We’ve sorted through dozens of articles about the Packers’ latest news, game results, rosters, rumors and other info that’s important to the team and to you. Check it out! By PACKERSWIRE Attempting to connect two football teams separated by 15 years is probably a fool’s errand, but the 2023 Green Bay Packers have a special connection to the 2008 Packers, and it’s worth diving into to see if the first team quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers can teach us anything about the team about to be run by first-year starter Jordan Love this season. Here are some things to consider about the 2023 Packers after diving into the 2008 team: The 2008 Packers lost 10 total games by a combined 63 points, including seven losses by seven points or fewer. During an eight-game stretch spanning November and December, the Packers lost six games by four points or fewer and dropped from 4-3 to 5-10. The close games are going to matter a lot in terms of staying afloat in the playoff race. Overall, the 2008 Packers were 1-7 in one-score games. Learning how to win with Jordan Love is going to be an up-and-down journey, but it’s hard to imagine the 2023 Packers having worse luck (and luck is very much a factor in these scenarios) in winning close games. The 2008 Packers lost five fourth-quarter leads. This ties into the close game section. Had the Packers held onto advantages in the fourth quarter of the five games, their record would have flipped from 6-10 to 11-5. The 2008 defense struggled under Bob Sanders, allowing the 22nd most points and 20th most yards after allowing the sixth most points and 11th most yards in 2007. The 2023 Packers need a big turnaround on defense under Joe Barry. Given the amount of draft capital and cap dollars spent on the defense, improvement is absolutely necessary. Like the 2008 team, this year’s team won’t be able to survive giving away winnable games in the fourth quarter. It’s tough to compare the Packers’ 2008 passing game to the 2023 passing game. In 2008, Rodgers was throwing to Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Donald Lee. By the end of 2008, Jennings and Driver both had over 1,000 receiving yards. Can Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and a ridiculously young group of receivers and tight ends provide enough of a supporting cast for Love? There is a strong foundation, given the talent at running back, the experience along the offensive line (and the elite players on the left side) and the speed at the skill positions. Inexperience will be a much bigger issue for the 2023 Packers. The 2008 Packers offense finished fifth in third-down percentage and sixth in red-zone touchdown percentage. Both are incredible marks for a team quarterbacked by a first-year starter. Rodgers was terrific on third down (passer rating of 105.7), and the Packers averaged over 5.0 yards per carry on third down. Rodgers also threw 19 touchdowns without an interception in the red zone. New offenses and inexperienced quarterbacks can really feel the pressure of situational football, especially in high-leverage situations like third down and when the field condenses in the red zone. Like Mike McCarthy before him, Matt LaFleur’s ability to dial up the right stuff in big spots will determine if the 2023 Packers can be a strong team situationally. The 2008 Packers got nine total touchdowns from the defense (including five from Nick Collins and Charles Woodson) and special teams: seven turnovers returned for scores, and two punt return scores from Will Blackmon. Overall, the 2008 team won six total games and four featured a return touchdown. Can the 2023 Packers get similar impact? This year’s defense doesn’t have all-world playmaking talents like Collins or Woodson, but players such as Preston Smith, Rasul Douglas, De’Vondre Campbell and Darnell Savage produced defensive touchdowns in the last three seasons. And the special teams has a special weapon in Keisean Nixon, last year’s All-Pro kick returner, and rookie receiver Jayden Reed scored touchdowns returning punts at Michigan State. A young offense may need help scoring punts, so big plays from the defense and special teams are a likely requirement. Follow all of your favorite Wisconsin teams at Packers Wire, Badgers Wire and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel!
Your Weekly Packers News Update
What can we learn about 2023 Packers from the 2008 Packers?
Close games will matter, a lot
Fourth quarter defense
Can the passing game hit the ground running?
Situational
Special teams and defense can score
"
"Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada
"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help.
As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "
-Kayle
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
"
-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly