Key Takeaways from the Green Bay Packers 2020 Schedule
With the recent release of the Green Bay Packers' 2020 schedule, here are several key takeaways.
By Paul_Bretl
For a few months now we knew who the Green Bay Packers would be playing 2020 and we also knew where those games would be taking place. However, what we didn't know was the order. Well, that was until Thursday evening when the Packers, and every other NFL team, released their schedules for the upcoming season.
In the grand scheme of a football season, the schedule may seem trivial but more times than not it plays some role in determining how a team's season will play out. So after having some time to take a look at Green Bay's schedule for 2020, I've come away with several key takeaways.
Starting off on the road
Last season the Packers had a number of home games at Lambeau to start the season but this time around, four of their first six games will be on the road. This certainly makes things more challenging and last year playing at Lambeau multiple times early on allowed them to get off to a fast start. This year, however, they'll have to find a way to do that on the road and against some tough opponents.
Weeks 6 through 9 will be a tough test
There's almost always a difficult part of the schedule and for Green Bay it takes place in Weeks 6 through 9. During that stretch they will face Tampa Bay and Houston on the road, they will then come home to play Minnesota who is coming off a bye. Then to cap it off, on short week they'll head to San Francisco to face the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. That is four games, against four potential playoff teams with three taking place on the road and all in the span of just 19 days.
Finishing at Home
If the Packers are starting with a heavy road schedule then that means they'll have a stretch of home games at some point and this year it comes at the perfect time. Four of Green Bay's final six games will be played at Lambeau Field in late-November into December. This is one of the better home-field advantages in football and something that we hopefully see them capitalize on.
Nice Travel Schedule
Despite having to play several of their early season games on the road, for the most part, their travel schedule is in good shape. Green Bay only has to play back-to-back road games just one time all year, they only have one trip to the west coast, and overall the balance between home and road games is distributed nicely.
At Chicago in Week 17
As always, I'm sure by Week 17 the playing surface at Soldier Field will be in wonderful shape! Not.
Here's to hoping the Packers get through this game healthy or better yet, they've already locked up the division and a top playoff seed and they can rest their starters.
The early bye week
At first glance seeing that the Packers' bye week is happening as early as Week 5 may seem less than ideal. However, this is right before their four game stretch against Tampa, Houston, Minnesota, and San Francisco. With there being the very real possibility that these four games carry a lot of weight in determining Green Bay's season, having the bye beforehand may not be such a bad thing.
5 Primetime appearances
Playing on national television has become a common thing for the Green Bay Packers over the years and in 2020 they will be one of several teams who will be making five appearances in Primetime.
It's certainly a first place schedule
After finishing the 2019 season 13-3 and winners of the NFC North, the Packers have been handed a first place schedule in 2020. And it is no slouch, to say the least. Six of their opponents made the playoffs in 2019 and of the teams that didn't, several of them such as Carolina, Indianapolis, and Tampa Bay have all made improvements over the offseason. Not to mention that the NFC North should be another tough battle for the division crown.
Packers should be well-rested throughout the season
The only game on the schedule that the Green Bay Packers will be working on a short week is against San Francisco.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
Comments (20)
Lphill
May 08, 2020 at 01:14 pm
It’s going to be brutal. I’m hoping they can go 8 and 8 but that’s a stretch, well next draft we will be picking high enough to get that linebacker we’re waiting for.
stockholder
May 08, 2020 at 02:01 pm
"For he's a jolly good fellow" Good bye #12. Next Draft will pick a Wr before Lb. And if it's that high, DT first. Gutey won't sign Adams after #12 departs. His value will drop with more running. Clark will be franchised.
Charvid
May 08, 2020 at 02:24 pm
At which point we’ll draft a center.
Daren726
May 08, 2020 at 06:17 pm
Love the positive attitudes
MWendlandt
May 09, 2020 at 01:19 pm
it's truly amazing how so many longtime posters have gone off the deep end since January.
Bearmeat
May 08, 2020 at 01:44 pm
It looks tough now, but there is always a ton of change from year to year. I'm not going to freak out about it. If Green Bay gets more consistent on offense and can find a way to stay in the top 15 of rushing defense, they'll be fine. If they can't, they won't.
End of story.
Lphill
May 08, 2020 at 04:32 pm
Top 15 of rushing defense? They will be in the top 30 ‘s with Oren Burks
t-wrecks
May 08, 2020 at 02:35 pm
In a way too early prediction, the 49s destroy us again with the run...would love to be wrong.
