Dairyland Express
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: Ranking 2018 games from least to most difficult

By Adam Ziobrowski

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers watches his team against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers watches his team against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 9
Next
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 31: Devante Mays #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball while be chased by Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 31, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 31: Devante Mays #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball while be chased by Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 31, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. team. 51. . . . Los Angeles Rams

Week 8 at Los Angeles

I’m not sure the Rams have fielded a team this good since the Greatest Show on Turf from 1999-2001.

They have a top-five offense to go along with their top-five defense, both led by one of the best young coaches in the game, Sean McVay. To make matters worse for the Packers, the Rams added Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to their already dominant secondary. Ndamukong Suh also took is talents to the city of angels to create a monster defensive line along with Aaron Donald.

Jared Goff had a breakout season last year, one that many would expect from a former top draft pick. He noticeably became comfortable with receivers Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Pharoh Cooper last season. None of the three will blow your brains away, however, Goff has created chemistry with them which can be just as dangerous as possessing a Julio Jones or Antonio Brown.

The Packers secondary may have their best shot against the Rams in terms of containing their receivers than against any other top team they face this season.

Behind Goff is a top-five running back, Todd Gurley, who can create nightmares for the Packers defense in the run and pass game.

As for the Packers offense against the Rams defense, taking advantage of blown coverages or mismatches is key. The Rams don’t give many yards or points away for free, so taking advantage of those opportunities if they come is huge.

What’s huge here is that the Packers will play the Rams after their bye week. The more time to prepare for the Rams, the better.

Outside of the Vikings, the Rams will cause the most havoc for the Packers.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 15: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings reaches for a first down while being tackled by Lenzy Pipkins #41 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 15: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings reaches for a first down while being tackled by Lenzy Pipkins #41 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

60. . . . Minnesota Vikings . 1. team

Week 12 at Minnesota

Playing the Vikings week two at home is hard enough. Playing them week 12 in Minnesota on Sunday night is a whole new ballgame.

Such as with the Lions and the Bears, not much changes in terms of the teams. Home or away, the players and matchups stay the same unless injury occurs.

What does change is the venue and the implications.

As we all remember, the last time the Packers traveled to Minnesota, Rodgers was injured. Himself and the rest of the Packers certainly remember this. Vikings fans will be louder than ever as this game is the last time the two play on the season.

Oh yea, the whole nation will be watching on NBC, too.

Now, the Packers will have some extra time to rest and prepare for this game as they play the Seahawks on Thursday night during week 11. Even still, when facing a divisional opponent both teams know what they are getting into. So, the extra time between games is more so to rest than it is to prepare to the max.

With the game also being played in week 12, division implications will be on the line. A win could mean the head-to-head tiebreaker if the division ends in a tie. A loss could mean the wild card and tougher road to the Super Bowl for either team.

So as the Vikings are hard enough to face in their own right, the timing and logistics of this game make them all the more difficult. With all due respect to the rest of the Packers 2018-19 opponents, this week 12 game at Minnesota will be the hardest game the Packers will play in all season.

Home/Green Bay Packers