Green Bay Packers: Ranking NFC North opponents for 2018
By Hunter Noll
The NFC North is an intriguing division. Each team can be considered a threat to the Green Bay Packers. How do they truly stack up against the team?
The Green Bay Packers finished last season 7-9. Despite that poor record, they’re in fantastic shape to compete in 2018. The main reason for this is the return of Aaron Rodgers. If the quarterback is healthy, the Packers immediately jump up the rankings and are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.
They have added Byron Bell to beef up their offensive line. This should give Rodgers some much needed extra protection.
The addition of Jimmy Graham could do wonders for the offense, as Davante Adams leads a solid group of receivers. Although the running back position is a bit of a wildcard, there’s potential for them to produce. Ty Montgomery and Aaron Jones should play off each other nicely.
On defense, a beefed up (but young) secondary might have some growing pains. Other than that though, it’s hard to argue they haven’t improved at the position. The defensive line added a veteran in Muhammad Wilkerson while all the biggest pieces of the linebacker corps are returning.
Overall, the Packers still don’t have the most talented roster in the NFL. I’m also not sold on Mike McCarthy. He’s 131-78-1 as the head coach of Green Bay and 10-8 in the playoffs. Both are fantastic, but with no superstar quarterback to bail him out, he tends to get out-coached.
Without Rodgers, they’re a fringe .500 team. The quarterback has proven that’s more than enough for him though, and could propel this team to 11+ wins.
Grade: B+
And now for the rest of the division.