The NFL season starts in a month. After a season that began with uncertainty, it became a success for one particular team. The Green Bay Packers. After starting the 2023 season 3-6 after nine games, they were able to rebound and finish 9-8 and advance to the playoffs. They defeated the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card round before falling to a familiar playoff opponent, the San Francisco 49ers.
Green Bay is led by quarterback Jordan Love, who just became the highest-paid player in the NFL with a four-year, $212 million contract. After the season they just played, it’s easy to believe this team can take the next step. Here are five reasons why they will win the NFC and go to the Super Bowl in 2024.
Related: The Green Bay Packers are in Sportsnauts NFL rankings
Green Bay Packers upgraded the secondary
The Packers’ defense ranked in the top 10 in pass defense last year despite inconsistent performance from their safeties and linebackers. This offseason, general manager Brian Gutenkunst hit a home run in free agency and the draft. The team released former safety Darnell Savage and signed the most coveted defensive back in free agency, former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney. McKinney had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries last year.
Green Bay also signed linebacker Edgerrin Cooper from the University of Texas in the second round, making him the first linebacker taken off the board. Their next pick (also in the second round) landed safety Javon Bullard from Georgia in Green Bay. All three players fit perfectly into the Packers’ new defensive system.
Hiring Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator
Green Bay no longer has Joe Barry as its defensive coordinator. He was relieved of his duties following the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The defense had its moments but largely underperformed during his four-year tenure as defensive coordinator. His game plan and plays simply didn’t fit the players’ strengths.
The Packers’ players specialize in man coverage and putting pressure on the quarterback. Barry’s strategy was mainly zone coverage. That was a recipe for disaster. The new defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, came from Boston College. His specialty is man coverage and physicality at the line of scrimmage. If everyone gets on board, it could be a perfect combination between players and coach.
Related: The Green Bay Packers are in Sportsnaut’s NFL defense rankings
Green Bay Packers offense is running at full speed
Although quarterback Jordan Love’s season stats were really good overall. He threw 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and 4,159 yards, it wasn’t until the second half of the 2023 season that the Packers really hit their stride. From Week 11 through the end of the season, he was at his best. In the final eight games of the regular season, Love had 18 touchdowns with just one interception, which was the best touchdown-to-turnover ratio in the league during that time period.
Three of the young receivers had at least 550 yards. Dontavion Wicks caught 39 balls for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Romeo Doubs caught 59 balls for 674 yards and eight touchdowns, making him the team’s best player. Jayden Reed was the team’s best player with 64 and 793 yards, respectively. All three players are under 25, which brings us to the next reason on the list.
Green Bay Packers Youth Movement
The Packers entered the 2023 season as the youngest team in the league, with an average age of 25. They made history by not only becoming the youngest team in NFL history to make the playoffs, but also winning a playoff game when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. In some ways, they got even younger this past offseason.
They have only one starter over 30: linebacker Preston Smith. Everyone else is 28 or younger, and here are some of the notable ones. Quarterback Jordan Love is 25, running back Josh Jacobs is 26, newly signed safety Xavier McKinney is 24. This young team is just starting to wreak havoc.
Related: Find out where Jordan Love ranks among NFL quarterbacks
Competition in the NFC is weaker than in the past
The main reason we believe the Green Bay Packers can win the NFC this year is because of the weaker competition and question marks across the board. While there are teams that have improved in the offseason, like the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, football games aren’t won on paper just by the talent on the team. The Eagles started 10-1 last season before experiencing a major slump, losing five of their final six games to finish the season 11-6. They eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Wild Card round.
We’ll see what their offense looks like this season after signing former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. The only two teams that have done that are the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. They met in the NFC Championship Game last year and Green Bay played pretty well against both teams. Green Bay beat the Lions on Thanksgiving Day and tied the season series at one game apiece. They were one possession away from beating San Francisco in January.
