Minnesota and Chicago aside, the Green Bay Packers currently pose the greatest challenge to the Lions in the NFC North division. Led by Jordan Love at quarterback and supported by defensive standouts like Rashan Gary and Xavier McKinney, the Packers have a genuine chance to overthrow the Lions as division champions in 2024. Here’s an overview of where the Packers stand as they head into the upcoming season:
Key Points:
- 2023 Performance: The Packers ended with a 9-8 record, splitting their games against the Lions.
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Head Coach: Matt LaFleur enters his sixth season with a solid record of 56-27.
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2023 Season Stats: The team ranked decently in points per game (PPG), yards per game (YPG), points allowed per game (PAPG), and yards allowed per game (YAPG).
Key Additions:
- Xavier McKinney (Free Agent Signing): McKinney brings significant experience and skill to the safety position, with impressive stats from his time with the Giants.
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Josh Jacobs (Free Agent Signing): Jacobs joins as a replacement for Aaron Jones and has a strong history of rushing for over 1,000 yards in multiple NFL seasons.
Key Departures:
- Notable departures include Aaron Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, David Bakhtiari, and others. However, the addition of McKinney is expected to compensate for some of these losses.
Draft Picks:
- The Packers focused on shoring up their offensive line and defense in the draft, notably selecting Jordan Morgan in the first round and Javon Bullard in the second round.
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While the overall draft performance wasn’t exceptional, the Packers addressed some key areas of need.
Outlook:
- With impactful players like Christian Watson and Quay Walker, the Packers are well-positioned to secure another playoff berth.
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If the team remains healthy and performs consistently, they could potentially challenge the Lions for the NFC North title in the upcoming season.
