After a surprising 2023 campaign, Green Bay displayed legitimate ambitions in 2024. Ambitions based on promises made, a young workforce and four-star recruitment.
The playoffs objective is achieved, but what to do about it? The Packers have raised many questions about their ability to be more than just walk-ons. Can they really aim for more?
How did they get there?
Building on the momentum of a successful end to the 2023 season and ambitious recruitment, the Packers approached the season as an established outsider in the NFC. Despite an injury to Jordan Love in the opening match and a two-game absence, the team reassured. Thanks to a schedule within their reach, they quickly gained good momentum, notably showing great progress in defense.
However, Green Bay displays a huge thorn in its side. A catastrophic record in the division of 1-5, which could have been 0-6 without a miraculous counter on a winning field goal attempt by the Bears in week 9. They nevertheless won their place in the playoffs without ever doubting and several matches before the end of the regular season.
The key player: Josh Jacobs (RB)
Major recruit for the Packers during the offseason, Josh Jacobs did not disappoint. A true engine of the attack, the runner has a record of more than 1,600 cumulative yards and 16 touchdowns scored. In addition to being a real workhorse performing carries, Jacobs has also demonstrated this season an important contribution in the passing game. His ability to move the chains, exhaust defenses and make goals in the red zone are the team's most valuable assets.
Why are they going to go through with it?
Given the current dynamics and adversity, the reasons are quite slim. However, the Packers proved in 2024 that they could defy the predictions. Already last qualified in their conference, they went to correct Dallas, winner of the NFC East on their home field. The workforce has several playmakers on both sides of the ball capable of changing a game.
The uncertainty of the offensive threat with a squad of targets without a real leader, makes the attack unpredictable and capable of exploiting all areas of the field. If Love is not yet up to the standards of his illustrious predecessors, he has proven that he can be a good pitcher, and a good leader.
Why won't they go?
Matt LaFleur may have a flattering record as head coach of Green Bay, but he is nonetheless still incapable of adjusting when the start of the match escapes him. He proved many times during the season, and particularly at the end of the game against the Bears, that he panicked under pressure. Bad in his management of the clock, he has all the difficulty in the world to apply a game plan to control the clock and keep control of the match. For no particular reason playcallingsometimes brilliant, becomes predictable, clueless and redundant. Faced with the big names in the playoffs, this kind of fault will not be forgiven. Starting with the Eagles on whom he already broke his teeth like this during the opening match of the season.
If Green Bay's defense has progressed under the leadership of Jeff Hafley, there are still major deficiencies which seem incompatible with a run to the Super Bowl. Firstly, the difficulty for pass rushers to put pressure on the opposing thrower. The leader in terms of sacks only has 7.5 units. The departure during the season of Preston Smith and the lack of progress of former 1st round Luka Van Ness weakens this sector. The aerial game displays decent statistics, but Green Bay suffers against the best receivers. The road to the NFC is paved with it. Without Alexander, the cornerback squad might be too soft to make the grade.
Despite an honorable record, the Packers lost all their games against the playoff teams, with the exception of the Rams. A difficulty facing big teams, which is anything but encouraging.
Injured players
Green Bay is far from having the busiest infirmary in these playoffs. However, the Packers have had to deal since mid-season with the absence of their star cornerback, Jaire Alexander. Hit in the knee, he must have surgery and will not play again until next season. Another starter who will not see the field, Christian Watson tore his knee ligaments during the last match of the season against Chicago. The receiver, a deep threat, will inevitably be missed by Jordan Love with whom he began to create a real connection in recent weeks.
Prognosis
The team is not devoid of talent, far from it. But the adversity in the NFC to find a way really seems too great and the Packers have not shown anything reassuring against the big teams. Matt LaFleur's coaching in important moments remains too uncertain and approximate. With the youngest squad in the NFL, Green Bay must continue to learn and look to the future to hope to shine.
Wild Card Defeat