Hornungfan
May 08, 2020 at 03:27 pm
If I had to rate this schedule on a level of 1 to 10 (1 being the least favorable we could have been given and 1 being the most favorable) I would rate this at about 7. First, there is only one back to back road game.
Second, if prior to this schedule being issued we would probably say the road game we are least likely to win, that would be San Francisco. So, if we have to have a road Thursday game, maybe we might as well have the short rest West coast trip then since we may be very unlikely to win it anyway. Under these circumstances, the Packers will be playing the Niners with no pressure with no one in the world expecting the Packers to win. Maybe that's an opportunity to catch the Niners taking a nap..
Third, the 6 home games in November & December play right into our hands.
Fourth, the last game of the year outside in a short flight to Chicago is probably about the most favorable road game we could have of any team in the league from a venue standpoint anyway, though not from the standpoint of the quality of the opponent. Chicago is a short trip and outside in January. We are experienced and built to play in those conditions, though, of course, the Bears probably will be as well.
Last year's schedule was much more adverse.
fordguy
May 09, 2020 at 11:17 am
(1 being the least favorable we could have been given and 1 being the most favorable)??????????????????
gkarl
May 08, 2020 at 04:31 pm
I like this schedule for several reason already noted above. Plus we get Brady, Brees, Rivers, who know how many more chance we'll have to see them. Lots of playoff teams from LY is good also. As the saying goes, to be the man you've got to beat the man. Woooooooooooooo!!!!
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2020 at 06:54 pm
Getting big name QBs that are past their prime. Packers will be favorites.
Lphill
May 08, 2020 at 05:49 pm
First the draft now this schedule, Rodgers should just retire now , what’s the sense of going out there when you know you can’t even make the playoffs.
13TimeChamps
May 08, 2020 at 06:18 pm
My god, it must suck to be you.
wildbill
May 08, 2020 at 09:45 pm
KC gave up more rushing yards last year than the Packers. They gave up 4.9 YPC where we gave up 4.7 YPC. The big difference is their offense didn’t crap their pants when punched in the mouth! They gave up well over 6 YPC in the Super bowl and won by more than one score. We won numerous games where teams ran easily against us. Quit crying about the run defense and start looking how our offense didn’t move the ball, in both SF games until the game was way out of touch. We need to put on our big boy pants and start playing good physical football which is the direction I think we are headed.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 02:53 am
Now the Pack has a power running back and a guy that can set up in the backfield, in the Y or F spot in Dbl. TE sets and flank in the slot with a 1:1 on a LB in the passing game and is not afraid to attack as a blocker in open spaces. LaFleur wants to flank and crash 4-3 defenses and keep the likes of Bosa and Barr worried about getting cut-blocked by guys a bit more dedicated than Jimmy G.
albert999
May 08, 2020 at 10:12 pm
KC
didn’t give up 236 rushing in a championship game to go to the super bowl after 2 weeks to prepare u dumb ass
Defense wins Super Bowls
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 11:10 pm
K.C. picked up Pennell to beef up their run defense after Gutekunst chose not to sign him on a Tuesday try-out, following the first massacre by the 49rs. Pettine is in a prove it year or his system will be wiped off the whiteboard. The K.C. defense really won the game for them in Qtr four then Garappolo missed the post shot to Sanders.
Rossonero
May 09, 2020 at 08:24 am
Never been a fan of early bye weeks, but there have been seasons where after just 4 games we're the walking wounded.
To be the best, you've got to beat the best. The schedule is tougher than last season, but.....challenge accepted.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 10, 2020 at 06:02 am
I thought the Chicago/Mn start last year was tough. It turned out that Chicago was a somewhat less than average team. I usually think MN's talent is quite good but expect their record to be worse than their talent. I think Detroit's talent is fairly decent but expect them to ride the roller coaster each year, and finish below .500 or so. Denver seemed like a win, but Philly scared me. Dallas, Detroit and Oakland seemed like wins, though dropping the Dallas game seemed possible. So, 4-4 at worst after KC. The last 8 games looked easier, probably 6 wins there. 10-6. Sometimes it is a game of match-ups and who is healthier, and GB won several games I expected to lose.
Getting MN early is good. I see 3-1 against @MN, Det., @NO and Atlanta.
3 aways vs. decent teams. 2-2 would be fine against @TB, @HOU, MN and @SF.
3 home games vs. decent teams. 3-1 would be fine vs. Jax, @IND, CHI and Philly.
2 home games. I don't think Ten is for real. 3-1 is good vs. @Det, Car, Ten, @Chi.
That's 11-5. Should GB drop one more than expected, 10-6 usually gets a team into the playoffs.