If the offseason has left the Detroit Lions on the ropes, Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers must be ready to deliver the knockout blow.
Detroit, the reigning back-to-back NFC North champions, remains the team to beat in the division it has taken ownership of under Dan Campbell's leadership. But after missing two golden opportunities to cash in on a dominant regular season, storm clouds are gathering above Ford Field.
Campbell's squad took down everyone in its way en route to a 15-2 record last season, including an emphatic 6-0 performance inside the division, and they made sure to hammer home their dominance by embarrassing teams at any opportunity. But then the real games started, and the Washington Commanders handed the Lions a stunning divisional-round defeat in January.
It opened the floodgates.
Think the Lions' playoff loss was brutal? You ain't seen nothing yet. The reigning NFC North champions still boast an impressive roster, but they must overcome the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Johnson played an instrumental role in helping a Jared Goff-led offense average a league-best 33.2 points per game, while Glenn somehow held the defense together after losing key starter after key starter.
The early signs point to the challenges facing the Lions this season, and it's music to the Packers' ears.
It's not even training camp, but the Lions are clearly feeling the impact of Ben Johnson's departure
Beyond Johnson turning heel on the Lions by becoming the Chicago Bears' head coach, Detroit is missing star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to injury (although he should return in time for training camp) and the surprise retirement of star center Frank Ragnow.
There's still plenty of time to turn things around, but the offense is, quite predictably, struggling.
Campbell admitted that the Lions' offense has made a slow start compared to their defense, and how could it not? They have a rookie replacing an All-Pro at center, while the creative genius behind their offensive success is currently coaching Caleb Williams in Chicago.
It paints a different story to how the Packers' offense is simmering ahead of training camp.
Various reports suggest Jordan Love looks better than in any previous summer. Love is ready to launch his breakout season with arguably his best supporting cast to date. Again, there's the important "it's only minicamp" caveat, which is fair, but the early signs are encouraging.
Back in Detroit, Campbell's offensive unit still has far too much talent not to rank near the league's best, but regressing from unstoppable to just "very good" is absolutely in the cards, and it gives the Packers an opportunity.
They get the first crack at the Lions in Week 1, who may need to overcome some growing pains early in the season.
Even with Johnson, it'd be unrealistic to expect a 15-2 team with the No. 1 offense (by a mile) to soar to those heights again and replicate their success. But without him? The warning light is flickering ominously.
A potential Lions regression opens the door, but it's up to the Packers to close the gap and regain control of the NFC North. As storm clouds swirl in Detroit and weather warnings hint at a Super Bowl window being slammed shut, the sun is shining brightly on Lambeau Field.
It's up to Love and the Packers to take advantage.