We the people of the cheesehead nation want the North back! It has been three years too long since Green Bay has won the NFC North. After finishing third in the division with a record of 1-5, the Packers and HC Matt LaFleur look to progress forward beyond the 7th seed. Going 0-4 against the Lions and Vikings again feels unacceptable, yet not likely.
A lot must go right to reclaim the crown like the obvious offensive line staying healthy and reliable, elevating as one of the best in the league and improvement in pressuring the quarterback leading to increased turnovers and sacks. Here are some other important factors that need to happen for the Pack to win the kings of the North title back.
Green Bay finished 5th in total defense allowing 314.5 yards per game while allowing 39 total touchdowns putting them tied for 9th with the Ravens and Steelers respectively. The Packers held opponents to 19.9 points per game finishing 6th in scoring defense and consistently stopped the run holding opponents to 99.4 yards per game which was 7th in the league.
Although they finished 12th in third down defense, the biggest room for improvement is the red zone defense as the Packers finished 20th with a 60% red zone TD rate. We all saw the potential in the Wild Card playoff game as Jeff Hafley’s scheme against the Eagles held the eventual Super Bowl Champs offense in check. Imagine if Jaire Alexander returns what the true potential of this defense could be.
There were moments last season where the chemistry between Love and Jacobs was eye popping showing flashes of brilliance. Out of the teams last year who won the division, here is what the top QB/RB duos looked like all making it to the Divisional Round:
Eagles- Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Super Bowl champs as Barkley won offensive player of the year.
Bills- Josh Allen and James Cook. Allen won his first MVP and Cook was tied for first in rushing touchdowns with 16.
Ravens- Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry. Jackson finished second in MVP while Henry also had 16 rushing touchdowns.
Lions- Jared Goff and the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Goff was consistent all season utilizing his running back duo as Gibbs finished first in the league with 20 total touchdowns.
Love and Jacobs are currently on the outside looking in of this top five list. In order for Green Bay to get ahead of Detroit and win a playoff game, they both need to take a leap together. Prepare for a Love breakout season!
I predicted in my article last week that Green Bay will sweep Detroit this season. Ballsy? A little bit. Delusional? Maybe, depends who you ask. But considering when Green Bay plays Detroit in the schedule I think it will benefit the Packers more in the matchup. If not Detroit being swept then I would bet on Chicago. Every division game matters.
We are aware that the Packers have a gauntlet of division games from Thanksgiving to the final week of the season (5 division opponents in 7 games). It can not be underestimated how HC Matt Lafluer needs to have this team as prepared as possible in the final stretch. This will make or break Green Bay’s season. Realistically, 4-2 has to be the mark for the Packers to steal back the NFC North crown.
I am not saying that they absolutely need to establish a number one wide receiver. In fact, I think the whole narrative that having a number one is a must in order for winning success is total nonsense. I recall Green Bay’s last Super Bowl victory had a talented receiving core with no true number one as it varied game-to-game. I see a lot of similarities with this young versatile group.
Drafting Matthew Golden and Savion Williams should motivate Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs to elevate their game (and cut the drops PLEASE). Christian Watson being ahead of schedule is also encouraging as his deep threat ability will be helpful in the final stretch of the season. The Packers must have a top two receiving core in the division if they want to be number one. Side note, it would not shock me if Tucker Kraft turned out to be the team leader in catches.
Do I need to say more? This is low key the most glaring need for improvement. The Packers finished in the bottom of the NFL in special team rankings. Re-signing Brandon McManus was an underrated offseason win for Green Bay. It is a breath of fresh air, and a peace of mind, to have a reliable and consistent kicker going into the season (forgot what that felt like for a minute). Clutch field goal kicks need to be made and execution needs to be way more consistent in punt coverage and returns. Better blocking, less penalties.
In games where the Packers offense became stagnant last year, punter Daniel Whelan was a factor at times in the battle of field position as he always seemed to have a timely booming punt. A lot of eyes are on special team coordinator Rich Bisaccia who got extended for another two years in the offseason. Packers need to have the most improved special teams in the league and be in the same sphere as the best in the division.