The entire concept of a “trap game” has its share of proponents and detractors. Still, however much validity you ascribe to the phenomenon, it’s undeniable that some spots on the schedule present the opportunity to sleepwalk into what should be a favorable matchup. Trap Truthers would argue the Green Bay Packers fell into just such a trap-game spot last year against the Carolina Panthers.
Green Bay came off the emotional high of knocking off Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in Pittsburgh last year. It was Rodgers’ first time playing against the Packers, spotlighted on Sunday Night Football. Jordan Love dazzled, and Jeff Hafley’s defense made enough stops in a 35-25 win.
It was easy to peek ahead after that win to another titanic matchup two weeks down the road. The then-defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles would be coming to town on a Monday night. It was appointment television.
Sandwiched between the two was a noon kickoff at Lambeau Field against Carolina. The Panthers made the playoffs last year, but only with an 8-9 record. They were far from an intimidating force. Yet they strolled into Green Bay after the Packers had just won in Pittsburgh and held off a zombie-like performance from the Packers.
The offense was putrid, the Packers turned it over twice, and Panthers running back Rico Dowdle gashed Green Bay’s run defense to the tune of 130 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers lost, 16-13.
Maybe it’s a bit of poetic justice then that the Panthers are yet again a trap-game candidate for the Packers in 2026. This time, the teams will meet in a standalone spot on Thursday Night Football. Once again, it will be at Lambeau Field.
Before the Packers welcome in Carolina, they’ll be on the road in Detroit the week prior in Fox’s “Game of the Week.” Green Bay went 2-0 against the Lions last year and 4-2 in the division, but they still didn’t claim the crown. Those NFC North battles will be just as hotly contested in 2026, with all four teams having a realistic shot at claiming the division.
Plenty of eyes will be glued to that first matchup against Detroit in Week 7.
On the other end of Carolina’s matchup is a Week 9 tilt at New England. An “old friend” alert game is in play with former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs signing with the Patriots in the offseason. Plus, the Patriots were (technically) in the Super Bowl in February.
Has Green Bay learned its lesson from last year’s trap spot? Or will the Panthers be primed for another upset?
The Packers have a chance to prove they won’t fall for the same trap twice.
Two other spots on the schedule present the same challenge, for similar reasons.
The New Orleans Saints could be a sneaky worst-to-first candidate this year in their own division after finishing 6-11 last year. Quarterback Tyler Shough showed noticeable signs of growth as the weeks wore on.
To help address the situation around Shough, the Saints drafted wide receivers in the first, fourth, and sixth rounds, while also taking Georgia tight end Oscar Delp in the third. In free agency, New Orleans added running back Travis Etienne and tight end Noah Fant.
Still, the Saints aren’t a Super Bowl contender in 2026. Far from it. Green Bay will pay a visit to The Big Easy in Week 13, but potentially overshadowing that matchup are meetings with legitimate championship contenders both before and after.
In Week 12, the Packers will emerge from the bye week and head to SoFi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a standalone game the night before Thanksgiving. After the Saints matchup, Green Bay heads home to host another powerhouse in the Buffalo Bills. Like the Rams game, it’s a standalone spot, this time on Sunday Night Football.
If the Packers aren’t careful, they could get clipped by New Orleans between those two highly anticipated games.
And then there’s Week 17.
The Houston Texans were a playoff team a year ago and boast one of the best defenses in the NFL. Their trip to Green Bay earned the Monday Night Football spotlight.
How on earth could this serve as a trap spot then?
It shouldn’t, in theory, but given that the game before that MNF matchup is a Christmas Day affair in Chicago and the week after is the regular-season finale against Detroit, all of a sudden it’s weirdly easy to look past the Houston game.
The Packers can’t afford to do that. Big divisional wins carry more weight, but their meaning is moot if a few losses in otherwise very winnable spots bog Green Bay down in the standings. These in-between games matter. Remember, just because you don’t believe in the trap game doesn’t mean the trap game doesn’t believe in you.
