Friday, August 11, 2023

Green Bay Packers - 2023 NFL Season Preview

GREEN BAY PACKERS                                                                                    

 

2022 Record - 8-9 

Head Coach - Matt LaFleur 

 

Offensive Rank - 17th (338 YPG); Scoring - 14th (21.8 PPG)

Defensive Rank - 17th (337 YPG); Scoring - 17th (21.8 PPG)

 

Jordan Love will be the Packers starting quarterback this season and he will backed up by rookie Sean Clifford (Penn State). The running back tandem of Aaron Jones (1,121 yards, 5.3 YPC and two touchdowns along with 59 receptions for 395 yards and five TD) and AJ Dillon (770, 4.1 YPC, seven TD) is back again in 2023 season. The wideouts will have new faces as three rookies are in camp along with Christian Watson (41 receptions, 611 yards, seven TD) and Romeo Doubs, who had 42 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. The rookies are Jayden Reed (Michigan State), Dontayvion Wicks (Virginia) and Grant DuBose (Charlotte). The tight ends are rookies as well as Luke Musgrave (Oregon State) and Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State) will take over after Robert Tonyan left in the off-season.  

The defense has Preston Smith (8 1/2 QB sacks) and Kenny Clark leading the front seven and top rookie draft pick Lukas Van Ness (Iowa) is looking to play along with linebackers Rashan Gary (six sacks), Quay Walker (team leading 121 tackles) and De'Vondre Campbell. Rookie Colby Wooden (Auburn) will look to help stuff the run. The defensive backs include Jaire Alexander (five interceptions) and Rasul Douglas (four picks) at the corners while Darnell Savage, Jr. and Rudy Ford are the safeties.

 

OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - The Packers missed the playoffs last year and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now with the New York Jets, leaving the duties to Jordan Love, who has played very little since being drafted three years ago. Head Coach Matt LaFleur will have a big challenge this season with so much player turnover on the roster. When Rodgers went to New York, two of Green Bay's wide receivers also went there and five rookies were drafted to replace them and the tight end spot.

The running game will likely be a big part of the offense again in 2023 as Jones and Dillon continue to pound the rock and that should help as Love becomes accustomed to his starting role and leading the passing game. Green Bay's defense is pretty solid and the secondary has two good cornerbacks that help slow down opposing passing games, but the pass rush needs to improve (only 34 sacks last season) if this team wants to win the NFC North. Stopping the run will be a priority in 2023 as Green Bay was 26th in the league in that area last season.

If things can jell quicker than expected with the new players, then the Packers could be back in the playoffs. The NFC North division is competitive and the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings should be right there and the Chicago Bears should do better this season as well. How well Love and the offense develops and the defense being consistent will tell the story this season in Green Bay.


 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Chicago 

Week Two - at Atlanta 

Week Three - vs. New Orleans 

Week Four - vs. Detroit 

Week Five - at Las Vegas 

Week Six - BYE 

Week Seven - at Denver 

Week Eight - vs. Minnesota 

Week Nine - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Ten - at Pittsburgh 

Week Eleven - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Twelve - at Detroit 

Week Thirteen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Fourteen - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Fifteen - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Sixteen - at Carolina 

Week Seventeen - at Minnesota 

Week Eighteen - vs. Chicago 

 


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