Packers in top 10 of latest NFL Spin Zone power rankings

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers come in at ninth in the latest NFL Spin Zone power rankings.

With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers are expected to return to playoff contention this season. As long as Rodgers is on the field, the Packers will be considered Super Bowl contenders.

But the Packers will need to prove they are one of the league’s elite this season. After watching the team last year without Rodgers, it was clear change was necessary.

Dan Parzych of NFL Spin Zone put together his post-mandatory minicamp power rankings this week. He has the Packers at No. 9. Here’s what Parzych wrote about the Packers:

"“Playing without Nelson may take some time to get used to, but at least Green Bay was able to help make up for his absence by signing Jimmy Graham. When seeing how competitive Rodgers is as a player, one can only imagine the motivation he’s going to be playing with after seeing how everything played out in 2017.”"

The Packers are the highest non-playoff team from 2017 in the rankings.

And for good reason. Rodgers alone makes Green Bay a serious contender for a Super Bowl. Now the team will be hoping their offseason additions will take them to the next level.

From Muhammad Wilkerson to Jaire Alexander and Tramon Williams, new general manager Brian Gutekunst has made a number of important moves on defense. That’s before we mention the coaching staff changes, including the hiring of new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

The NFC North won’t be an easy division to win this year, though. The Minnesota Vikings, who have won the division twice in the past three years, got stronger by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. Minnesota is at No. 4 in the power rankings.

Surprisingly, the Detroit Lions are all the way down at No. 23. The Lions have won nine games for two straight years, and were a playoff team in 2016. Matthew Stafford is a very good quarterback.

But it’s fair to say that the Lions need to take the next step and win a playoff game, especially as Stafford enters his prime.

The Chicago Bears are at No. 26. That’s a fair position, as they are a team loaded with potential, but one needing to prove it on the field. The Bears have had a great offseason, and if they play as well as many believe they can (myself included), they will soon be inside the top 15.

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It’s now a question of if the Bears can become regular playoff contenders.

Do you think the Packers are too high, too low at No. 9? Be sure to leave a comment below.