The Packers finished the 2019 season with a 13-3 record, first in the NFC North. They edged the Seahawks in the Divisional Round, 28-23 before falling to the 49ers on the NFC Championship Game, 37-20. Despite what is likely to be much turbulence around the league before the season begins due to the coronavirus pandemic, pre-draft power rankings are out and Packers land near the top, according to Matt Verderame of Fansided:
Green Bay has a few things going for it. One, Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. Two, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Three, the NFC North got worse.
The defending Super Bowl champs in Kansas City sit on top followed by the Baltimore Ravens. The next five teams are all from the NFC, with the Packers in the mix. New Orleans, San Francisco, and Seattle come in next with the Packers 6th, just ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles. With the extended playoff format to seven teams per conference, the Packers should be right in the mix in a likely tough NFC field.
The Packers are clearly very talented, but will get significant help due to a somewhat weakened division. Detroit ranks 27th and likely will be grooming a quarterback for the future soon. Nick Foles takes over for Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback in Chicago, but the Bears are likely to be no more than average. Minnesota will have a difficult time making up for the loss of key players such as Linval Joseph, Stefon Diggs, Everson Grifeen, and Tae Waynes.
Matt LaFleur has a season under his belt as head coach, which is a plus. The Packers also still have Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Despite now 36 years of age with injury issues in his past, Rodgers put up 4002 yards passing, with 26 touchdowns and four interceptions last season. The return of a healthy Davante Adams, along with Aaron Jones and another year under LaFleur’s system should make the offense even more potent.
Defensively, the Packers have two of the best pass rushers in Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, who combined for 25.5 sacks. The ninth ranked defense in terms of points allowed last season should be even better.
All told, it would be a shock for the Packers to not defend their divisional title this season and make another strong push in the post season.
At this point in time, if all goes well, the NFL season should start on time — however, that is still up in the air. The lack of sports being played pretty much around the world has created a giant void in the sports gambling world. Some are filling that gap with other types of online gambling, such as Online slots UK. If anything, the draft and training camp aren’t likely to go down as usual. We will all just have to wait and see.
Foles taking over? Noooooooooo! We want Mitch!
Meh…..horse apiece. 2013 was a long time ago.
The results are in…..
ALL- DECADE, bitches
Hard to believe SI named the Packers in 2011 as the team most likely to win the most SBs in the coming decade. What the hell happened! Well maybe i know why. Arrogance and denial in the front office. A mentally deteriorating GM. Rarely using FA. Zero commitment to building an offense around a hall of a fame qb. Long time HC unwilling to evolve. Clear as crystal as to why we didnt win more SBs. Clear as crystal.