2021 Green Bay Packers: Make Up Your Mind Mr. Rodgers

The Packers are considered the favorite in the NFC North until someone knocks them off. If Aaron Rodgers returns, (and we are assuming he will), they have the pieces to make another run to the NFC title. They are balanced on offense, good enough on defense, and know how to beat the other teams in this division. Matt Lafleur has established himself as a capable coach despite his controversial move at the end of the NFC conference title game last year. Things look good at Lambeau Field.

On offense, Rodgers is coming off a year where he was as good as he has ever been. He threw for 4,299 yards with 48 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He shows no signs of slowing down. Aaron Jones gained over 1100 yards and added 9 TDs and they have adequate depth. The receiving corps is top-notch led by All-Pro Davante Adams with 115 catches for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns. Tight End Robert Tonyan added 52 catches and caught 9 touchdown passes, the most for a tight end in Packers’ history. And to cap everything off, the offensive line is the best in the division. Only injuries can slow this offense down.

Defensively, they are led by linebacker Za’Darius Smith who has 26 sacks since 2019. He is joined by Rashan Gray who recorded 5 sacks in 2020. The defensive line needs some upgrading but does include Kenny Clark who is a dominant nose tackle. Interestingly enough, they didn’t address this much in the offseason. The secondary is led by cornerback Jaire Alexander and they drafted Eric Stokes in the first-round. He could start right away. Safety Adrian Amos had a career year in 2020 and Darnell Savage had 4 INT’s in the last six games.

Schedule:

Must Wins: Detroit, Washington,Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, at Cincinnati, at Detroit

Toss-Up Games: at New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Seattle, LA Rams, at Chicago, at Arizona, at Minnesota

Probable Losses: at San Francisco, at Kansas City, at Baltimore

Summary in Two Sentences: If Rodgers is over his snit with management, the pieces are there for a dynamic offense again. They own the division until someone snatches it away from them.