Last season, the Green Bay Packers squeaked into the playoffs with a 9-8 record. As the NFC Playoff picture takes shape, 9-8 won’t cut it this season. With eight more games to go, the 6-3 Packers will probably need to win at least five more, but how will they get there?
Green Bay entered the bye as the seventh seed. They are third in the NFC North behind the 8-1 Detroit Lions and the 7-2 Minnesota Vikings. The Packers are 0-2 against the division, and they still have to play the Chicago Bears twice and the Lions and Vikings again.
The Packers don’t have an easy schedule after the bye. They’ve run out of AFC South teams to beat up on, but there are still some favorable matchups to take advantage of, starting this week in Chicago.
Green Bay @ Chicago
It’s Bears week, and it could not come at a better time for Green Bay. The Bears are 4-5 and coming off a loss to a 2-7 New England Patriots team in which they scored three points.
Their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has not thrown a touchdown pass since October 13, and the Patriots sacked him nine times. If there was ever a time for the Packers’ pass rush to get right after trading Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, this is it.
Jordan Love should be fully healed from his groin injury. He’ll head into the Windy City to prove that while Chicago’s owner has left, the Packers still own the Bears.
Prediction: W (Packers move to 7-3)
San Francisco @ Green Bay
The 5-4 San Francisco 49ers have faced injuries and have not met their championship expectations. San Francisco is a different team with Christian McCaffrey, who returned from injury last week.
San Francisco and Green Bay have a storied history of playoff clashes, and the Niners have come out on top over the last decade. It will be the best chance for the Packers to enact revenge, albeit in the regular season.
However, Kyle Shanahan’s squad has outplayed the Packers in almost every matchup. With the Niners getting their star player back, this one will end the same way.
Prediction: L (7-4)
Miami @ Green Bay - Thursday
In Green Bay’s first Thursday Night Football game of the year, they get the Miami Dolphins with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Miami’s offense will test the Packers’ defensive backs at full strength. However, Jaire Alexander should be healthy enough to match up with Tyreek Hill.
Still, the Dolphins have struggled even with Tua healthy, so this should be a Packers win for the Packers on a short week at home in the cold.
Prediction: W (8-4)
Green Bay @ Detroit - Thursday
The Packers beat themselves last time out against the Detroit Lions. However, it’s a short week for Detroit this time, but not the Packers. Therefore, Green Bay should keep it rolling against the Lions. The Packers have a habit of splitting season series with the NFC North teams. This season won’t be any different against the Lions.
Green Bay will be fully healthy and have time to address lingering issues. Meanwhile, the Lions look increasingly like a team regressing to the mean. Like last season, Love and the Pack should perform much better and put the Lions away on Thanksgiving.
Prediction: W (9-4)
Green Bay @ Seattle
After the Thanksgiving break, the Packers will likely regress and take a loss to a tough Seattle Seahawks defense on the road. Green Bay also struggled against the Seahawks over the last decade. While Russell Wilson and Pete Caroll are gone, this just reeks of a trap game for a streaking Packers team.
Prediction: L (9-5)
New Orleans @ Green Bay - Monday
The Saints have fired their head coach and sold at the deadline. They’re also dealing with injuries. At this point, it’s hard to think that this team will be competitive in December.
As long as they execute, the Packers should have no problem taking care of the Saints at home in primetime.
Prediction: W (10-5)
Green Bay @ Minnesota
The last time Green Bay met the Vikings, the 31-29 final score did not accurately represent how the game played out. Minnesota outplayed the Packers in the first, and Green Bay outplayed the Vikings in the second. Ultimately, the Vikings came out with a victory.
Love should be fully healthy in this matchup, and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold looks more human as the season progresses. The Packers will take revenge over an NFC North opponent late in the season.
Prediction: W (11-5)
Chicago @ Green Bay
For the final game of the season, the Packers host the Bears, a team they have not lost to under Matt LaFleur. The Packers should have a playoff spot secured by Week 18 and just need a win over the Bears, who might have already fired their coach. Should be no problem for the Packers.
Prediction: W (12-5)
If the season plays out this way, the Packers should hold the top spot in the NFC North, or a Wild Card spot at worst. There is no guarantee that the Packers will finish 4-2 in the NFC North and 12-5 overall. Still, if the way Love heated up at the end of last season indicates the team’s success, the Packers should have a fun second half.
All stats and data via ESPN, NFL, or Green Bay Packers unless otherwise noted.
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