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ESPN's latest NFL team rankings prove Packers are closer than fans may realize

See, Davante Adams/Maxx Crosby/Myles Garrett?
Cameron Ellis
Cameron Ellis

Lombardi Ave

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles / Al Bello/GettyImages

I have some bad news: ESPN said something nice about the Packers.

Now, with ESPN on Green Bay's side, there's one less major sports outlet to be arbitrarily mad at because the Packers are still having trouble "winning" "playoff" "games." Their general lack of recent postseason success has become a real neurosis for Packers fans, and you don't even need to look outside the division to find a team that may have watched their best chance at a Super Bowl title quickly pass them by.

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And if this blog doesn't quite have you convinced about just how close the Packers are to breaking through and finding postseason success, let ESPN's Senior NFL Writer Jeremy Fowler convince you. Fowler took a look at where all 32 teams across the league are in regards to their title window, and landed on the Packers being the first team not considered a true Super Bowl contender. It's not a lot to go off, but it's better than where the Vikings landed. Here's the rationale:


ESPN seems to think that the Packers are one move away from being Super Bowl contenders

"Known for drafting and developing most of the roster, the Packers would be wise to comb the trade or free agency market for bigger swings. This is a good but not great team that can vault into the elite with a few more players. Why not call the Raiders on Maxx Crosby? He would change the complexion of the team's defense. And when Josh Jacobs is publicly questioning the Packers' need for a No. 1 receiver, that's probably a cue to at least look into it. The Packers sport one of the league's youngest rosters, which bodes well for the future. Re-signing center Josh Myers is a sensible move."

All fair points, Jeremy. Re-signing Josh Myers is a sensible move. Why shouldn't they call the Raiders on Maxx Crosby? At this point, every single person on the planet thinks that the Packers are one move away from figuring out how to beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, so I imagine Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the Packers' front office feels the same way. But maybe two moves wouldn't hurt either. Or even three! Now that ESPN is on the Packers' side (kinda), there's no telling how far they can go.

Cameron Ellis

Cameron Ellis

Cam Ellis is an NFL staff writer for FanSided, specializing in covering all 32 teams across the league, including the Las Vegas Raiders. He has a decade of experience in sports media, having spent time at 680 The Score in Chicago, ABC Denver, and NBC Sports Washington. Since 2014 his work has been featured on NBC Sports Chicago, The Ralphie Report, and various sites across Minute Media and FanSided. In his career he has covered the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, free agency, and is a regular part of gameday coverage.