The Green Bay Packers are playing their worst football of the Matt LaFleur era. Back to back losses to admittedly improved New York Giants and Jets teams come after barely escaping with wins against Tampa Bay and New England. Getting their teeth kicked in by the Jets has to be rock-bottom, right? Looking at the upcoming schedule, there is a non-zero chance that things go from bad to worse if the Packers don’t clean things up. Lets take a look at the next few weeks.
Week 7: Packers @ Commanders
Green Bay begins a stretch three road games in a row against a Washington team that will have a rest advantage. Washington played Thursday night and had the weekend to recover, while Green Bay was physically battered by the Jets. Washington will also be starting Quarterback Taylor Heinicke due to an injury to Carson Wentz:
Taylor Heinicke in line to start at QB for Commanders with Carson Wentz likely sidelined 4-6 weekshttps://t.co/pefFbchruS pic.twitter.com/7MHArcZ4f1
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 17, 2022
Heinicke is a bit of a wild card, but it can’t get much worse than what Wentz was giving Washington. Heinicke may in fact be an upgrade. Green Bay is favored, and on paper should win this game, but this isn’t the layup we thought it would be.
Week 8: Packers @ Bills
After Washington, Green Bay has a primetime road game against the best team in football. The 5-1 Bills will also be coming off their bye week. This is an absolutely brutal spot for Green Bay. Bills mafia will be buzzing and Green Bay will be walking into a hornets nest. This daunting task makes the Washington game close to a must-win.
Week 9: Packers @ Lions
The Packers conclude their road trip in Detroit, a place that has given them issues for decades. The Lions will be on the second week of back-to-back home games, so the travel advantage is decidedly in their favor. The Packers coming to town is the Super Bowl for every other NFC North team, so the Lions and their crowd will be up for this game. Although I don’t think it will play a big factor since its a division game, there is also a look-ahead “trap game” factor for the Packers due to the game on deck…
Week 10: Cowboys @ Packers
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Mike McCarthy makes his long-awaited return to Green Bay when his Dallas Cowboys come to town. This will be America’s Game of the Week on Fox, and the whole nation will be tuned in. Emotions will be running high on both sidelines. The buildup to this game will be massive. On the field, the Packers better figure out a way to block Micah Parsons and the Cowboys front 4. QB Dak Prescott, barring any setbacks, will also be back under center for Dallas which should add some explosiveness to the Dallas offense. Oh, and Dallas is also coming off their bye week.
Week 11: Titans @ Packers
After the emotional game in week 10, the Packers host the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football. You’d like to have a full week of prep and recovery after the Mike McCarthy revenge game, but such is life in the NFL. At least the Packers get this game at home, as it’s always better to not have to travel on a short week.
Week 12: Packers @ Eagles
The Packers hit the road again for two consecutive games, beginning with a visit to the best team in the NFC. There is a decent chance that Philadelphia is still undefeated by the time this game rolls around. This Eagles team is rolling and has a Charmin-soft schedule. The Packers will have a rest advantage coming off Thursday Night Football at least. But this is a tough, tough road game in a hostile environment.
Week 13: Packers @ Bears
Finally, the Packers play the Bears before their week 14 bye. It’s hard to say much nice about the Bears right now. The Packers should win this game, no question about it. But, it is the second of back-to-back road games, a rivalry game (weird things happen) and it will be cold.
Takeaways
This stretch of schedule between right now and the bye week will make or break the Packers season. The NFL did not do the Packers any favors with situational spots in this stretch. Facing teams off their bye is less than ideal, and any time you have three road games consecutively it is taxing on player’s body clocks. If the Packers had taken care of business against the New York teams, this stretch would not seem as daunting. Those were supposed to be wins and Green Bay was supposed to be 6-1 entering this stretch. Turns out they lost both games, and now it is time to put up or shut up. I am not saying the Packers are doomed by any means, but if things don’t turn around starting this week at Washington, the season could get away from them quickly.
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