Packers’ 2019 Schedule and Thoughts
Arguably one of the most exciting moments of the NFL offseason is when they release the NFL Schedule. Other than free agency and the NFL Draft, there are no players being shuffled around, but the schedule gets fans talking, whether the talk is positive or negative. Here is a visual of the Packers’ 2019 Schedule:
As I viewed this schedule, some things jumped out at me. Unless you’ve lived underground during the last month or so, you know that the Packers visit Soldier Field to play the Bears on Thursday night to open the NFL season. In Week 4, they host the Eagles, which means that they play on Thursday night twice within a four-week span. In fact, they will be tested a lot during the first few months of the season. After facing the Bears on the road, they have three straight home games, but that includes the Vikings, who the Packers have had a lot of trouble with lately, and the Eagles, a playoff team from last year. After that game vs the Eagles, they have some time off, but they have a tough matchup with the Cowboys, although the “Boys” often disappoint when they face high expectations.
After the Cowboys, the Packers face the Lions and Raiders, and we don’t know what to expect from either team. The Lions have handed the Packers four straight losses and the Raiders will have a lot of new faces from last year. They then face two very tough opponents on the road in Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. They have a “bye” after Week 10, which I like, especially since they will have two “mini-byes” after Thursday night games during the first four weeks of the season.
They finish the home part of their regular season with the Bears, and then they have two road games, at Minnesota and at Detroit. On paper, this is by no means an easy schedule, but that is why they play the games.
There is no guarantee that the teams that did well last year will do the same this year, and there are always some surprise teams every year. Perhaps the Packers will suffer through another rough season, but perhaps they will find something with a new coach, some new players, and a new system. A healthy, motivated Aaron Rodgers would go a long way towards the Packers having a huge year. There have been a lot of distractions during the last several weeks alone, and I hope I don’t have to rehash any of the drama or talk about players and coaches who are no longer with the team. Instead, I hope that we can all focus on what lies ahead and look forward to the draft next week.
I am not going to make any huge predictions on the Packers’ season right now, but I do know that when Rodgers is healthy and is playing like an MVP, the Packers have a chance. They also added some new pieces on defense. Mike Pettine needs to find the right formula and put these players in a position to succeed. I am tired of having a porous defense. It’s time to get after the quarterback and force turnovers.
If you have any thoughts on the schedule, please don’t hesitate to comment. At least you can now make your travel plans as well as plans for parties, bar visits, road trips, and so on. I am now going to focus my Packer energy on the NFL Draft. Until then, take care Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
