Five Keys to the Packers' 2009 Success

Senior Writer Written on July 01, 2009

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 09: Adrian Peterson #29 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled after a carry by linebacker safety Atari Bigby #20 of the Green Bay Packers on November 9, 2008 at the Metrodome in Mineapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 28-27. (Photo

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Note: I originally wrote this article for SportsScribes. Please visit the Packers blog at http://www.sportsscribes.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=81&Itemid=170

On ESPN's NFL Live Monday, June 29, 2009, both analysts (Cris Carter and James Hasty) said Green Bay was the non-playoff team from 2008 most likely to make the playoffs in 2009. There are few times a 6-10 team can enter the next season as a team that is widely considered a contender to not only make the playoffs, but win their division.

But the Packers outplayed their division rivals head-to-head, going no worse than 1-1 against any team and outscoring all three. They also have the history of dominating their division, winning seven of the last 14 titles.

Plus, with the NFL’s parity, it is not unheard of, either. Last season was the first in the short history of the NFC South that the last-place team did not win the division the next year (other than the first season of the division, with no incumbent last-place team).

However, all three other teams in the NFC North have improved in the offseason. Therefore, the Packers need some things to fall in place to make the playoffs; here are the top five keys to the Packers returning to the postseason:

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Five Keys to the Packers' 2009 Success

MJ Kasprzak

Five Keys to the Packers' 2009 Success

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