The Ripple Effect – 5 2016 Packer Matchups That Have Changed Drastically: Part 2

Free agency once again changes the landscape of the 2016 season. The Jacksonville Jaguars can be considered one of the winners in free agency this year (whether or not it will pay off…different story) with the addition of Malik Jackson and Chris Ivory. Jackson got most of the press for his big contract, but the addition of Chris Ivory makes the Jacksonville offense look like it could really come into its own this year.

The Packers, historically, don’t play their best ball in Florida and Jacksonville is the destination for this matchup. While in the past, the Jags have been the bottom-dwellers of the league, there is every indication that this is a team on the rise and their activity in free agency only serves to endorse that expectation.

The Packers, on the other hand, will likely be relying once again on the draft class for any upgrade they can expect. Ted Thompson, in my opinion, is one of the best talent evaluators in the business and with my belief that the offense will be just fine, it is safe to say that the Packer should be capable of taking this game. But make no mistake about it, the matchup has changed now. The Jags gave Carolina all they could do in week one of 2015 and the Packers had better take note. With the addition of Malik Jackson, guys by the name of Posluszny, Odrick, and Skuta (who is expected to play more of a role in the pass rush moving forward) can only be made better.

The Jags missed on the acquisition of Olivier Vernon but only because they weren’t willing to guarantee like 55 million dollars to the guy. I think Vernon got more than he is worth but we shall see.

At any rate, the Packers’ matchup with the Jags got a lot more interesting last week. Can the Packers beat this team? Of course! But with mostly subtractions so far this offseason, the ripple effect is in full play. 2016 could be an interesting year.

Go Pack!