We are officially here: Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.

It's the same thing every year. We always talk about the length between the Super Bowl and season opener, but when it gets here, we respond with, "Man that went by quick!"

Regardless, the Green Bay Packers head into 2023 as one of the more exciting and curious teams in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is gone and the team has a roster filled with dynamic potential – it just has to put it all together.

And as we know, that's never guaranteed. Especially in this sport. 

With that being said, here are three bold predictions for the Packers' 2023 season that you can take to the bank.

Rashan Gary records double-digit sacks for the Packers

Gary is one of the NFL's best pass rushers, so this should be no sweat, right?

Well, not so much. For starters, Gary has never recorded double-digit sacks in his entire career. He definitely would've last year if not for the torn ACL in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions, but still, the closest he's ever came to 10+ sacks was in 2021 when he recorded 9.5.

The Packers also have been without a double-digit sacker since Za'Darius Smith nabbed 12.5 back in 2020. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Gary will be on a pitch count in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. How he recovers from his injury will obviously go a long way toward making this prediction happen, which adds another layer to the boldness.

The Packers defense is coming into yet another year with big expectations. If the unit wants to live up to said expectations then Gary will have to be on point.

And don't worry – he will be.

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon go for 1,000+ scrimmage yards each

The Packers' running back duo went for over 1,000 scrimmage yards each back in 2021, but missed out on a repeat last year.

They are going to be a big part of the offense this year, however, and with a very promising offensive line that should feature a healthy David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins. Along with an ever-rising star in Zach Tom and it's easy to see why the front five has the potential to be one of the NFL's best.

That in itself is enough reason to like Jones' and Dillon's prospects, but things get even more serious when adding in their versatility and how they're used in the Packers offense.

Here's the kicker, though: The Packers have never finished higher than 12th in carries under LaFleur. That's going to have to change in 2023 if both guys I want to see 1,000+ scrimmage yards.

Jordan Love will lead the NFC North in touchdown passes

Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff each threw 29 touchdowns last year. Justin Fields threw 17. Rodgers almost tied Cousins and Goff for the division lead with 26 touchdown passes.

Love can certainly lead the NFC North in touchdown passes in 2023. 

The Vikings offense has two very good players in Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, but the unit lost Dalvin Cook over the offseason. Alexander Mattison has proven himself to be a worthy replacement, but will defenses key in on him like Cook? We all know how Cousins can have off games, too, so there's zero guarantee he gets close to 29 in 2023. 

Goff had a really good year, but he was awful on the road. Like, really bad. Throw in the Lions' love for running the ball and the Jameson Williams suspension and one can see why Goff could have trouble matching last year's touchdown output.

And then there's Fields and the Bears. The team brought in a lot of offensive help -and very good help, at that- but everyone on that side of the ball still has to prove it can put it all together. 

Love is entering his third year in the Packers offense and a lot of the skill players he'll be depending on have at least a year's experience in the offense. And, those guys are really helping the rookies along, which should pay off.

And the end result should be a successful first year, as a starting quarterback, for Love.

Packers take advantage of NFL’s missed opportunity with Malik Heath

The Packers gave Heath a chance to prove people wrong and he took full advantage of it.

Featured image via Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports