GREEN BAY PACKERS
2024 Record - 11-6-0
Head Coach - Matt LeFleur
2024 Offensive Rank - (5th overall) - 371 YPG; Passing - 224 YPG (12th), Rushing - 147 YPG (5th); SCORING - 27.1 PPG (8th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (5th overall) - 314 YPG; Passing - 215 YPG (13th), Rushing - 99 YPG (7th); SCORING - 19.9 (6th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Aaron Banks (OL), Nate Hobbs (DB), Mecole Hardman (WR), Isaiah Simmons (LB), Kristian Welch (LB)
Key Losses for 2025 - Josh Myers (OL), T.J. Slaton (DL), Eric Wilson (LB), Eric Stokes (DB), Corey Ballentine (DB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Jordan Love passed for 3,389 yards along with 25 touchdowns and eleven interceptions last season. The wide receivers are Jayden Reed (55 receptions, 857 yards, six TD), Romeo Doubs (46, 601, four TD), rookie Matthew Golden (Georgia) and eventually Christian Watson, who had 29 receptions for 620 yards and two scores last season and provides the team with a legitimate deep passing threat, but he is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the final game of the 2024 season and might not be ready when season starts. The tight ends are Tucker Kraft (50, 707, seven TD) and Luke Musgrave, who has missed much time due to various injuries in his first two years in the NFL. Running back Josh Jacobs leads the rushing attack, which was fifth overall last season. Jacobs ran for 1,329 yards (4.4 YPC) and scored 15 touchdowns. Emanuel Wilson is a perfect compliment in the backfield, having gone for 502 yards (4.9 YPC) and scoring four times last year.
DEFENSE - The Packers defense was solid against the run in 2024 and is led by Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary (7 1/2 QB sacks), Devonte Wyatt (five sacks), Kingsley Enagbare (4 1/2 sacks) and Lukas Van Ness up front. The linebackers are Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker (team leading 102 tackles) and Isaiah McDuffie, who had 94 tackles. The corners are Keisean Nixon (88 tackles) and Carrington Valentine, who had two interceptions last year. The safeties include Xavier McKinney, who had eight picks (2nd in the NFL), Evan Williams and Zayne Anderson. Green Bay had 45 sacks last year and also picked off 17 passes, which helped lead to a plus-12 in turnovers, which was third best in the league.
OUTLOOK - Once again in 2024, the Packers were a wild card playoff team and lost before making it to the NFC Championship Game. Head Coach Matt LaFleur would like to see the team go further should they make it back to the post-season. The offense scored 27 points per game a year ago, and went 5-6 in one-score games, in addition to a 2-3 finish that dropped them to third place in the NFC North. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings swept the Packers in division play and they split two games with the Chicago Bears. Winning division games goes a long way for better playoff seeding and if they want to be taken serious, the Packers must better control their fate in the division.
The Packers held opponents to just under 20 points per game and came up big with turnovers that helped them win some close games. However, they were just 2-5 in the regular season against playoff teams and then got bounced by Philadelphia in the wild card round. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball and Love, barring injury, has shown he is among the top quarterbacks in the NFC. Having a balanced offensive attack will be vital again in 2025 if the Packers expect to shine in January. The Packers can do better, but finishing games will be the key to a better season and possibly making a run to the Super Bowl.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Detroit
Week Two - vs. Washington
Week Three - at Cleveland
Week Four - at Dallas
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - vs. Cincinnati
Week Seven - at Arizona
Week Eight - at Pittsburgh
Week Nine - vs. Carolina
Week Ten - vs. Philadelphia
Week Eleven - at N.Y. Giants
Week Twelve - vs. Minnesota
Week Thirteen - at Detroit
Week Fourteen - vs. Chicago
Week Fifteen - at Denver
Week Sixteen - at Chicago
Week Seventeen - vs. Baltimore
Week Eighteen - at Minnesota
No comments:
Post a Comment