Packers fans will enjoy CBS Sports’ Week 1 power rankings.
Just days away from the Green Bay Packers‘ opener on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, analysts are making their predictions for the new season and ranking each team.
Despite making it to the NFC Championship Game a year ago and winning 13 games in the regular season, the Packers seem to enter 2020 with low expectations.
One analyst who does believe the Packers will be just as strong this season is Pete Prisco of CBS Sports. Prisco has released his Week 1 power rankings, and surprisingly, the Packers are second behind only the defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Prisco wrote:
"“Aaron Rodgers will be so much better in his second year in Matt LaFleur’s system. The biggest issue is how much they can improve stopping the run.”"
While it’s surprising to see the Packers ranked quite as high as they are, it’s understandable why there is confidence in this team.
Green Bay won 14 games last season, playoffs included. At the key positions, this team has some of the best players in the league.
Quarterback? Look no further than Aaron Rodgers, a two-time MVP. Tackle? How about four-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari? Running back? NFL rushing touchdowns leader in 2019, Aaron Jones. Wide receiver? Pro Bowler Davante Adams, the only receiver with 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns since the start of 2016.
The same goes for the defense. Up front, the Packers have two Pro Bowlers in Kenny Clark and Za’Darius Smith. Smith, along with Preston Smith, combined for more sacks than any other NFL duo in 2019.
In the secondary, the Packers have two players — Jaire Alexander and Darnell Savage — who were first-round picks and made the PFWA All-Rookie Team within the past two seasons.
And as Prisco writes, entering year two in this offense will make a huge difference. Not enough people are talking about that. With Rodgers more comfortable in this system, expect big things from this offense in 2020.
Are they the second-best team in the league? I’m not so sure, but I like Prisco’s confidence.