Green Bay Packers 2020 season preview: End of Aaron Rodgers’ tenure drawing near?
The Green Bay Packers are ranked No. 15 in ESPN’s Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we’ll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Packers heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
It’s been the lingering question ever since the NFC Championship Game, when the 49ers basically told the Packers what they were going to do — they ran it 42 times and threw just eight passes — and the Packers still couldn’t stop it. Nevertheless, GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t overhaul the defensive front seven. Yes, they will have two new starting inside linebackers, including veteran Christian Kirksey. Also, last year’s first-round pick Rashan Gary should be more game-ready after barely playing as a rookie — Rob Demovsky
The Packers added exactly one noteworthy receiver in the offseason, signing veteran free agent Devin Funchess, and he took the COVID-19 opt-out. Even after signing Funchess, there were calls for Gutekunst to take a receiver high in the draft, but he didn’t take one at all. Instead, Gutekunst took an heir apparent quarterback in the first round and an heir apparent running back in the second before finally taking a pass-catcher, tight end Josiah Deguara, in the third. — Demovsky
Overall ranking: 15
Offensive ranking: 8
Defensive ranking: 24
Special teams ranking: 31
Total wins: 8.3
NFC North title chances: 31.2%
Chances to make playoffs: 47.8%
Super Bowl chances: 1.6%
2021 draft pick: No. 18
FPI’s strength of schedule rank: 22
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Toughest stretch: Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady and Deshaun Watson in consecutive games from Sept. 27-Oct. 25. Last year, though, their toughest game looked it would be in Kansas City and they avoided having to play Patrick Mahomes while he recovered from his knee injury, so you never know.
Over or under 8.3 wins? They got so many breaks last season — from almost no major injuries to the schedule falling their way — that 13 wins once again might have been a reach even with major roster upgrades. But to see them fall all the way to 8-8? That seems like a stretch. Take the over. –Demovsky
He might not be willing to say that the Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love will light a fire under him, but there are those who know him who think it will — or that it already has. Rodgers was especially sharp in the abbreviated training camp this summer and will be out to prove his unimpressive numbers from last season (26 touchdowns, four interceptions and one of the lowest passer ratings of his career) were simply a product of changing to a new offensive system and not a decline in talent given his age (36) — Demovsky
A lack of offseason additions by Green Bay at the wide receiver position has Lazard set up well for a bigger role in 2020. Undrafted back in 2018, Lazard emerged as an offensive regular in Week 6 last season and went on to post a 35-477-3 receiving line. Lazard might be one of the league’s least inspiring No. 2 wideouts, but this game is all about opportunity, and that’s exactly what he’ll have if he locks down an every-down gig opposite Davante Adams. — Mike Clay
ADP for the top players:
Aaron Jones, RB: 16.4
Davante Adams, WR: 17.0
Aaron Rodgers, QB: 101.6
Allen Lazard, WR: 166.6
AJ Dillon, RB: 169.4
Super Bowl odds: 16-1 (opened 16-1)
Over/under: 9
Playoff odds: Yes -135, No +115
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The Packers blew past their projected win total (9), going 13-3 (10-6 ATS) and reaching the conference title game, where they fell to the 49ers. Despite those 13 wins, their over/under this season is again set at nine. Ten of their games went under the total last season. The Packers went 8-1 last season in one-score games and outscored opponents by just 63 points. — ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
No. 23: Aaron Rodgers
No. 33: Davante Adams
No. 34: David Bakhtiari
No. 63: Aaron Jones
Demovsky: Rodgers says he’s in a better place after unique offseason
Demovsky: More to Packers RB AJ Dillon than just his massive legs
Fowler: Jaire Alexander among 2020’s most underrated players