The NFL schedule has been released, and teams and fans are looking their respective team’s schedule in hopes for a super bowl run. Fans are especially excited for this year’s schedule release as stadiums are now allowing full capacity for home games in 2021. The Packers don’t have a bye until week 13, which is their latest bye week in a season since bye weeks were re-introduced back in 1990. In addition, the regular season consists of seventeen games, instead of the usual sixteen.
Not only that, but Green Bay faces opponents from the NFC West, which is arguably the best division in the NFL today. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback, Green Bay faces perhaps the toughest strength of schedule in the 2021 season. They face opponents this season who have a combined win total of 147-124-1. Here, we take a look at weeks five through eight which consists of three difficult road games. Click here to take a look at weeks one through four.
Week 5: At Cincinnati (Sunday 12pm CDT)
After facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field in week four, the Packers continue their AFC North run and travel to Cincinnati and face the Bengals. Coming off an ACL injury, Joe Burrow reunites with his college teammate Ja’Marr Chase, but this is still a developing team. The Bengals have a more promising offense with Burrow at the helm, but the Green Bay defense should be able to hold them relatively short.
The Packers number one ranked offense we experienced last season should be able to shine with the subpar Bengals defense. Even with Jordan Love at quarterback, the Green Bay offense should be able to put up some points.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, 12pm at Chicago Bears
At this point, will Andy Dalton still be the quarterback for Chicago? This Chicago offense was very inconsistent last season, and perhaps by this point, rookie Justin Fields will be behind center. Head Coach Matt Nagy and General Manager Ryan Pace are fighting for their jobs this season, and it showed during the draft.
The Packers could potentially face Justin Fields in this game. An electric player in college could be the missing piece in Chicago. Green Bay’s defense should be able to make the young prospect struggle with all their speed.
Week 7: Washington Football Team (Sunday 12pm CDT)
Here’s another team-facing a quarterback decision on Green Bay’s schedule. It feels as if Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the nod as the starter this year in Washington. However, Taylor Heinicke showed out in an amazing game against the Super Bowl champs in the wildcard round. Regardless of which man starts, the real gem of this team is their defense.
Washington is loaded on every level, but none more than their front. With years of first-round talent invested in the pass rush, they can get to any quarterback. The Packers will have to protect Aaron Rodgers well and will have to let Aaron Jones force Washington to respect the run game.
Week 8: At Arizona (Thursday, 7:20pm CDT)
Led by Kyler Murray, Arizona might be one of the toughest matchups for any defense in the NFL. Kyler Murray can break a game open on his own, but when he has Deandre Hopkins he becomes close to unstoppable. Before injuries slowed him down slightly, Kyler Murray was putting up MVP numbers. This game will be decided by how well Green Bay can contain the young superstar. The Packers offense can score on anyone, and Arizona has a defense that struggled a lot last year.
As Always
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