It seems like from year to year there is more turnover and changes in the NFL playoff picture than any of the big four sports. Will the Green Bay Packers, a team that was listed as the lowest seed to make the playoffs, make it this season, or will they fall short?
As mentioned, the Packers did make the playoffs last season, but it turned out to be a fairly quick exit as they lost 31-27 to their rival Chicago Bears. It was an interesting season for the Packers. They started with wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, both teams that made the postseason the previous year. Then they lost to the Browns in what was one of the more confounding games of the season. They tied the Dallas Cowboys in a shootout, 40-40, and went into the bye week with a 2-1-1 record. They ended the season winning four in a row, followed by four consecutive losses to the Bears, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings. The game against the Vikings wasn’t a big deal because they were resting players anyway.
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This season saw the wide receivers room take a bit of a turn. They had four receivers, none of whom seem all that amazing, and now they have two to concentrate on. They let Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks find other homes via free agency and trade. The odder move was letting Rasheed Walker leave the squad. He signed with the Carolina Panthers, and it was a low-value deal. He was listed as a top free agent when the season ended, so his leaving for a low contract doesn’t make a ton of sense to me.
The Green Bay Defense ranked 11th in points allowed last season. They were also 11th in total yards allowed. Part of me wonders if that is because they played some crappy teams, or if it is due to them being a good squad.
They didn’t make a ton of major additions this offseason, so we will see really quickly which it is. On offense, the value of this team comes down to what you think of Jordan Love. Last year, Love was 13th in yards, 14th in touchdowns, third in QBR, and threw six interceptions. Those aren’t super impressive numbers for someone who played in 15 of 16 games they actually were trying in. Josh Jacobs is another year older, and the wide receivers aren’t exactly amazing. I also don’t think their tight ends or offensive line are anything super special.
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I think the Packers will take a step back this season. I don’t particularly think Love is that great of a quarterback. There are too many inconsistent games from him. I also think the Vikings are better, the Lions will have a more favorable schedule, and I think there are better teams that can prevent them from the playoffs. The books have the Packers at 9.5 games. The first half of the season should be fairly easy for them; I could see them going 6-4 in the first 10 weeks. I don’t see another four wins on their schedule, though. I’d back the under 9.5. They are +125 to miss the playoffs, and I think that’s a better bet.
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