The Green Bay Packers were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, especially in the final 10 games. After starting 2-5, Green Bay rattled off seven wins in their final 10 games to capture the seventh and final spot in the NFC Playoffs. Then they upset the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card in what was a 48-32 blowout victory that wasn’t even as close as the score might make it seem.
Green Bay even was in position to knock out the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, but a typical Joe Barry defensive meltdown in the final two minutes of the game prevented that from happening.
Despite the loss, the Packers’ 2023 season should be viewed as an astounding success. Jordan Love proved that he is the next franchise quarterback after putting up better numbers than either Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre did in their first seasons with Green Bay. The young skill players led by wide receiver Jayden Reed shattered team records for rookies as they grew and developed chemistry with Love.
Related: 3 Green Bay Packers 2023 Draft Picks Taken in 1st Round of Mock Re-Draft
Despite finishing just 9-8 in 2023, many believe that Green Bay is a team on the rise. In a recent ESPN predictions article for the 2024 season, three of their analysts picked the Packers to make it to Super Bowl LIX and one thinks they will actually win it.
NFL Analyst Believe the Green Bay Packers Will Win the Super Bowl Next Season
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
In the recent ESPN predictions article regarding the 2024 NFL season, analyst Matt Bowen picked the Packers to win Super Bowl LIX against the Cincinnati Bengals. He wrote:
“Packers over Bengals. A healthy quarterback Joe Burrow will put the Bengals back in the mix as one of the top teams in the AFC. It’s the Packers, however, who win the Super Bowl because of quarterback Jordan Love‘s difference-making ability and a change in defensive philosophy under new coordinator Jeff Hafley.”
As mentioned, Barry’s non-aggressive defensive scheme played a big part in Green Bay losing to San Francisco in the divisional round. Hafley is much more aggressive and will change the culture on defense.
It is also interesting that Love has gone from a serious question mark to widely regarded as a legitimate NFL quarterback. Bowen even names him as a difference maker who can lead his team to bringing home Green Bay’s first Lombardi Trophy in nearly 15 years.
2 NFL Analysts Pick the Green Bay Packers to Lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX
In addition to Bowen picking the Packers to win, two other NFL analysts at ESPN picked Green Bay to make it to the Super Bowl, but lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
One of them, Eric Moody. wrote:
“Mahomes is only 28 years old and imagine how much more dangerous Kansas City’s offense could be if it adds additional offensive playmakers this offseason. Meanwhile, Love and the Packers exceeded expectations, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders for the top spot in the NFC.”
The offense will only get better in 2024 with Love and his young pass catchers having a year of experience under their belt. Hafley should make the defense more effective, especially in late-game situations. If both of these things happen, Green Bay absolutely could come out on top of the NFC.
And they did beat the Chiefs this past year…
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