The Green Bay Packers have different expectations heading into 2023 than they’ve had in recent years. It’s not Super Bowl or bust this season with Jordan Love taking over at quarterback but the team can still contend for a playoff berth this season despite the loss of Aaron Rodgers.
Here are four reasons the Green Bay Packers can contend for the playoffs in 2023:
Reason 1 the Packers Can Contend for the Playoffs in 2023:
The biggest reason the Packers can still contend for the playoffs this season is there is still plenty of talent on this roster.
The Packers have Pro Bowl or All Pro players throughout their lineup and other players who clearly have the potential to reach this level.
The offensive line has David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins which may be the best left side in the NFL.
Aaron Jones is a Pro Bowl running back and A.J. Dillon may be the best number two back in the league.
On defense, the roster contains Pro Bowl or All Pro players at every position group. Kenny Clark is a Pro Bowl lineman, De’Vondre Campbell is a former All Pro inside linebacker and Jaire Alexander is a Pro Bowl cornerback. Edge rusher Rashan Gary was on the brink of a Pro Bowl season when he was injured last year.
Keisean Nixon is the reigning All Pro return specialist.
The team has talent throughout the roster, the cupboard is far from bare.
Reason Number 2:
The team has young talent on the roster that should only improve as they gain experience. Second-year players like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, and Devonte Wyatt could all take steps forward in their sophomore seasons and that helps the team.
The Packers roster features more speed and athletic ability top to bottom than it did a year ago. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are far most athletic than the departed Robert Tonyan and if they reach their potential, they can be better than Tonyan ever was.
Many of those players are inexperienced but if they adjust to the NFL quickly enough, this team could be more dangerous than the 2022 version of the Packers.
Reason 3 the Packers Can Contend for the Playoffs in 2023:
One big question about the Packers this year is the difference between Love and the recently departed Rodgers. But remember, the Packers missed the playoffs by one game in 2022 and Rodgers was very average.
Statistically, Rodgers quarterback rating in 2022 was 91.1 which tied him for 15th among 32 starting quarterbacks in the league. Simply put, Rodgers was very average statistically in 2022 and was rated right in the middle of the pack among quarterbacks.
While there will almost certainly be growing pains as Love gains experience, if he can be just as average as Rodgers was last year, the Packers could easily be projected to win between eight and 10 games based on their schedule. That puts them in the thick of the playoff race.
Reason Number 4:
The NFC North does not feature any dominant teams this year. The Vikings were not as good as their 2022 record indicates and they lost many key players this offseason including Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Cook and Za’Darius Smith.
The Lions improved last year but are far from established and have a history of falling back to earth after the few good seasons they’ve enjoyed. Detroit was only one game better than the Pack a year ago.
The Bears are still rebuilding and have a very inconsistent passer in Justin Fields.
The entire NFC is wide open with Philadelphia, San Francisco and Dallas being the only clear-cut contenders as of now.
For all these reasons, the Packers could contend for the playoffs in 2023 if a few things break their way.
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