The Inexperienced Bay Packers are a curious staff, and never straightforward to challenge.
Final yr, the Packers went 1-5 in division video games within the NFC North however nonetheless managed to complete 11-6 general, one thing by no means seen earlier than in 23 seasons for the reason that NFL’s present divisional mannequin began in 2002. There have been 100 groups that completed 1-5 of their division, and the typical complete wins for these groups was simply 4.95. The one groups with profitable information had been the 2009 Texans (9-7) and 2023 Bengals (9-8), neither making the playoffs.
So final yr’s Packers had 5 of their six losses come towards Philadelphia, Detroit and Minnesota — which all gained no less than 14 video games — after which went 11-1 towards everyone else. What’s extra, of these six division video games, 5 had been determined by a area purpose or much less, together with two losses on kicks as time expired, so that they had been actually near ending, say, 3-3 in division and 13-4 general.
The NFC North, in fact, went 0-3 within the playoffs, so it is arduous to know whether or not it was the very best division within the NFL or one which underachieved within the postseason. Or each. The Bears ought to be improved beneath new coach Ben Johnson, the Lions misplaced each coordinators and the Vikings are counting on an unknown commodity in second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The place do the Packers slot in? Virtually actually as a playoff staff, however possibly not ok to dethrone Detroit, particularly if the Lions can keep away from the defensive accidents that restricted them in 2024.
Let’s break down Inexperienced Bay’s 2025 schedule recreation by recreation.
Week 1: vs. Lions, Sunday, Sept. 7
GB -115, it -105
The 2025 season might look rather a lot like final yr, when the Packers opened 6-2 however pale down the stretch, dropping three of their final 5. Final season began with a highway loss on the Eagles, and that is one other daunting opener, at house towards Detroit. Final yr’s recreation at Lambeau wasn’t shut — a 24-6 lead for Detroit with 4 minutes left. This ought to be nearer to their second matchup final season, which got here right down to a Lions area purpose to win on the buzzer, however I feel Detroit wins a detailed one.
Consequence: Loss, 0-1 report
Week 2: vs. Commanders, Thursday, Sept. 11
GB -125, WSH +105
In a brief week, the Packers face an early Thursday night time showdown with Washington, two of the very best second-tier NFC groups attempting to problem Detroit and Philadelphia for the convention crown. The winner will more than likely be seen as a top-10 staff. Inexperienced Bay had the NFL’s No. 6 scoring protection final yr and went 11-0 within the common season when holding opponents to 23 factors or fewer. Can the Packers maintain Washington that low? I feel they will.
Consequence: Win, 1-1
Week 3: at Browns, Sunday, Sept. 21
GB -250, CLE +205
This will probably be one in every of Inexperienced Bay’s best wins of the yr. It is arduous to peg who Cleveland’s quarterback will probably be in Week 3 — the early edge may go to extra skilled choices like Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett, neither of whom ought to threaten the Packers. Inexperienced Bay was simply 9-8 on the highway the previous two years, and this season is an opportunity to enhance on that, particularly early on.
Consequence: Win, 2-1
Week 4: at Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 28
GB -120, from +100
There may very well be some desperation for Dallas right here. If the Cowboys lose at Chicago the week earlier than, they’re probably 1-2 coming into this recreation, so avoiding a 1-3 gap can be necessary, understanding how insanely arduous the second half of their schedule is. It is a Sunday night time recreation in Dallas, a high-profile alternative for Inexperienced Bay, which has gained the previous 5 conferences between these two. The final time the Packers misplaced in Dallas was in 2007, with Brett Favre because the beginning quarterback. I feel that streak continues.
Consequence: Win, 3-1
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: vs. Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 12
GB -142, consuming +120
Inexperienced Bay’s house slate is ridiculous, with the powerful division opponents, plus the Eagles, Ravens, Commanders and Bengals. Cincinnati’s protection will nonetheless be dangerous, so search for a high-scoring recreation right here. The Packers have misplaced three house video games in every of Jordan Love’s two seasons as starter, and I feel that is one which will get away.
Consequence: Loss, 3-2
Week 7: at Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 19
GB -122, the +102
Within the first eight video games final yr, Arizona’s protection ranked twenty seventh in factors allowed, however within the final 9 video games, the Cardinals ranked sixth, which bodes effectively for his or her possibilities to compete in Jonathan Gannon’s third season. The Packers had been a part of that dangerous first half for Arizona, leaping out to a 24-0 lead on the best way to a 34-13 victory. They stored Kyler Murray in verify that day, and I feel they’re going to be capable of do it once more.
Consequence: Win, 4-2
Week 8: at Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 26
GB -120, PIT +100
This might (ought to?) be the largest particular person revenge recreation of the 2025 season, no less than if Aaron Rodgers finally indicators with Pittsburgh as anticipated. It would be a a lot greater deal if it had been at Lambeau, however the concept of Rodgers going through the Packers is compelling. One potential benefit for Inexperienced Bay: New Steelers receiver DK Metcalf has had three quiet video games towards the Packers in his profession, totaling 10 catches for 113 yards and 0 touchdowns. Inexperienced Bay ought to be capable of maintain Rodgers.
Consequence: Win, 5-2
May Aaron Rodgers return to Lambeau Discipline for the primary time since his final recreation as a Packer, a loss to the Lions on Jan. 8, 2023? (Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)
Week 9: vs. Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 2
GB -340, CAR +270
In 30 NFL begins, Carolina’s Bryce Younger has just one 300-yard recreation — and it got here towards the Packers final yr. He threw for 2 touchdowns within the closing eight minutes, however the Panthers in the end misplaced on a area purpose as time expired. Carolina ought to be improved this yr, however Younger is 1-14 on the highway in his profession, and I do not assume that results in a Panthers win at Lambeau.
Consequence: Win, 6-2
Week 10: vs. Eagles, Monday, Nov. 10
GB +100, PHI -120
If Inexperienced Bay is certainly 6-2 at this level, then this can be a monster recreation at house on Monday night time towards the defending Tremendous Bowl champs. The Eagles beat the Packers twice final yr, together with a playoff recreation through which Love threw three interceptions in a 22-10 loss. It will probably be nearer to final yr’s season opener in Brazil, when the Eagles gained 34-29 in a decent recreation with seven lead modifications. It is an enormous alternative for the Packers, however we’ll play it protected and have them fall quick.
Consequence: Loss, 6-3
Week 11: at Giants, Sunday, Nov. 16
GB -198, Nyg +164
This is perhaps the Packers’ solely recreation towards a rookie quarterback in 2025, and that is provided that Jaxson Dart is beginning forward of veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston by this level. There might already be a training change in New York by now. Do not take this recreation calmly — the Giants really beat the Packers in each 2022 and 2023, although these had been each huge Saquon Barkley video games and that will not be an issue in 2025. This ought to be one other straightforward victory on the highway.
Consequence: Win, 7-3
Week 12: vs. Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 23
GB -175, min +145
Here is what’s actually cool in regards to the 2025 schedule: 5 of the six divisional video games for the Packers are jammed into the ultimate seven weeks of the season, so the division might simply hinge on who is ready to dominate these video games. Inexperienced Bay, once more, went 1-5 in-division final yr, and it is arduous to think about that taking place once more. The Packers went 11-6 general and had been the No. 7 seed within the NFC playoffs, however that is a rarity, and that is the type of recreation that might assist them achieve the next seed as a wild card.
Consequence: Win, 8-3
Week 13: at Lions, Thursday, Nov. 27
GB +124, that -148
A brief week and a highway journey to Detroit shouldn’t be doing the Packers any favors. That is possibly the toughest stretch of Inexperienced Bay’s schedule, with 4 of the final six on the highway, three of them towards 2024 playoff groups. A yr in the past, the Packers had been 9-3 and went to Detroit, led within the fourth quarter on Josh Jacobs’ third landing run, solely to lose on a area purpose as time expired. Inexperienced Bay would lose three of 5 to complete the common season, and there is a actual danger of one thing comparable right here.
Consequence: Loss, 8-4
Week 14: vs. Bears, Sunday, Dec. 7
GB -185, Chi +154
Final yr’s Packers-Bears video games had been each thrillers, with Inexperienced Bay profitable on a Love landing with 4 minutes left, then two lead modifications within the closing minute and Chicago profitable at Lambeau within the regular-season finale. These two sq. off twice in three weeks, and a sweep may very well be disastrous for the dropping staff. I’ll hedge and choose a sequence cut up like final yr, with every staff profitable at house, however a sweep would make issues rather more attention-grabbing.
Consequence: Win, 9-4
Week 15: at Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 14
GB +102, the -122
The Packers have gained solely as soon as ever in Denver — in additional time in 2007 on an 82-yard landing go from Favre. Two years in the past, Inexperienced Bay was down 16-3 late within the third quarter, received two landing passes from Love for the lead, solely to lose on a late area purpose. This might go both approach, however I am going to take the Broncos to carry on at their house area.
Consequence: Loss, 9-5
Week 16: at Bears, Saturday, Dec. 20
GB -120, Chi +100
It is nothing new, however Inexperienced Bay might spend all the month of December out within the chilly, with two house video games and journeys to Denver and Chicago. It is value mentioning that Matt LaFleur was 22-4 in December/January regular-season video games his first 5 seasons with the Packers earlier than final yr’s 2-3 slide. A highway win right here can be enormous for Inexperienced Bay, however there is definitely a world the place an rising Bears staff is preventing for a playoff spot on this Saturday recreation, and I am going to take Chicago to get the win for a season cut up.
Consequence: Loss, 9-6
Week 17: vs. Ravens, Flex Sport
GB +102, BAL -122
Once more, not a straightforward end to this schedule. Inexperienced Bay has by no means confronted Lamar Jackson, as he was injured in 2021 when the Packers gained 31-30 on a missed two-point conversion within the closing minute. Assuming Jackson performs towards the Bears this fall, Inexperienced Bay would be the final NFL opponent for him to verify off. He is performed the opposite 29 groups, and he is overwhelmed all 29, due to a loopy 24-4 profession report towards NFC groups. That makes it arduous to select the Packers, as a lot as they should win right here.
Consequence: Loss, 9-7
Week 18: at Vikings, Flex Sport
GB -120, min +100
May there be a playoff berth on the road between these two rivals? Inexperienced Bay went to Minnesota in Week 17 the previous two years, splitting the 2 video games and dropping final season when the Packers lower a 27-10 fourth-quarter deficit to 2 factors however could not get a cease for yet one more drive late. This may very well be one of many greater Week 18 video games, and it is potential the NFC North has three playoff groups, because it did final yr. However what if it would not? We’ll take the Packers, coming in from the chilly, pulling out a detailed one.
Consequence: Win
Closing Document prediction: 10-7
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade protecting the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You may observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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