Packers projected to miss out on playoffs in 2020 season

Will the Green Bay Packers miss out on the playoffs?

The Packers won 13 games in 2019, eight of which were by a touchdown or less. Predicting some regression isn’t surprising, but could the Packers fall far enough to not even make the postseason?

ESPN’s Mike Clay has projected the 2020 regular-season standings and win-loss records for each team. According to his projections, the Packers will finish in second place of the NFC North with a 9-7 record, losing on a tiebreaker to the Minnesota Vikings, who regain the division crown with the same record.

The Detroit Lions take a big step up, going 8-8 and finishing third, while the Chicago Bears take another step back with a division-worst 6-10 record.

As a result, Green Bay fails to earn a wild-card berth and misses out on the playoffs completely. And let’s not forget that there will be three wild-cards in each conference this season. Clay has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles earning wild-card spots with the Packers finishing with the eighth seed.

While it’s fair to predict the Packers won’t win 13 games based on their win percentage in close games last season and their offseason work, I have a hard time seeing them losing seven games.

Defensively, Green Bay was inconsistent last season. Strong against the pass but there were concerns against the run. Offensively, again there was some inconsistency, but the Packers have elite talent at quarterback, left tackle, running back, and wide receiver. Few teams can compete with Green Bay’s QB-LT-RB-WR combination of Aaron Rodgers, David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams.

Entering year two in Matt LaFleur’s system should help. Although adding another wide receiver certainly wouldn’t hurt at this point.

How many wins do you think Green Bay will finish on this season? Is 9-7 about right, too low, or too high?