Every game in the season is very important, especially considering how close the top of the NFC has been recently. Just last year, the Packers were one win away from being the number one seed and hosting the NFC championship. If the season goes on as planned, home field advantage will be more important than ever before. On June 25th, NFL owners agreed to cover seats closer to the field for player and public safety due to COVID-19. With less fans now at the games, the Packers outdoor weather advantage will be amplified. Even though every win counts the same towards a 16 win season, some games on the schedule carry extra meaning down the road.
5. Week 17 @ Chicago
The Bears finished third in the NFC North last year at 8-8. However, five of their losses came in one possession games. This is very similar to the Packers in 2018, who went on to win the NFC North. The Bears do not have any lack of talent; and over the last two years have played the Packers very close. It is quite possible for the Bears to rebound and make the week 17 game a division deciding clash. The Bears added Nick Foles to possibly start or to compete with Trubisky. Ultimately, there will be a different level of quarterback play in Chicago in 2020. Additionally, the Bears still have a great defense led by Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson, and Akiem Hicks.
4. Week 1 @ Minnesota
The Vikings seem due for a regression with many big time losses going into 2020. The biggest being Stephon Diggs amongst three of their starting corners. Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes both left for the Bengals and Xavier Rhodes went on to sign with the Colts. The Vikings have already struggled to contain Davante Adams, but will have to rely on a now even younger secondary. Regardless of regression, the Viking are still one of the better teams in the NFC North. The Packers picked up their first win in Minnesota since the opening of the new stadium last season, and will look to pick up another this season. The Packers will have to open the season in Minnesota in 2020, and an early win on the road could set them up nicely to take a strong division lead.
3. Week 6 @ Tampa Bay
This game will most likely be advertised as “Brady vs. Rodgers III” and will get all the headlines in week six. The Bucs became an instant contender in the NFC after the addition of Tom Brady. With plenty of weapons on offense around him, Brady will look to take the Bucs to the Super Bowl in his first year. However, Rodgers will be looking to do the same for his Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers look to be one of the juggernauts in the NFC this season and a win could be the potential difference maker between a first round bye and playing on wild card weekend. With the NFC as stacked as it looks to be, the Packers will have to rack up as many potential head-to-head tiebreaker wins as possible.
2. Week 3 @ New Orleans
The last time the two teams faced off was in 2017, and Green Bay had Brett Hundley starting at quarterback. Similar to the contest with Tampa Bay, the headlines will all be about Rodgers vs. Brees. However, this should not distract from the fact the Saints will most likely be competing for a bye in the first round, just like they have the last three years. This is another game where the Packers will look to secure a tiebreaker for playoff seeding. The Saints are already established as one of the best teams in the entire NFL and look to continue as such. With few key losses on their roster, they will look to pick back up where they left off last year. This game is a must watch and a must win for the Packers on Sunday Night Football.
1. Week 9 @ San Francisco
There isn’t much to say about this game that isn’t already known. The 49ers just went to the Super Bowl, which makes them top dog in the NFC. The 49ers added talent this off season and will have their foot on the gas all season as they try to make it to the Super Bowl again. Additionally, many would think the Packers will have a little extra motivation against the 49ers. The team embarrassed the Packers twice on national television in 2019, and ended their season the second time around. After the loss to San Francisco in the playoffs, many labeled the Packers as a team that was never a real contender. A win against San Francisco puts the Packers in prime position to contend for the number one seed.
As Always
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