Without a doubt, Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. In fact, you could argue that Rodgers is second only to New England Patriots signal-caller and four-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Rodgers almost single-handedly carried the Packers to the playoffs last season but Green Bay fell agonisingly short against the Arizona Cardinals as their Super Bowl aspirations collapsed.
“Aaron Rodgers” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mike Morbeck
This year, the Packers will have the bit between their teeth and it would take a brave man to back against Mike McCarthy’s men. Green Bay are desperate to get their hands back on the NFC North title after missing out to arch-rivals Minnesota Vikings last season and the Packers will stand a much better chance based on schedule alone. After slipping up and finishing second, Green Bay have a slight advantage over Mike Zimmer’s side and clashes with the NFC East and AFC South (arguably two of the worst divisions in football) will help their cause as they look to finish as one of the top two seeds in the NFC.
And while Rodgers can win matches almost on his own, Eddie Lacy’s return to form will seriously help the Packers in their pursuit of a fifth Super Bowl title. The Green Bay running-back piled the weight on last season but is now looking much leaner ahead of what could be a defining year for the former Alabama star.
“Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mike Morbeck
On his day, Lacy is virtually unstoppable and his unique blend of strength and speed makes him a serious weapon in the Packers offense. And if Lacy is able to get his ‘north-south’ running style going, opposing sides will have to stack the box – leaving space for Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and of course, Jordy Nelson on the outside.
Nelson missed the entire 2015 campaign and Rodgers will relish having his number one target back in the side. To put Nelson’s contributions and impact into perspective, the Green Bay number 87 recorded 98 receptions for 1,519 yards – as well as 13 touchdowns during the 2014 season. If nothing else, he will give Rodgers a potent threat on the outside and could take attention away from Cobb, Adams and Ty Montgomery.
“Jordy Nelson, James Jones” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mike Morbeck
At the time of writing, the Packers are priced at 5/1 in the early NFC Championship odds and that MUST be Green Bay’s main priority this season. From there, they will fancy their chances against the AFC’s top sides – including the New England Patriots and defending Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos.
Of course, it’s not all about offense. The Packers defence will need to perform well for Green Bay to reach the latter stages of the playoffs. Mike McCarthy’s defensive unit really stepped up to the plate last year and they should improve again after a decent free agency and NFL draft. There’s an old adage in sport: defense wins championships. And while that has been true for many years, that could all change in 2016. If the Packers offense exceeds expectations, Green Bay fans may be changing it to Rodgers win championships.