It’s been a very turbulent start to the season for the Green Bay Packers, and not particularly through the team’s own choosing. The first game of the season made the Packers fly down to Brazil to face the ever-menacing Philadelphia Eagles. That led to a close loss and franchise quarterback Jordan Love getting injured.
This thrust Malik Willis under center to face the Indianapolis Colts – a team that put up a lot more fight against the highly-rated Houston Texans than most expected. Coming into the game, the trade to acquire Willis was criticized by many, but he ended up managing the offense to the franchise milestone win of 800 that leads all NFL teams. He followed that up with a win over the Titans in Tennessee with a stellar performance.
Given the rather positive performances that have kicked off the 2024 NFL season for the Packers, perhaps a run to the playoffs is on the cards from the crowded NFC North.
Interesting appeal in the odds
The Packers’ odds in the futures markets currently see the Packers at +130 to make the playoffs but -150 to not on ESPN Bet, which has become one of the go-to sources for how NFL teams rank in real-time. Of course, this means that a Packers fan could get the first bet reset offer and get a good return if Green Bay powers through the division.
However, there are two clear obstacles. In Chicago, it looks to be more of a slow burn and, with Love back at QB, the Packers should have enough to finish ahead of them. Then, there are the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. We all knew that the Lions would enter as one of the NFC’s top teams, but perhaps not the Vikings.
Going 3-0, the Vikings have been thoroughly impressive. Their wins over San Francisco 49ers and Houston truly laid down the gauntlet. Of course, they also brushed aside the New York Giants – part of whose home market ESPN Bet looks to be opening up to as it might soon launch in New York. Still, arguably, the Packers have outperformed the Lions to date.
Finding a way to win
The best teams find a way to win regardless of the circumstances. On paper, switching from Love to Willis is a substantial step down. Luckily, the Packers boast a very strong running back room, and clearly they knew that they’d be getting at least a strong game manager in the recently acquired quarterback.
In his one start for the Packers, you couldn’t knock Willis’ commitment to getting the win. Some would take center, seeing it as a shot at impressing and getting the top job. Instead, he kept it clean and tidy, throwing 14 times for 12 connections to go 122 yards through the air, didn’t record an interception, and secured a passing touchdown.
Running game carries the day
Then, there was the ground game. He was happy to put his body on the line to move the chains, even after his center slicked the ball up a bit before the snap. He made up 41 yards on six charges, but Josh Jacobs was naturally the focal point. His 32 carries went for 151 yards and were pivotal to getting Brayden Narveson in range.
Given the setbacks and scheduling, the Packers have exceeded expectations, while many are looking at the Lions’ struggles in the red zone as an ill omen for the rest of the campaign. On paper, the Lions are stronger, but this dynamic Packers offense and fairly tidy defense give reason for optimism, something further evidenced in the 16 point victory over the Titans in week three.
It’s still way too early to be making predictions for the postseason, but there are at least very positive signs for the Packers so far.