This season, the Green Bay Packers have essentially run away with the NFC North title and a spot in the playoffs.
Now, at 9-3, the team is looking forward to their path through the postseason and their chances at making the Super Bowl.
The Packers are led by a stout offensive attack.
They have one of the NFL’s best QB and receiver duos in Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.
Rodgers is once again having an MVP caliber season, being on pace to throw for more than 45 TDs.
That's 4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ career TD passes for @AaronRodgers12! 🙌
Rodgers is the fastest (193 games) to 400 in NFL history! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/lCrexThz8j
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 6, 2020
Any time a team has a QB of that level available to them, they look to be a threat in the playoffs.
Pair this with an offensive line that may have three Pro Bowl selections this season and the Packers prove to be a difficult matchup for any teams in the playoffs.
It begs the question though: How far can this Green Bay Packers team go in the playoffs?
To start, the best thing the team can do to set themselves up for a deep playoff run is earn the top seed in the NFC.
Winning Home Field Advantage
Currently, the Packers trail the New Orleans Saints (10-2) by a game.
They are well within striking range of the top spot.
Home field advantage, though it may not seem important, may be critical this year.
The Packers are trying to make a push to secure home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, which could be critical for a Super Bowl run. https://t.co/KqKmr1XDAH
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 4, 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic has either limited or prohibited the number of fans who can attend the game, it has made staying home much less stressful than traveling.
As we have seen this season, teams who are traveling have to go through a variety of precautions to prevent an outbreak on the team.
Pair this with the stress of a playoff game, and it may be a difficult task to win on the road.
It would also be far easier for a home team to prevent any outbreak by limiting players’ exposure.
For the Packers, this would be a big way to set themselves up for success.
On top of this, the Packers are familiar with the weather that comes at Lambeau Field.
In the playoffs, this could allow them to play in a comfortable environment while a visiting team is out of their element.
Any way you look at it, jumping past the Saints for the top overall seed would be big for the team’s playoff outlook.
Playing to Strengths
If the Packers want to have hope of winning games in the playoffs, they will have to rely on their offense.
This #Packers offense is special.
According to @PFF, they have the highest-graded players at the three most important positions on offense.
QB: Aaron Rodgers – 1st
WR: Davante Adams – 1st
LT: David Bakhtiari – 1st
Good luck defenses everywhere.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/xBz3BE6LkU
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) December 10, 2020
They lead the league in scoring per game, averaging 31.6 PPG, and are second in total yards per game with 396.6.
Their rushing attack is solid, being ranked ninth in rushing yards per game with 124.2.
The passing game, however, is where the team thrives.
They are ranked fifth in passing yards per game (272.4) and first in passing touchdowns per game with 3.
On the other hand, their defense is good, but it isn’t quite in the top tier of NFL teams.
They rank 11th in total yards allowed per game, giving up 339.2; this is far from bad.
However, they aren’t quite dominant defensively which may come back to haunt them in the postseason.
In the playoffs, games can end up being low scoring which wouldn’t favor the Packers.
If their potent offense gets stifled, they may have a difficult time of winning the game.
At the same time, they are a candidate to excel in the playoffs and run through a relatively weak NFC.
How Far Can They Go In The Playoffs?
If they play to their best potential, there is no reason the Packers can’t make it to another Super Bowl.
However, if they have a single off-game where their offense doesn’t produce, they will have to rely on a defense that gives up 24.9 points per game.
That would not be a recipe for success.
For now, the team needs to focus on earning home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
If they do that, they may help themselves reach their first Super Bowl since 2010.
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