Packers in top five of NFL Spin Zone power rankings
The Green Bay Packers are at No. 5 in the NFL Spin Zone power rankings ahead of the final preseason game.
The regular season is almost here, and the Green Bay Packers will once again be one of the top teams in the league. In the latest NFL Spin Zone power rankings, the Packers come in at No. 5.
Green Bay remains in fifth place despite losing for the first time in preseason last week against the Oakland Raiders.
Here’s what Dan Parzych of NFL Spin Zone had to say about the Packers:
"“In a way, it was kind of weird to watch the playoffs last January without Green Bay in it since they always seemed to be a lock for at least a Wild Card spot. Now that Rodgers is fully healthy, and will be extra rested as a result from not playing in the preseason as much, expect the Packers to bounce back in one of the strongest ways possible.”"
Last year proved — if anyone needed reminding — just how important Aaron Rodgers is to this team. Without him, Green Bay missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Fast forward to the 2018 season, and while Rodgers will be just as important to the team’s Super Bowl hopes, they can expect more from their defense this year.
Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, selected in the opening two rounds of April’s draft, have already shown their potential this summer. Jackson has been one of the stars of preseason. Alexander missed some time due to injury, but made an interception in last week’s game against the Raiders.
The addition of Muhammad Wilkerson in free agency and Oren Burks in the draft will help the defense get stronger. So will the hiring of Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator.
With a stronger defense, there will be less pressure on Rodgers and the Packers’ offense to put up a ton of points. Time will tell whether this defensive unit has improved on the past two years.
The key for this team is the return of Aaron Rodgers. He makes the Green Bay Packers not only playoff contenders, but challengers for the Super Bowl.
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It’s no surprise the Pack are high in the power rankings ahead of the preseason finale.