Green Bay Packers: 5 Biggest surprises of 2019 regular season
By Joe Kipp
Not many expected the Green Bay Packers to have the type of season they had in 2019. What were the biggest surprises for the Pack?
It’s been a wild ride for the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Just one year removed from firing their former head coach before the season ended last December, the Packers currently stand at 13-3 with a first-round bye in the playoffs. It’s safe to say the Packers as a whole have been one of the most surprising successes in the NFL this season, even to the most optimistic outsider.
First-year coach Matt LaFleur has undoubtedly been a major reason for Green Bay’s impressive turnaround. Coming off a season in which the team won just six games, LaFleur guided the team to 13 wins in his debut season. The Packers also earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.
Meanwhile, the Packers defense has been incredible, as well. The offseason free agent additions of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith have proven to be wise investments. The two Smiths combined for 148 quarterback pressures and 87 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), along with 25.5 sacks and 60 quarterback hits during the regular season.
With the regular season over, Green Bay will face the highest seed remaining after the Wild Card Round, which includes one of the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks. Regardless of which team the Packers play, or the result that ensues thereafter, the 2019 season can be considered a great success for Green Bay.
The Packers had a few surprises that led to their success in 2019. Here are the five biggest surprises for Green Bay during the 2019 regular season.