After a wave of leaks, rumors, and speculation, the NFL released the schedules for all 32 teams on Thursday evening. Although we already knew the Green Bay Packers’ home and away opponents, their exact dates and times matter immensely.
The Packers enter next season with the fourth-hardest strength of schedule as they look to reclaim the NFC North and make a playoff push. Here are five of their most important games and why.
Week 4 @ Tampa Bay
Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled late last season, they still have the personnel to be an NFC contender. The Packers open their season against the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Jets, and the Atlanta Falcons, which could likely result in a 3-0 record going into this game.
Tampa Bay has always had a great run defense, along with its above-average passing attack. Week 4 could easily be the first game the Packers drop, especially if their offense fizzles early. Historically, they have struggled as the visiting team in the Southeast early in the season. So, coming away with a win in this one would be huge with Micah Parsons‘s looming return.
Week 9 @ New England
Coming off another Super Bowl appearance, the Patriots look to make it back after reloading their offense this offseason. Romeo Doubs said he won’t have this game circled, but it will be weird to see him in blue, red, and silver.
New England has a potent passing attack, and may prove to be the biggest test yet for Green Bay’s young secondary. Players like Brandon Cisse and Keisean Nixon will need to have career days to keep up with the high-flying Drake Maye.
Green Bay has one key advantage in this one, though: rest. They play New England following a Thursday night game the week prior, so those 9 days off should help them in this one.
Week 12 @ LA Rams
This one was revealed before the entire schedule came out, and for good reason. In the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve matchup, the Packers visit the Rams on Wednesday night. With an already-wacky schedule of two Thursday night games, throwing in a Wednesday nighter makes this schedule all the more interesting.
Many said last year’s NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams was essentially the Super Bowl. Los Angeles is a great team through and through, with young talent at nearly every position. Jordan Love must be excellent in this one to keep up with the Rams offense, and Matt LaFleur will need to continue his dominance over Sean McVay, as we’ve seen in years past.
Week 14 vs. Buffalo
This one will be good. Two cold-weather teams battling it out at Lambeau Field in December. The Buffalo Bills have always been an interesting team, with their regular-season dominance and playoff woes. Much like the Packers, the Bills are a good team every year, but suffer from offensive ineptitude and coaching mishaps.
This matchup seems like a toss-up and might depend on whether Green Bay’s run defense shows up. We’ve seen Josh Allen go Superman mode, but he’s prone to mistakes if their run game becomes nonexistent. It’s also important to note this as the Packers’ fifth out of six primetime games. Their six primetime games trail only the Bills’ and the Rams’.
Week 16 @ Chicago
Both Bears matchups could go on this list, but I chose this one purely for timing. The Packers will head to Soldier Field for their third-to-last game, coming in with a sour taste in their mouths. This game could decide the NFC North winner.
This game is so important for so many reasons. Jordan Love vs. Caleb Williams. Matt Lafleur vs. Ben Johnson. Two NFC giants clash in a matchup once known as a joke. Oh yeah, and it’s on Christmas. How can you not be romantic about football? The Packers definitely have this one circled and will look to get revenge on the team that crushed their playoff dreams just last season.
