5 bold predictions for Green Bay Packers in 2020

Aaron Rodgers is running out of time to win another Super Bowl with the Packers. Can Green Bay secure another Lombardi Trophy this season?

The Packers made it to the NFC Championship game last season but their 37-20 loss to the 49ers showed just how far the team is away from legitimate Super Bowl contention. The team’s lack of activity during the offseason will make it difficult for Aaron Rodgers to get them to the promised land this year.

The team’s best hope for improvement is actually on the offensive side of the football. Matt LaFleur’s offense didn’t play to Rodgers’ strengths all that well in 2019. There’s a reason why Green Bay only put up 23.5 points per game. That’s a low total for a team with one of the best quarterbacks in football.

The defense was the strength of the team last year and should be in line to continue to produce at a high level. Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith arrived via free agency last year and formed a dominant pass rushing duo. That powered the Packers’ defense to a top 10 finish in the NFL standings.

If the Packers are going to progress in 2020 they will need quite a few things to go right. Hitting on several of the following five predictions would be a good place to start.

5. Jace Sternberger will catch 40 passes

The Packers don’t need to spend any time worrying about who will replace Jimmy Graham’s production from a season ago. Sternberger is ready to step right into the starting role at tight end.

The former Texas A&M star was limited to just six games in his rookie campaign after suffering an ankle injury in the team’s preseason finale. That, combined with Graham’s presence on the depth chart prevented him from really getting going. Look for him to emerge as a valuable weapon for Rodgers this season. 40 catches for 400 yards seems like a modest expectation for dynamic tight end.