CBS 58

GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Green Bay Packers enter the 2024 NFL playoffs with long odds but a sense of déjà vu. The Packers are drawing comparisons to their unforgettable 2010 season, which culminated in a Super Bowl XLV victory. Fans are hoping history will repeat itself, as several striking parallels between the two seasons fuel optimism.

Injury Woes

In 2010, the Packers endured an injury-riddled regular season, losing key contributors like Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant. Despite the setbacks, the team rallied to clinch the final NFC Wild Card spot with a 10-6 record.

Fast-forward to 2024, and the narrative feels familiar. The Packers finished the regular season at 11-6, but not without overcoming adversity. Quarterback Jordan Love missed two games due to injury. Deep-threat wide receiver Christian Watson and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander dealt with nagging injuries throughout the year.

Young QB Stepping into the Spotlight

In 2010, Aaron Rodgers, a Pro-bowl quarterback, but relatively unproven at the time, elevated his game in the playoffs. Longtime Packers beat writer Pete Dougherty says his Divisional Round win against Atlanta silenced critics and solidified his status as one of the NFL’s elite signal-callers. "Rodgers had as good of a game as a quarterback can ever play," Dougherty said.

Is Jordan Love following a similar path? In his second year as a starter, Love has had moments of brilliance, demonstrating his ability to make big-time throws in critical situations.

Dougherty wonders if Love, and the team, is still a year away.

He said, “2010 was Rodgers’ third year as a starter, this is Love's second. I think this team is a little younger than that one was, but not by a lot."

A Coach with Something to Prove

Mike McCarthy, the Packers’ head coach in 2010, had amassed successful regular seasons but faced skepticism about his ability to deliver in the playoffs.

LaFleur finds himself in a similar situation. Despite leading the Packers to three straight 13-win seasons earlier in his tenure, he has yet to guide the team to a Super Bowl.

Dougherty says in 2010, the team had plenty of doubters.

“I remember huge questions— McCarthy can't win a Super Bowl, Rodgers isn't good enough," Dougherty said. "That [Super Bowl run] came completely out of nowhere.”

A Tough Test in Philadelphia

Both the 2010 and 2024 playoff campaigns began in Philadelphia, a city notorious for its passionate fans and tough playoff atmosphere. In 2010, the Packers upset the Eagles in the Wild Card round, a victory that set the tone for their championship run.

This season, the Packers once again open the postseason at Lincoln Financial Field, where few expect them to prevail against an Eagles team boasting one of the league’s best records.

Siafa Lewis, news and sports personality for CBS Philadelphia, captured the Eagles’ mindset heading into the matchup:

“Respect Jordan Love, but I think they are confident they can beat the Packers.”

Lewis also noted the strength of this year’s Eagles squad.

“From an Eagles standpoint, I think the defense is decidedly better than the 2010 version.”

But Lewis said there is a chance injured quarterback Jalen Hurts has to shake off some rust, and acknowledged a key factor that could work in Green Bay’s favor.

"If you guys can force some turnovers, decrease the Eagles' opportunities and increase your own, I think that could be a gamechanger," he said.

The Packers as Underdogs Once Again

For the Packers, the challenge is clear, but so is the opportunity. As Dougherty noted, Green Bay’s finish to the regular season may have shifted their mindset.

“Maybe that pressure is gone now, with the way they closed the season. Maybe they’ll play looser, and freer,” he said.

Can History Repeat Itself?

The 2024 Packers may not be a carbon copy of the 2010 squad, but the parallels are undeniable. Both teams entered the playoffs with low expectations, a resilient roster, and a young quarterback ready to shine on the NFL’s biggest stage. The question now is whether this year’s team can channel the magic of 2010 and deliver another championship to Titletown.

Even Eagles fans admit that the pressure is on Green Bay's opponent. “They sat Saquon [Barkley] on Sunday with a chance to break the season rushing mark, because they wanted to be healthy for the playoffs," Lewis said. "How are you going to go out and lose week one?”

As Green Bay prepares for its Wild Card matchup, fans can dare to dream. After all, if history has taught us anything, it’s that the Packers are dangerous when no one believes in them.