The Packers’ 2020 schedule and thoughts
The 2020 NFL schedule is finally here and this is what the Packers’ schedule looks like:
Before we go any further, I realize that COVID-19 will likely cause a lot of disruptions, assuming we even have a season in 2020. If the games are played, I don’t see the stadiums filled to capacity. We will likely have half-full stadiums or perhaps no fans at all, and I think the more likely scenario is the latter of the two. It will be very hard to enforce social distancing not only in the stands, but in the entrance gates, the concession stands, the lines to the restrooms, etc. For this article, I am giving my analysis with the assumption that the schedule will be followed in its current state.
The Packers don’t have more than two consecutive home or away games the whole season. The bye week is earlier than I would like to see but the Thursday game in November gives them a “mini-bye” and a bit of rest before they play some cold-weather games. The road schedule looks very tough on paper, but remember that crowd noise may not be a factor. They have many potential matchups vs marquee quarterbacks. I am talking about Tom Brady at Tampa, Drew Brees at New Orleans, and Philip Rivers at Indianapolis, all on the road. There is also that game on Thursday night at San Francisco (or Santa Clara, to be more accurate.) I actually think the Packers have a great opportunity to get this game because both teams will have a short time to prepare for it and as I said before, I don’t think GB has to worry about stepping into a hostile environment. I think the true home-field advantage games will be the ones in cold weather, which is why the Packers need to be able to run the ball.
When you go 13-3, especially when you have Aaron Rodgers, you have plenty of late-afternoon and primetime games. They don’t play the Bears until after Thanksgiving, and by that time, Nick Foles might be their starting quarterback, assuming he doesn’t start the season under center. There are always some surprise teams and some that flop. They just need to take care of business and dominate early. Maybe they can get more games at Lambeau Field in January, although I fear that we will be robbed of our great fan support at the games. That’s the unfortunate part of this whole thing. The crowd noise (home or away) is part of what makes these games so enjoyable to watch. The lack of fans will take a lot of that away, although I will still watch. It just won’t be the same.
We just have to hope for the best and do our part to keep this virus under control. I really hope they can play all of the games and that we have full fan support at each and every one of them. Either way, I am happy the schedule came out and hopefully we are able to go out and enjoy it either at the stadiums, with friends and/or relatives, or at our favorite pubs and restaurants. Stay safe and take care Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
