The Packers will look to overcome an offseason of turmoil and turnover at key positions, to overtake the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, and return to the postseason for the third consecutive year.
However, the NFL schedule makers did the Packers no favors.
Packers have most daunting path to the NFL Playoffs
Over at CBS Sports, NFL analyst Zachary Pereles suggests that the Packers’ road to the postseason is among the five most difficult in the NFL.
“Then the schedule came out, and Green Bay may have breathed a sigh of relief,” Pereles writes for CBS. “With the Vikings, Jets, Falcons and Buccaneers as the first four opponents. Perhaps Parsons returns after that. But Parsons returning and Parsons at full strength are two different things. Just as he could be getting his legs under him, the Packers face the Bears, Cowboys and Lions from Weeks 5-7 before a short week against the Panthers, who beat Green Bay last year.
“According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Packers have five games in which they’ll have less rest than their opponent does. That includes a potentially crucial Christmas Day game (Friday) at the Bears in Week 16; Chicago gets to play on Saturday in Week 15, while the Packers play Sunday. Add in that the Lions and Vikings could both be much improved this season, and Green Bay could be in for some tough sledding.”
Between expecting players to reach lofty expectations in expanded roles, players returning from injuries returning to dominant form, quickly, and now a schedule with few built in advantages, if the Packers do make a run back to the NFC Playoffs, head coach Matt LaFleur’s squad will have certainly earned it.