sporting events of the upcoming week. Print it out, put it on your fridge, and go through it with your scheduling partner.

This does not include MLB baseball games. There are so many of those every day that another approach is needed. That approach is our special Daily MLB Forecast.

Download a full-size copy here.

Monday and Tuesday: Sorry — I was on vacation. No sports happened. (Okay, they did.)

Wednesday: The second half of the U.S. Open quarterfinals leads the way in the sports world today. The headlining matches are Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet around 8 p.m. and Simona Halep vs. Victoria Azarenka at 1:30 p.m. In the evening, get your last fix of soccer before the NFL season starts with the Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City. Both teams are “mid-table” which means in the middle of the standings of the Western Conference, so this will be a heated competition.

Thursday: Our long national nightmare is over. The NFL begins its 2015 season today with a heck of a game. The defending champion, New England Patriots, who have been at the center of the swirling Deflategate controversy over the past four months, host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are a perennially good team with the potential to be a great one. With two accomplished quarterbacks and two of the league’s best receiving weapons in New England tight end Rob Gronkowski and Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown, this game should be high scoring and exciting. Alas, the NFL will probably overshadow the women’s semifinals at the U.S. Open. That’s a shame because Serena Williams is on what could be a historically great run.

Friday: Date night! If you feel like making it a sportsy outing, have a weissbier in the afternoon while you enjoy some German league soccer. In the evening, continue the international feel with the men’s semifinals of the U.S. Open. On one side, a Bosnian, Marin Cilic will face a Serb, Nocak Djokovic. Watch out! On the other side, the quarterfinals haven’t yet been decided, but we could have a match of two Swiss players or a French or South African player might crash the party.

Saturday: The day begins with a titanic matchup of British soccer teams: Manchester United and Liverpool are two of the best known and most followed soccer teams in the world. College football then takes the baton and dominates the rest of the day. The best game, at least by the numbers, is an evening game between two top-25 ranked teams: Oregon and Michigan State. Oregon is traditionally known for its offense and Michigan State for its defense. The women’s final of the U.S. Open will be must-watch TV if Serena Williams survives the semifinals to appear in it. She’ll be going for a “calendar Grand Slam” which means she will have won all four major tournaments in 2015. She’s already won the Australian, French, and Wimbledon. The U.S. Open is the last piece of the puzzle!

Sunday: Although it’s hard for most sports fans to think about anything but the first Sunday of the NFL season, there are a few other giant sports attractions today. The men’s final of the U.S. Open won’t approach the drama of the women’s final, but especially if Roger Federer is involved, it will also have a sentimental rooting interest. The NWSL playoffs begin with two games on Fox Sports 1: the Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City in the afternoon and Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit in the evening. As for the NFL, well, the best game in the 1 p.m. time slot is the Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers. The best game of the late afternoon slot is the Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens. But, you know, if you love football, just glory in the presence of so many games.

Caveat — This forecast is optimized for the general sports fan, not a particular sports fan. As such, your mileage may vary. For instance, you or the sports fan in your life is a fan of a particular team, then a regular season MLB baseball game or MLS soccer game may be more important on a particular day than anything on the forecast above. Use the calendar as a way to facilitate conversation about scheduling, not as the last word on when there are sports to watch.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Kansas City Chiefs?

How are Kansas City Chiefs fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Uneasy

When are the Kansas City Chiefs on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 2 – vs. the Denver Broncos on Thu, Sep 17 at 08:25 PM.
Week 3 – vs. the Green Bay Packers on Mon, Sep 28 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Detroit Lions on Sun, Nov 1 at 09:30 AM.
Week 11 – vs. the San Diego Chargers on Sun, Nov 22 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Kansas City Chiefs bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 9

What was the Kansas City Chiefs record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

9 – 7

Who are the Kansas City Chiefs most important departed characters?

Center Rodney Hudson, thought to be the best offensive lineman that the Chiefs had, left the team as a free agent to play with the Oakland Raiders.

Who are the Kansas City Chiefs most important new characters?

