The Green Bay Packers were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL during the 2023 season. After a midseason swoon saw their record drop 3-6, they finished the regular season on a tear.
Green Bay would win six out of their last eight games, and three in a row to close the regular season, to sneak into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Their strong play continued in the postseason as they blew out the Dallas Cowboys 48-32, becoming the first seven-seed in NFL history to advance.
The Packers’ season was ended by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, but they gave the eventual NFC Champions all they could handle. Green Bay was leading the game in the fourth quarter, but their inexperience showed down the stretch as the 49ers pulled out the victory.
NFL News & Rumors: Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur, Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers Updates
Heading into the 2024 offseason, the Packers have a few needs to address. But, this is a team closer to contending than people originally believed, especially with Jordan Love looking like a bonafide NFL quarterback.
With another year of experience, and some valuable playoff time as well, the Packers are a team on the rise in the NFC. Just how big of a raise is expected? Matt Bowen of ESPN has made them his early prediction to win Super Bowl 59.
Bowen believes that the Packers will defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, winning their first Super Bowl since the 2010 season. It would be quite a rapid turnaround for the franchise, whom many predicted would need some time to adjust to life after Aaron Rodgers.
“A healthy quarterback Joe Burrow will put the Bengals back in the mix as one of the top teams in the AFC. It’s the Packers, however, who win the Super Bowl because of quarterback Jordan Love’s difference-making ability and a change in defensive philosophy under new coordinator Jeff Hafley,” wrote Bowen.
There is a lot of talent to be unlocked on the defensive side of the ball in Green Bay. Joe Barry was unable to get the most out of that group, which led to head coach Matt LaFleur firing him and replacing him with Jeff Hafley, the former head coach at Boston College.
NFL News & Rumors: Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur, Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers Updates
The Packers have a burgeoning explosive offense led by Love, who is surrounded by high-upside, young talent. The only missing piece offensively could be a running back depending on how the offseason shakes out and some more veteran depth along the offensive line wouldn’t hurt.
If general manager Brian Gutekunst can address those needs, the Packers will be a popular sleeper pick in 2024. Bowen is wasting no time, putting his chips behind Green Bay early in the offseason.
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