3 reasons why Packers are a lock for the playoffs in 2020
Three reasons why the Packers are playoff-locks in 2020.
The Green Bay Packers are the team to beat in the NFC North after winning the division with a game to spare last season.
The Packers will face competition from the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears this year. And the Detroit Lions? OK, maybe not the Lions.
It won’t be easy to retain the division title or to even make it as a wild-card given the strength of the NFC this year, but here are three reasons why the Packers will make the postseason.
3. Development of young players
The Packers were a 13-3 team last season but to take the next step, they’ll need some of their young players to step up.
Based on reports from training camp, that should be the expectation. Second-year edge rusher Rashan Gary will be a player to watch when the regular season begins.
Rookie inside linebacker Kamal Martin has also been a standout at training camp, which could lead to him earning a starting job. That would be quite the achievement for the Packers’ fifth-round pick so early in his career.
Now healthy, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has also been impressive at practice as he looks to become a key part of the offense as he was at the start of last season.
Development of the young players is key and if practice is any indication, we should expect to see exactly that from the Packers this season.
2. Second year in Matt LaFleur’s offense
More familiarity in Matt LaFleur’s scheme will make a huge difference for the offense this season. And it was noticeable even early on in training camp.
It’s not an understatement to say that the offense looks light years ahead of where they looked a season ago with new head coach Matt LaFleur. Those year two gains are real.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 15, 2020
Aaron Rodgers said that he feels more comfortable in the offense this summer, which is a great sign. Having a deeper understanding of LaFleur’s system will help build on last season. The offense was frustrating to watch at times, but many of those issues can be cleaned up. A big part of that will be familiarity in the scheme.
Many offenses make a jump in the second year of a system. LaFleur was part of that as the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and 2016.
Green Bay’s offense can also make a jump this year.
1. Aaron Rodgers is regaining his best form
To follow on from that, Rodgers has reportedly been sharp at practice, and the two-time MVP has found some help from a decade ago.
Aaron Rodgers acknowledged he's had a few good practices lately. He won't divulge details, but says he was watching some 2010 film, and he noticed something different between then and now. He's implemented that change the past couple days, thinks it made a big difference.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 24, 2020
Once the season starts, Rodgers won’t have to worry about questions regarding his future or about Jordan Love. He’ll be able to get out on the field and show why he’s still by far the best quarterback the Packers have and won’t be replaced any time soon.
With Rodgers more comfortable in the offense, we should see fewer mistakes from him and the wide receivers. When Rodgers got in a rhythm last season, he was still the same dominant passer we’ve seen for over a decade.
If Rodgers is back to his best, there will be no stopping the Packers in the NFC North this season.