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin comes in from Philadelphia to solidify a Chiefs receiving core that didn’t score a single touchdown last year. Sometimes considered to be injury prone, Maclin is a firecracker when he’s on the field and able.

Who are the Kansas City Chiefs most important characters?

Maclin will join former Philadelphia Eagles coach, Andy Reid, in Kansas City. Reid has coached the Chiefs the last two years with his signature style that involves being really, really good at everything except for clock management and goal line plays.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs?

Quarterback Alex Smith is seen as this team’s limiting factor. Critics suggest that his limited arm strength make it impossible for him to ever lead this team beyond the first round of the playoffs. Is it possible that better receiving weapons will prove that wrong?

How will the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs fare?

The Chiefs take a step back this year. Something like 7-9 seems more likely than last year’s 9-7.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Jacksonville Jaguars?

How are Jacksonville Jaguars fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Springing eternal

When are the Jacksonville Jaguars on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 7 – vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sun, Oct 25 at 09:30 AM.
Week 11 – vs. the Tennessee Titans on Thu, Nov 19 at 08:25 PM.

When is the Jacksonville Jaguars bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 8

What was the Jacksonville Jaguars record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

3 – 13

Who are the Jacksonville Jaguars most important departed characters?

Trust in the Jaguars to already have lost their first round pick, pass rusher Dante Fowler, for the year to an ACL injury. It’s a big loss, even if he’s never played a snap in the NFL.

Who are the Jacksonville Jaguars most important new characters?

The Jaguars get two new skill players in second round draft pick T.J. Yeldon at running back and free agent signing Julius Thomas at tight end. Thomas is already injured but Yeldon has escaped the bug so far.

Who are the Jacksonville Jaguars most important characters?

Blake Bortles was supposed to sit out his entire rookie year but ended up starting for most of last year. It didn’t go well but he’s not entirely without promise. He’ll need to improve a lot this year, otherwise the franchise may move on without him.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars?

Just how terrible will they be? The Jaguars have won only nine games over the last three seasons.

How will the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars fare?

Pretty terrible! Not quite as bad as before though. This is actually a good thing. The Jaguars are at least shooting for incremental improvement, which is possible, instead of a revolutionary turnaround, which is close to impossible.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Indianapolis Colts?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Indianapolis Colts?

How are Indianapolis Colts fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Frustrated

When are the Indianapolis Colts on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 2 – vs. the New York Jets on Mon, Sep 21 at 08:30 PM.
Week 5 – vs. the Houston Texans on Thu, Oct 8 at 08:25 PM.
Week 6 – vs. the New England Patriots on Sun, Oct 18 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Carolina Panthers on Mon, Nov 2 at 08:30 PM.
Week 13 – vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun, Dec 6 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Indianapolis Colts bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 10

What was the Indianapolis Colts record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

11 – 5

Who are the Indianapolis Colts most important departed characters?

Reggie Wayne was the most significant bridge between the Peyton Manning era and the Andrew Luck era. That bridge is finally broken with Wayne’s retirement. Also missing is running back Trent Richardson who was a massive disappointment for the Colts and will not be missed.

Who are the Indianapolis Colts most important new characters?

The Colts signaled their intent to win now by signing two 30+ year-old veterans from other teams. Running back Frank Gore comes over from the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Andre Johnson from the Houston Texans. They’ve both certainly declined but just how far remains to be seen.

Who are the Indianapolis Colts most important characters?

Andrew Luck is the rock that this team’s offense is built around. The Colts don’t have a great offensive line, they have sub par running backs, and their wide receivers are not wonderful. Somehow, Luck makes it all work, or at least he has so far.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Indianapolis Colts?

The Colts season ended last year in New England when the Patriots decided they could simplify football into a game of strength and beat the Colts defense into submission. Can the defense get stouter? Otherwise, New England will just pile-drive them again.

How will the 2015 Indianapolis Colts fare?

