What We Learned About the 2024 Packers in Their Playoff Loss

The 2024 season is over for the Green Bay Packers. They had a strong start, going 11-4, but ended up losing their last three games, including a crucial playoff match against the Philadelphia Eagles. While the loss may not have taught us anything new, it did confirm several things about the team this season. Firstly, the Packers were good but not great. They won against playoff teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans, but they struggled against the Eagles, Vikings, and Lions, who all had 14 or more regular-season wins. Overall, the Packers were impressive against non-playoff teams but fell short against the best in the NFC.Secondly, the Packers' self-sabotage cost them a chance at greatness. They made too many mistakes, as seen in Sunday's game with four turnovers and eight penalties. This self-destructive pattern was a recurring issue throughout the season. On a positive note, the Packers' defense showed significant improvement under Jeff Hafley's first year as defensive coordinator. They ranked higher in various defensive categories, such as points per game and yards per play allowed. Even without key player Jaire Alexander for most of the season, the defense performed well against the Eagles. Lastly, injuries hampered the Packers' passing game. Quarterback Jordan Love dealt with injuries, and receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were also in and out of the lineup. This disruption led to a subpar performance from the passing game, which struggled to find consistency.