The release of the Green Bay Packers’ full schedule means we are one step closer to the kickoff of the 2020 season.
Packers Wire looks at each of Green Bay’s matchups and determines what could be the biggest headline heading into each game:
Packers at Vikings – 09/13, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Packers look for third straight victory over Vikings
The Packers went 2-0 against the Vikings last year. To open the 2020 season, Green Bay will attempt to extend its winning steak over Minnesota.
In Week 16 last season, the Packers entered a U.S. Bank Stadium that was filled to capacity with rowdy fans. However, this time the atmosphere could be very different. With the possibility of games being played with no fans seeming more and more likely by the day, the Packers could experience an almost silent environment.
This will also be the first time that the Packers have opened their season on the road against the Vikings.
Packers vs. Lions – 09/20, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Packers look for comfortable win over Lions
The Lions gave the Packers a lot of trouble last season in their two meetings. In the first matchup, Green Bay squeaked out a 23-22 victory over Detroit. In Week 17, the Packers barely escaped Ford Field with a win after Mason Crosby converted on a 33-yard field goal. The Packers didn’t lead until time expired in either game.
With the Lions expected to rebuild this season, the Packers will hope to take down their division rival with less drama.
Packers at Saints – 09/27, 7:20 PM CT
Biggest headline: Playoff Preview?
The Packers and Saints have played each other 25 times, but never in the playoffs. Could 2020 finally be the season that the two long-time NFC foes face off in the postseason?
Both Green Bay and New Orleans are projected to be two of the better squads in the NFC, so it would not be surprising if they ended up meeting more than once.
By Week 3, we won’t have any idea of what the playoff picture will look like. But it would be a surprise if either the Saints or Packers missed out on the postseason in 2020.
Packers vs. Falcons – 10/05, 7:15 PM CT
Biggest headline: Can the Packers’ defense slow down Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense?
In the Falcons’ five most recent matchups against the Packers, Atlanta has failed to score over 30 points just once. In recent history, the Packers have simply been unable to stop the Falcons’ offense.
Julio Jones has been a big problem for the Packers’ defensive backs. In six career games against Green Bay, Jones has caught 40 passes for 698 yards.
Slowing down Atlanta’s offensive attack will be priority No. 1 for the Packers in this game.
Packers at Buccaneers – 10/18, 3:25 PM CT
Biggest headline: Brady vs. Rodgers Part III
November 18th’s game between the Packers and the Buccaneers will mark the third time that Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady have faced off in the regular season. However, this will be the first time that Brady takes on Rodgers as a Buccaneer.
With both Green Bay and Tampa Bay expected to contend in 2020, this game could go a long way in determining playoff seeding in the NFC.
Packers at Texans – 10/25, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Young star takes on the veteran
If Aaron Rodgers says that he sees the 18th hole in his career coming up, then Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has just completed the first couple holes of his NFL career. This matchup between the 36-year-old veteran and the Texans’ blossoming star is intriguing for multiple reasons, but the quarterback play will make the game attractive to the casual fan.
This will only be the fifth time that the Packers have played the Texans. Green Bay currently leads the all-time series 3-1.
Packers vs. Vikings – 11/01, PM 12:00 CT
Biggest headline: NFC North on the line?
Recent history tells us that the Packers or Vikings are probably going to be the top teams in the NFC North. In four out of the last five seasons, either Green Bay or Minnesota has been crowned as NFC North champs.
December 1st’s matchup at Lambeau Field between the Packers and Vikings may not decide this year’s NFC North champion, but whichever team walks away with the victory will be in a great position to clinch the division title.
Packers at 49ers – 11/05, 7:20 PM CT
Biggest headline: Third time is the charm?
After getting blown out by the 49ers in their last two trips to San Fransisco, the Packers will look to find more success at Levi’s Stadium on December 5th.
