The Green Bay Packers entered Week 3 with the look of a true Super Bowl contender.
They were largely expected to move to 3-0 as they faced the struggling Cleveland Browns, who averaged just 16.5 points per game over their first two games -- both of which they lost. The Packers beat themselves, however, as a series of late-game mistakes allowed the Browns to score 13 unanswered points and win the game with a field goal as time expired.
While the loss was certainly ugly, Cleveland's defense is among the best units in the NFL. Furthermore, the Packers have a stretch of very winnable games coming up. Despite losing to one of the lowest-ranked teams in the NFL, Green Bay hardly slipped in the latest power rankings.
Packers suffer minor slide in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings entering Week 4
Despite the brutal loss, Bleacher Report's NFL Staff ranked the Packers sixth in their latest power rankings. Kris Knox discussed the ranking, writing:
"Yes, injuries along the offensive line made things incredibly difficult for Jordan Love and the Packers offense, but Green Bay still should have moved to 3-0. A late, ill-advised interception by Love and a blocked go-ahead field goal let Cleveland back in the game. The good news is that Green Bay isn't going to face a defensive front as disruptive as Cleveland's every week. The bad news is that the Zach Tom and Aaron Banks injuries loom large."
The Packers simply must be better going forward, particularly on offense. Their loss to the Browns, however, should be good for the team in the long run, if they are able to learn from what went wrong.
Furthermore, Green Bay has a relatively easy stretch of games coming up. They will face the Dallas Cowboys without CeeDee Lamb before a Week 5 bye, which is followed by matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals without Joe Burrow and the Arizona Cardinals without James Conner.
The Packers will match up against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 before facing the Carolina Panthers. Their next game against a team considered to be a true contender won't come until Week 10, when they face the Philadelphia Eagles.
Green Bay didn't take too much of a hit in the latest power rankings, but it must bounce back on Sunday.