NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

49. . 6-9-1 record. . Green Bay Packers. 18. team

If it weren’t for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers would be in the very bottom tier of our NFL power rankings.

Rodgers keeps this group in the middle of the pack, which is essentially what he’s done for years now. Yet the end results of the last two seasons, one which included Rodgers’ lengthy shoulder injury, ended up making a scapegoat out of now-fired head coach Mike McCarthy.

Firing McCarthy was probably smart. But it’s going to be interesting to see how rookie head coach Matt LaFleur handles duties in what’s looking to be a turnaround year in Green Bay.

The Packers have their own issues, too. Despite numerous efforts to address the secondary over the years, this group is far from adequate. And the Packers need help in the pass-rush department, particularly with an aging and increasingly ineffective EDGE, Clay Matthews, hitting the free-agent market this offseason.

Perhaps Green Bay bounces back. Perhaps it doesn’t. 2019 will be an interesting year in the NFC North.