The Green Bay Packers were already proclaimed one of the winners of the NFL schedule release by The Athletic, who also named Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets as one of the losers. That is a sentiment that appears to be common among national writers as one more has made the same proclamation. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report made a similar claim in an article that was posted last night. Like the post in The Athletic, Davenport points to the Packers’ opponents mostly having poor 2022 seasons while the Jets’ opponents were mostly postseason contenders last year.
See: The Green Bay Packers Schedule 2023
Why the Green Bay Packers Are Winners of the NFL Schedule Release
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Davenport makes some interesting observations when talking about the Packers’ schedule for the 2023 season:
“Fortunately, the schedule-makers chose to give [Jordan] Love some time to get his feet wet.
“We already knew that the Packers had a relatively easy schedule in 2023—the ninth-easiest in the league with an opponent winning percentage of .476.
“But in addition to facing opponents who were a combined 14 games under .500 last year, the Packers also get some time for their new quarterback to adjust to his new role.
“But the Packers won’t play a 2022 playoff team until hosting the Vikings on October 29, and they won’t face a second one until hosting the Chargers on November 19.
“Only six of Green Bay’s 17 games in 2023 are against 2022 playoff teams—and two of those are with the rival Vikings.”
Aside from the Vikings, the only four 2022 NFL Playoff teams that the Packers play are: the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 11), the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 13), the New York Giants (Week 14), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 15). It is worth noting, too, that the Bucs made the Playoffs last season with an 8-9 record.
While there is some uncertainty surrounding the future with Jordan Love, one thing is certain: the NFL schedule makers could not have made it any easier on Green Bay if they tried.
Why the New York Jets Are Losers of the NFL Schedule Release
Whereas Green Bay does not see a 2022 Playoff team until Week Eight, the New York Jets start their season against five such teams in their first eight games. Davenport writes:
“It’s no secret the Jets were going to face a challenging schedule this season. In terms of 2022 winning percentage, only five teams faced a tougher slate than Gang Green in 2023.
“And apparently, the NFL decided to see just how good these new-look Jets are right from the jump.
“In his very first game as a Jet, Rodgers will lead his team against the three-time defending AFC East champion Bills on Monday night. The next week, it’s off to Dallas to face a familiar foe in Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. The Jets host the Chiefs on Sunday night in Week 4, and then play the other participant in Super Bowl LVII, the Philadelphia Eagles, in Week 6.
“Add in a Week 8 Met Life Stadium showdown with the Giants, and that’s five 2022 playoff teams over the first half of the season.
“If Rodgers is slow to jell with his new offense, or the team struggles out of the gate, the Jets could be in real trouble by Halloween.”
And it is not like their schedule will get any easier after Halloween either. Following the October 31, the Jets still have games against the following 2022 Playoff teams: Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins (twice), and Buffalo Bills. Furthermore, the also play the New England Patriots twice (Week 3 and Week 18).
Rodgers and the Jets certainly have their work cut out for them.
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