SI’s Bold Predictions: Playoff Packers?

Following an offseason of dramatic change, not much is expected of the Green Bay Packers entering the 2023 NFL season. The team at SI, on the other hand …

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Sep 6, 2023 11:32 AM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Coming off a losing season and with a franchise-shifting change at quarterback, not much is expected of the Green Bay Packers entering the 2023 NFL season.

Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But in 2008, his first year as the team’s starting quarterback, the Packers went 6-10 after going 13-3 and reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2007 with Brett Favre. Is it really possible for Jordan Love to lift a team that finished 8-9 with Rodgers in 2022 to the playoffs in 2023?

The general opinion is no. The Packers have the ninth-longest playoff odds in the NFC at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their over/under win total is just 7.5.

The opinion among Sports Illustrated’s team of national writers and editors is different. In its big season predictions preview, six of the 10 had the Packers qualifying for the playoffs.

Senior writer Michael Rosenberg had the boldest take. Rodgers will play to an MVP level in leading the Jets to the AFC East title, but the Love-led Packers will advance further in the playoffs before losing to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Andrew Brandt, the former Packers executive and SI’s business of football columnist, isn’t buying the hype surrounding the Detroit Lions and also had the Packers reaching the NFC title game.

Managing editor John Pluym wasn’t quite so bullish but he did have the Packers reaching the playoffs.

“Everyone is paying a lot of attention to Jordan Love, and rightfully so,” Pluym said. “But I really love that Packer defense. It's going to keep Green Bay in a lot of games. Jaire Alexander is one of the top three corners in football, Kenny Clark is a load to handle on the defensive line, and De'Vondre Campbell and Rashan Gary are two of the best linebackers around. This group isn't going to give up a lot of points, which should take a lot of pressure off Love and the offense.”

For the staff’s selection of Super Bowl winners, MVPs and the like, click here for the full story.