With this being Championship Weekend in the NFL, it got me thinking, what do the Packers have to do to get back to the championship game next year? What are their odds? The Green Bay Packers NFC Championship odds for 2023-24 NFL season aren’t as good as they have been in the past. So, what can the Packers do to increase their odds at making the NFC Championship game? What areas on the roster can be better? What can the coaches do differently?
Green Bay is currently ranked with the ninth best odds to win it all next season and in the NFC, they are ranked fourth. This leaves them behind the 49ers, Eagles, and Cowboys. This feels kind of high. The odds are probably only this high because of Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have stated many times that they believe their best chance at winning the Super Bowl is with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and apparently the odds makers agree. This can change in the coming months with Aaron Rodgers’ future with the team still up in the air.
The Packers seem like they have many changes on the horizon for this offseason. What kind of changes need to take place to help this team? This is how the Packers can get back to the NFC championship game and improve their odds:
Offense
On the offensive side of the ball, Green Bay needs to have better offensive line play. It doesn’t matter what offensive weapons are available if the offensive line can’t perform at a higher level. Does the quarterback have to play better? Yes, but the offensive line should get some of the blame if the quarterback is not getting enough time to throw. How about running the ball?
Yes, the Packers will need to run the ball more but if the offensive line can’t make enough holes, then the Packers will constantly find themselves in 3rd and long. This isn’t good. The Packers need to improve the offensive line.
If the Packers want to increase their odds at making the playoffs and making a deep run, then they will need to have Aaron Rodgers back. I’m not saying that this is the best option for the Packers’ future. But, as of right now, Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance at the Super Bowl than Jordan Love.
The Packers need more weapons. The Packers consistently lacked a middle of the field offensive threat for all of the 2022 season and this needs to change in 2023. The Packers need to improve at tight end and slot to help fix this. This can be accomplished through the draft (Michael Mayer-Notre Dame) and trade/free agency (DeAndre Hopkins).
Defense
The Packers defense underperformed this past season. If they had even met half the expectations put on them at the beginning of the season, then the Packers would have been the in playoffs for sure. The Packers defense needs to play better and that starts up front (yet again).
The defensive line needs improvement to make a run deep into the playoffs in 2023. The Packers have had problems stopping the run consistently since 2014 and nothing has changed. The run defense has to be better.
The Packers will have to upgrade their safeties. Adrian Amos seemed to have a big drop in performance this past season and Darnell Savage will either be traded or playing slot corner this upcoming season. So either way, the Packers will need to get help for the safety position.
Finally, on defense, the Packers need to improve pass rush. Part of the help will come with the return of Rashan Gary (although he may not be back for the start of the season) however, he can’t do it alone. Preston Smith has been played well but he has lost some explosiveness. The Packers will need to add edge help in the upcoming draft and free agency.
Coaching
The Packers have chosen to keep their coaching staff the same. So what needs to change with the coaching staff? The philosophy needs to change. Coach Matt LaFleur needs to run his offense. Not Aaron Rodgers’ offense, but LaFleur’s offense. I don’t think we have seen Coach LaFleur’s offense in the three years he has been with the Green Bay Packers.
On the defensive side of the ball, Joe Barry needs to have his defensive schemes designed specifically to who he has on defense. Jaire Alexander is a shutdown corner and needs to be treated as such. If he is playing off coverage, then that is a negative on defense. Play your players where they are best. Coach Barry should follow this philosophy.
Conclusion
The Packers have a lot of work to do to increase their odds at making the NFC Championship game next year. The offense, defense, and coaching all have to be better. The path to NFC Championship, and hopefully the Super Bowl, begins now.
Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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