The Green Bay Packers have qualified for the NFL playoffs each of the last three seasons. However, after what\u2019s been a lackluster offseason, that streak could be in jeopardy.<\/p>\n
In new power rankings<\/a> published on Tuesday, Sports Illustrated\u2019s Conor Orr put the Packers way down at No. 17.<\/p>\n \u201cReuniting Jonathan Gannon with DT Javon Hargrave is one of the better pairings of new coordinators with familiar free agents,\u201d Orr wrote, \u201cgiven that it stops the bleeding for Green Bay on two fronts: one, it adds some much-needed depth to the Packers\u2019 defensive line, and two, it gives Gannon a leg up in replacing the talented Jeff Hafley.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I think it\u2019s enough right now for me to consider the Packers an NFC North favorite? No.\u201d<\/p>\n That top spot in the NFC North belongs to the Chicago Bears, who are the reigning division champions following a worst-to-first season.<\/p>\n The Bears are 10th in the rankings, with Orr loving what the \u201cone-two punch\u201d of safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush can do for a defense that forced a lot of turnovers but gave up a lot of yards last season.<\/p>\n The Lions and Vikings are right behind the Packers at 18th and 19th, respectively.<\/p>\n Detroit hasn\u2019t recovered from losing coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn and now has to replace the physicality lost on the offensive line and at running back.<\/p>\n Minnesota, on the other hand, could be on the upswing with the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray.<\/p>\n Or maybe not.<\/p>\n \u201cAssuming that Murray will now flourish in the Kevin O\u2019Connell offense is just as faulty as the assumption that J.J. McCarthy automatically would \u2013 in my opinion,\u201d Orr wrote. \u201cMurray is no doubt an upgrade over McCarthy, and perhaps with elevated QB play and the Brian Flores standard on defense, we\u2019re looking at a transformed roster. But is that too generous an assumption?\u201d<\/p>\n The Packers are eighth in the NFC in Orr\u2019s rankings. If that holds up, obviously, they would not make the playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Orr\u2019s not alone in his dour outlook for Green Bay. NFL.com\u2019s Eric Edholm as it at No. 15 in his rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cJordan Love has only earned a certain level of trust to date,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWith Green Bay coming off a gutting Wild Card Weekend loss at Chicago, questions still hover over this talented but flawed team.\u201d<\/p>\n At least the Packers would get in the playoffs, but only as the seventh seed \u2013 a familiar and unwelcome place in the postseason for the Matt LaFleur- and Love-led Packers.<\/p>\n Not everybody thinks the Packers are in a bit of trouble. Including the NFL.com rankings, they are eighth in our latest Consensus NFL Power Rankings<\/a>. They are as high as fifth, including by Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n \u201cEven amid the slew of roster changes, the Packers still maintain elite talent on both sides of the ball,\u201d PFF\u2019s Mason Cameron wrote. \u201cAfter posting the fourth-highest PFF overall grade among quarterbacks last season, Jordan Love gives Green Bay an exceptionally high floor on offense. Edge defender Micah Parsons also gives the defense a dominant force to shoulder the load.\u201d<\/p>\n Our Consensus NFL Power Rankings took six sets of national power rankings and one set of sportsbook odds and created one overpowered power ranking.<\/p>\n Here’s where you’ll find the Packers and the rest of the NFC North. \u2b07\ufe0fhttps:\/\/t.co\/IEwFZE7ccb<\/a><\/p>\n