2018 NFL Power Rankings: Brandin Cooks, Ndamukong Suh puts Rams on top

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 10: Brandin Cooks
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 10: Brandin Cooks /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

5. Green Bay Packers

Some football fans will claim the Green Bay Packers don’t deserve to be this high on the list when seeing how much they struggled last year after missing out on the playoffs, but also keep in mind that most likely wouldn’t have been the case if Aaron Rodgers were healthy all season. As if losing Rogers for part of the season due to a broken collarbone wasn’t already frustrating enough, the Packers learned the hard way how much an offense can struggle without a reliable backup since Brett Hundley was clearly far from the answer.

Most quarterbacks would love to have an opportunity to play in a talented offense like Green Bay has, but for some reason Hundley just couldn’t figure out a way to be successful when his team needed him the most. At least with a full offseason to recover, there’s every reason to believe that Rodgers will return to his normal MVP ways under center to make sure the Packers return to the playoffs in 2018, even if the Vikings provide some intense competition.

The loss of Nelson will certainly take some time to adjust to, but at least Rodgers should benefit from having one of the league’s top pass-catching tight ends to work with in Jimmy Graham. When looking at the history of Rodgers playing with a chip on his shoulder, opposing defenses better be ready for the Packers quarterback motivated to get his team back on track.