Green Bay Packers: 3 bold predictions for 2020 Playoffs
The Green Bay Packers have a bye week before kicking hosting a playoff game at Lambeau Field. Here are three bold predictions for the playoffs.
For the first time in three years, the Green Bay Packers made it to the postseason! And to everyone’s surprise, they won 13 of their 16 games and earned a first round bye (just barely). Although Green Bay’s opponent in the divisional round is unknown, they’re diligently preparing for the next two weeks.
Despite the Packers likely being underdogs no matter their opponent, they have a lot of confidence in their team. Their wins haven’t been pretty, and they’ve half-jokingly adopted the motto, “win ugly,” but they still deserve the success they’ve had this season.
In order for them to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, they’ll have to step their game up in multiple phases. Their defense will need to go from good to great and their offense from average to good. More specifically, I’m making these three bold predictions about Green Bay’s postseason run:
Special teams touchdown
Swervin’ Tyler Ervin has been a huge addition to the Packers. Before his arrival, Green Bay’s return game lacked any semblance of life and were on track to set an NFL record for fewest punt return yards a game.
Now? Well, Ervin has single-handily inject life into both the punt and kickoff return games. He had a 16 yard punt return and a 33 yard kick return against the Lions, a 45 yard kickoff return against the Bears, and an 18 yard punt return against Washington.
It’s only a matter of time until he breaks a bigger one. If he can do so, it would give the Packers a huge boost. Their offense has been largely inconsistent and goes through a lot of ups and downs in a game. A big return could provide just the jolt they need.
Aaron Rodgers continues to play average football
Aaron Rodgers has been average for a couple of years now. Some thought a switch in scheme and at head coach would provide a late-career spark, but that wasn’t the case this year. It was more of the same for the two-time MVP.
Don’t expect that to change as Green Bay plays against the best of the best. Rodgers is who he is at this point, and, barring any hot streak, he’ll continue to put up the mediocre numbers we’ve see from him throughout the year. The only hope is that he can get the ball to the Packers’ playmakers (Aaron Jones and Davante Adams) and let them go to work .
Next. Packers All-Decade Team. dark
Win one game away from Lambeau
There’s a good chance the Packers would have to leave the friendly confines of Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship game if they win their first contest in the Divisional round.
Even with a great record of 7-1 at home, the Packers weren’t bad on the road either, finishing with a 6-2 record. Obviously, the two blowouts in California stand out and they’ll likely be fighting demons if they return to that state.
Regardless, Green Bay will find a way to win at least one game away from Lambeau Field this postseason. What round that comes in is unclear at this point.