SI’s Bold (And Absurd?) Packers Prediction for 2023

Here’s a 2023 prediction for every team in the NFL, including a mind-blowing one for the Green Bay Packers.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Feb 13, 2023 4:14 PM EST

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With the 2022 NFL season officially complete following the Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, it’s time to turn the page to 2023.

Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr set the table for next season with a prediction for each of the 32 teams. His prediction for the Green Bay Packers seems almost impossible to believe.

The Packers, Orr said, will finish the 2023 season ranked No. 1 in total defense.

“I think the talent is certainly there, and some offensive tweaks this offseason will ensure that a mauling run game, the ultimate compliment to a wary defense, is functioning at a high level,” Orr wrote. “Last year, we felt the same way given Green Bay’s wealth of talent. This year, the rubber finally meets the road after the Packers were humbled in a significant way.”

Accomplishing that will be much easier said than done.

On the defensive line, Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry, who combined to play almost 1,200 snaps in 2022, are scheduled to be free agents.

At outside linebacker, depth must be found with Rashan Gary coming off a torn ACL.

At inside linebacker, De’Vondre Campbell must return to something close to All-Pro form and Quay Walker needs second-year maturity.

At cornerback, Eric Stokes needs to return to his freshman form after a sophomore slump and season-ending injury.

At safety, steady veteran Adrian Amos and impact backup Rudy Ford are scheduled to be free agents.

And that’s before addressing defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who will be back for a third season despite his group’s underachieving performance in 2022.

The defense fell well short of expectations – not only outside expectations but their own – by finishing 17th in points allowed and 17th in total defense. Even those mediocre numbers were masked by a ball-control offense. On a per-play basis, the Packers were 28th against the run and 28th against the pass.

Coach Matt LaFleur retained Barry thanks to a strong finishing stretch in which the Packers didn’t allow more than 20 points in any of the final five games.

“Although it wasn’t always pretty, I did think we started to improve as the year went on, and I thought we saw more of an identity,” LaFleur explained. “Certainly, I thought [against the Lions in Week 18] we played well enough to win on the defensive side of the ball. Obviously, gave up the one big play and then the drive in the fourth quarter where they took the lead, where you’d like to be better, but I thought there was plenty of opportunities out there for us as a team to not be put in that situation.”

What about Aaron Rodgers’ future? Which team will win the NFC North? And what bold move could make the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs even better?

Check out Orr’s other 31 predictions.