The Detroit Lions and NFC North 2020 season preview

3rd places; Green Bay Packers

Finishing in an unfamiliar third place will be the Green Bay Packers. They did themselves no favors this offseason and it will hurt them this year.

Offense

The Packers offensive line could be solid and considering that the game plan seems to be to run the ball until Aaron Rodgers is gone, it had better be if they expect to be competitive.

The Packer receivers start and end with Devonte Adams. Tight end Mercedes Lewis was a pretty good player in his day, but he’s a shell of what he once was and injuries have been more frequent in recent seasons.

The backfield is what the Packers are building around and thank goodness they have plenty of talent to work with there. Aaron Jones is an outstanding runner and good receiver out of the backfield. When Jamaal Williams steps on the field the Packers don’t lose a thing. he’s another good runner who can also contribute to the passing game. Rookie A.J. Dillon gives the Pack more talent at the position, but with Jones and Williams will he find his way on the field?

Aaron Rodgers is not quite what he once was, but he is still very dangerous. The problem he is facing is that if opponents double-cover Adams he has pretty much no choice but to check down to one of his running backs. Despite the fact that the Packers seem to be working on forcing Rodgers out of Green Bay sooner or later, if he’s not on the field this is a last-place team.

Defense

The Packers defense does have some questions, but overall it’s still pretty good.

Kenny Clark anchors the defensive line from the nose-tackle position and is very good at what he does. But it’s the Smith’s, Za’Darius and Preston at outside linebacker that fuels the Packer pass-rush. They both played very well in their first season in Green Bay last year. The hope among Packer-backers is that they will be even better this year.

Considering the questions at defensive end and middle linebacker, Clark and the Smith’s will carry the front seven.

The Packer secondary is pretty solid. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Kevin King are solid. Alexander keeps getting better and King may be due for a big season of his own. Adrian Amos is still a very good safety and will be a key component of the secondary. His running mate Darnell Savage could still improve more, but overall this is a pretty solid unit.

Coaching

As Matt LaFleur enters his second season in Green Bay he will have a hard time following up the run to the NFC Championship game the Packers put together last year. An offseason of refusing to get more weapons for Rodgers to throw to while ignoring their front seven on defense will only hinder their chances to build upon last season’s success.