Gore and Johnson will be respectable enough to help Luck drag the team back to the playoffs again. The defense can’t improve enough to promise any more than that.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Houston Texans?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Houston Texans?

How are Houston Texans fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Ready for defensive havoc

When are the Houston Texans on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 5 – vs. the Indianapolis Colts on Thu, Oct 8 at 08:25 PM.
Week 10 – vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Mon, Nov 16 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Houston Texans bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 9

What was the Houston Texans record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

9 – 7

Who are the Houston Texans most important departed characters?

Veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson left in free agency to go to the Indianapolis Colts. This will likely hurt long-time fans more than it hurts the team on the field. Johnson is far enough past his prime that he’s no longer the elemental force he once was. Still, to leave and play for one of the Texans rivals is a hard pill to swallow.

Who are the Houston Texans most important new characters?

Vince Wilfork, the rotund heart and soul of the championship winning New England Patriots defense joins J. J. Watt and company on the Texans fearsome defensive line. Less fearsome has been the Texans choice of quarterbacks over the past several years. This year, Brian Hoyer, who started some games for the Cleveland Browns during the past two years, joins the team.

Who are the Houston Texans most important characters?

J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL and it’s not that close. He’s won NFL defensive player of the year twice in the past three years and was a legitimate NFL Most Valuable Player candidate at times last year.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Houston Texans?

Is Hoyer’s blandness enough to push them over the top? A league average quarterback might be enough for the Texans to make the playoffs. Can Hoyer be average?

How will the 2015 Houston Texans fare?

A fearsome defense plus a mere average offense is all they need. If you want average, Hoyer is the quarterback for you! The Texans go 9-7 or 10-6 and sneak into the playoffs.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Green Bay Packers?

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Green Bay Packers?

How are Green Bay Packers fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Mad at the world but still harboring some positivity

When are the Green Bay Packers on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 2 – vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sun, Sep 20 at 08:30 PM.
Week 3 – vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Mon, Sep 28 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Denver Broncos on Sun, Nov 1 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Chicago Bears on Thu, Nov 26 at 08:30 PM.
Week 13 – vs. the Detroit Lions on Thu, Dec 3 at 08:25 PM.

When is the Green Bay Packers bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 7

What was the Green Bay Packers record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

12 – 4

Who are the Green Bay Packers most important departed characters?

The Packers lost their best wide receiver, Jordy Nelson, for the year to an ACL injury in the preseason. That’s going to hurt. Less important on the field, perhaps, but more telling about how last season ended, is the departure of backup tight end, Brandon Bostick. Bostick was the player whose mistake on an onside kick helped the Seattle Seahawks complete their shocking comeback against the Packers in the NFC Championship game. He claimed he was scapegoated by the team for an honest mistake. I believe him.

Who are the Green Bay Packers most important new characters?

The Packers didn’t really add anyone major in the offseason, although they did take a late flyer on quarterback Brett Hundley in the draft. Aaron Rodgers is only 31 and seems invulnerable but perhaps, just perhaps, the Packers have begun to think about life after Rodgers.

Who are the Green Bay Packers most important characters?

Head coach Mike McCarthy has coached the Packers for nine seasons. During that time, he’s accumulated a record of 94-49-1 and won a Super Bowl. He has a wealth of job security but he’s never faced a challenge like he does this year. The Packers were virtually celebrating a return trip to the Super Bowl last year before the Seahawks stole it literally and figuratively out of their hands. How will McCarthy lead his team in the aftermath of that loss?

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Green Bay Packers?

In basketball, the San Antonio Spurs rallied around a bad loss in the finals one year and won the championship the next year. That may be harder to replicate in football partially just because there are so many more people and personalities involved. The Packers seem to already have scapegoated Brandon Bostick. Is that enough to move on? What will their team hangover be like?

How will the 2015 Green Bay Packers fare?

Hangover or no, they’ll win the division. The Bears are terrible and the Lions are moving backwards. Only the Vikings seem to be improving but they’ve got a long way to go to reach the Packers.