The Inexperienced Bay Packers are one of many handful of NFL franchises that has accomplished treasured little dropping for the reason that flip of the millennium. Even the last decade previous to Y2K, they skilled sustained success. The Packers appear to have a agency grasp on NFL crew constructing, together with crucial half — quarterback. For all of Jordan Love’s ups and downs in the course of the 2023 season, a Week 13 win towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Sunday Night time Soccer thrust the Packers into the ultimate NFC Playoff spot.
As dangerous because the Packers had performed going into Week 9 towards the Los Angeles Rams, their four-game dropping streak was not at the same time as dangerous as their longest one from the 2022 season. They defeated the Rams that day — who had been quarterbacked by backup Brett Rypien — 20-3. At that time of the season, any shine from Love’s Week 1 efficiency towards the Chicago Bears had lengthy since dulled.
The Packers misplaced to the Pittsburgh Steelers the subsequent week, however would go on to win their subsequent three video games. Throughout this stretch, Love has thrown for a complete of eight touchdowns, and no interceptions. He has additionally accomplished at least 67 % of his passes and averaged a minimum of 7.4 yards per try. The Packers by no means trailed throughout Sunday’s 27-19 victory towards the 8-3 Chiefs. It was a efficiency that proved for the entire criticism of Inexperienced Bay’s roster constructing in the course of the finish of Aaron Rodgers’ time there, the franchise is among the greatest within the NFL at assembling expertise.
These remaining Mike McCarthy years in 2017 and 2018 had been stinkers for the Packers. The primary one was not his fault with Rodgers lacking 9 video games, however in 2018, they each needed to personal that funk. McCarthy didn’t even make it all over the Packers’ second consecutive under .500 end, and a number of other experiences had been revealed about dysfunction within the franchise.
Drafting Love in 2020 did the other of sooth Rodgers. Nonetheless, the Packers acquired two extra MVP seasons out of him that led to playoff apperances, however in need of the Tremendous Bowl, even with Davante Adams acting at a first-team All-Professional degree. Adams selected to not re-sign with the Packers in 2022, so that they started the method of overhauling their broad receiver corps by drafting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
The group confirmed promise late that season when the Packers gained 4 of their final 5 video games. They traded Rodgers in April 2023 and added Jayden Reed within the second spherical of the draft. After a win towards the Bears to open the season, Love struggled mightily in his first 12 months as a starter whereas the Packers began piling up losses.
In Week 13 towards the Chiefs, Love confirmed out towards the most effective groups within the league — fourth in Defensive DVOA — proving that he and his move catchers are persevering with to enhance. Love threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns on 7.4 yards per try and no interceptions, with prime operating again Aaron Jones out with harm. Love made essential completions off of his backfoot that seemed fairly Mahomesian.
Together with the offense starting to click on, the Packers are enjoying a few of their greatest protection in years. They’ve allowed 24 factors or much less in eight consecutive video games — their longest such streak for the reason that Tremendous Bowl Championship season of 2010. Rashan Gary leads the assault with 9 sacks on the season. He was a first-round choose of the Packers in 2019. They chose Luka Van Ness within the first spherical of the 2023 draft and each gamers sacked Mahomes on Sunday night time. Going into the sport, Inexperienced Bay had the eighth highest QB strain share within the NFL.
It has been 31 years since Brett Favre first began a recreation for the Packers they usually seem effectively on their technique to remaining a aggressive NFL franchise whereas solely deliberately beginning three totally different quarterbacks for the reason that Chicago Bulls gained their second NBA Championship.
The NFL isn’t designed for many years of dominance. At greatest, most groups often nudge into the playoff image earlier than getting shoved out of it. Within the final two years, the Packers have gotten rid of a constant 100-catch and 10-touchdown broad receiver, in addition to the NFL MVP of 2020 and 2021.
Presently, they’re the NFL’s youngest crew and simply defeated the defending Tremendous Bowl Champions in a prime-time telecast, placing themselves in nice playoff positions. The Packers stay a mannequin of NFL consistency.
