In the wake of the 2023 schedule release, the Packers enter the season with more questions than they have had in over a decade. Aaron Rodgers is traded to the Jets, and Green Bay is replacing him with first-round QB Jordan Love. Love is a relative unknown – other than a promising few drives against the Eagles, most of his 2022 action came in garbage time. Without Rodgers, Green Bay has presumably taken a step back, though they still have plenty of talent at other positions.
The Packers may not be competing for a Super Bowl in 2023, but that doesn’t mean the games aren’t important. The upcoming season could be critical for the evaluation of Jordan Love – not to mention the numerous other young players on both sides of the ball. Ideally, by the end of the season, the Packers should have an idea of whether they have another franchise leader or not. Here are three games that could be key in developing this understanding.
(It should be noted some of Green Bay’s late-season games are subject to the NFL’s flex scheduling, and so may not be played at the times listed.)
Week 7 at the Denver Broncos (Sunday, Oct. 22, 3:25 CT)
Obviously, the Packers will already have played a large chunk of their schedule by Week 7. This game stands out because it is the first game following Green Bay’s Week 6 bye. Before the bye, Green Bay faces several teams – including Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and Las Vegas – that had poor defenses in 2022. Based on 2022 rankings, the Saints could end up being the best defense Jordan Love plays pre-bye – but they lost several pieces from their 2022 defense, and could struggle to find the same success as a result. The Broncos – who retained most of their top-flight 2022 defense – could end up being the first real test for Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love.
In addition, the bye week presents a critical opportunity for NFL teams to reset, self-scout, and determine their course for the rest of the season. Getting the post-bye section of the schedule off to a good start could change the course of the year – and Love’s development.
Week 13 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Dec. 3, 7:20 CT)
The first of two Sunday Night Football games scheduled for the Packers, the contest against the Chiefs could be another critical test for Jordan Love. Barring injury, the Packers will face the best QB in the league and a highly talented roster on both sides of the ball. Playing in prime-time against one of the top teams in the NFL can bring out the best in some players. If Love can step up in crunch time, it could go a long way towards confirming if the Packers have another long-term solution at QB on their hands.
Week 16 at the Carolina Panthers (Sunday, Dec. 24, 12 CT)
As the season winds down, the last set of conference games can be crucial to determining playoff spots. Given the unknowns, youth, and inexperience on Green Bay’s roster, the Packers are unlikely to be serious Super Bowl contenders in 2023. However, the NFC North is far from a daunting division, and if a few things go their way the Packers could very well be in position to make a late-season playoff push. Games like this one against the Panthers could be critical to any playoff aspirations.
In addition, the Panthers – who hired star defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in the offseason – are expected to have a very good defense. Can Jordan Love and this young, talented offense put things together enough to win an important late-season road game? Like the games against the Broncos and Chiefs, the Panthers matchup serves as a valuable signpost that can help the team – and fans – get a look at the future prospects of the Packers.
Conclusion
After years competing for Super Bowls with Aaron Rodgers, it could feel strange to put aside those lofty aspirations, at least for a year or two. With any luck, Green Bay will be back in the mix sooner rather than later. The tests that the 2023 season will bring could go a long way towards determining how long that wait will be.
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