Entering the 2020 season, the 49ers appear to be the favorites in the NFC. If the Packers are to make it to their first Super Bowl since the 2010-11 season, they will likely have to get past San Francisco.
Taking down the 49ers won’t be easy, though. The Niners’ front office has assembled a complete team that will be really tough to beat.
Packers vs. Jaguars – 11/15, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Can the Packers take care of business against a lesser opponent?
The Jaguars are not expected to be competitive in the 2020 season. Jacksonville will likely be in the running for a high pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. But this doesn’t mean that the Jags won’t pose a threat to the Packers. If Green Bay sleepwalks through this game, they will be reminded that no team is immune to an upset.
Packers at Colts – 11/22, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Can the Packers slow down the Colts’ rushing attack?
The Colts are notorious for running the ball down the throat of their opponent. And after Indianapolis added Jonathan Taylor in the 2020 NFL Draft, it appears that the Colts are not planning on changing their strategy anytime soon.
Last year, the Packers gave up 128.7 rushing yards per game, which ranked 26th in the NFL. For comparison, the Colts rushed for 133.1 yards per contest in 2019.
Green Bay’s defensive line will need to stiffen up if the Packers are to leave Indianapolis with a victory.
Packers vs. Bears – 11/29, 7:20 PM CT
Biggest headline: Packers face Bears in another primetime matchup
This historic rivalry will be in primetime for the 15th straight season. Green Bay has dominated the series in recent years. In their last eight meetings against the Bears, the Packers boast an impressive 7-1 record.
With the Bears looking to rebound after their disappointing 2019 season, this game will be important for the Packers as they look to snag the NFC North crown for the second consecutive season.
Packers vs. Eagles – 12/06, 3:25 PM CT
Biggest headline: Packers look to defend home field against Eagles
After getting beat by the Eagles last year at home, the Packers will attempt to exact revenge on Philadelphia this season at Lambeau Field. In last year’s loss to the Eagles, the Packers defense gave up 34 points and really struggled to stop Carson Wentz and Philadelphia’s offense.
With Wentz and the Eagles returning to Green Bay with a potent offense in 2020, the Packers’ defense will need to step up and perform at a much higher level.
Packers at Lions – 12/13, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Matthew Stafford’s last game vs the Packers as a Lion?
Stafford isn’t getting any younger, and after his season-ending back injury last season, the Lions could be in a position to draft a new franchise quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. If Detroit does opt to select a new QB, then December 13th’s matchup between the Packers and Lions could be the last time that Stafford plays Green Bay as a member of the Lions.
Packers vs. Panthers – 12/19 OR 12/20, TIME TBD
Biggest headline: Teddy Bridgewater returns to Lambeau
Bridgewater has only played at Lambeau Field once, but it was a game that Packer fans don’t want to remember. On January 3rd, 2016, Bridgewater led the Vikings to a 20-13 victory that clinched the NFC North title for Minnesota.
Now, in the 2020 season, the former Louisville quarterback will return to Green Bay as the starting quarterback for the Panthers.
Packers vs. Titans – 12/27, 7:20 PM CT
Biggest headline: Matchup of the runner-ups
Both of these teams were one game away from winning their conference and making it to Super Bowl 54. The Packers were dominated by the 49ers in the NFC title game and the Titans could not keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC title game.
This will also be the first time that Matt LaFleur faces his former team as the head coach of the Packers.
Packers at Bears – 01/05, 12:00 PM CT
Biggest headline: Packers face Bears in another high-stakes January matchup
Anytime that the Packers and the Bears face off the game is high-stakes. But January football between these two storied franchises takes it to another level.
The last time that the Packers closed their season against the Bears on the road, Randall Cobb hauled in a 48 yard touchdown to take down Chicago and clinch the NFC North title for Green Bay.
We have no idea how the Packers or Bears will have performed up to this point, but even if both teams have had less than impressive regular seasons, this game will still mean something. The winner of this matchup will earn bragging rights for a whole offseason.