Green Bay Packers 2019 schedule observations
By Paul Bretl
The 2019 schedule has been released for the Green Bay Packers and there are some important takeaways as we get our first look at it.
Before the NFL schedule was released, we already knew who the Green Bay Packers 2019 opponents were going to be, but just as important is when and where they would face each of those teams.
While it may not seem like a big deal to some, when and where you play an opponent could have a huge impact on your season, especially for the Packers with a new coaching staff taking over. For instance, in 2018 Green Bay had a tough stretch of games out of their bye week that ultimately sealed their fate as a non-playoff team.
Here is the full 2019 schedule for the Green Bay Packers:
It is always tough this far out to predict just how the season will end up based on the schedule, but there are still some key takeaways to keep in mind even with the season being a handful of months away.
Observations
- With more uncertainty entering this season than there has been in recent years, getting off to a good start for this Green Bay Packers team and the coaching staff is going to be incredibly important.
- I have never liked the idea of any team opening up their season with two consecutive divisional games, but for the second year in a row, the Green Bay Packers will be doing just that. In what will likely be a tight NFC North race, tiebreakers matter, and having two HUGE games in the first two weeks of the season with a new coaching staff is not my ideal start to the year.
- With that said, having these matchups this early in the season could play into Green Bay’s hands as there will really be no film on this new Matt LaFleur offense. While they will be difficult games, if the Packers can start 2-0, that could create some huge momentum heading into the remainder of the season.
- Five of the first seven games of the year are at home, which will be nice for Matt LaFleur as a new coach. Green Bay has some of the best home-field advantage out of any NFL team, so having that extra edge for a rookie head coach early on in the season will go a long way.
- In recent memory, Green Bay is a team that always has plenty of prime time games, and nothing is new this year with five games total that will be played under the bright lights.
- Green Bay will have five games in the month of December, but just two of them will be at Lambeau Field. The elements of northeastern Wisconsin that time of the year is a huge advantage for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers, so having fewer games at home that time of the year is not what I wanted to see.
- Whether it’s for a Wildcard spot or for the NFC North title, if the Packers are in playoff contention the final weeks, they will have four of their final six games on the road, including the last two games at Minnesota and Detroit. Both of which are places that they have struggled in as of late.
- The toughest stretch for Green Bay will be the three weeks prior to their bye where they will play Kansas City and Los Angeles on the road and then they will be home for Carolina. All three of which should be playoff contenders this season.
- Out of the bye, Green Bay should be able to get hot as they head into the final weeks of the season. With two weeks to prepare for San Fransisco and then the Giants and Redskins in the following weeks, those are all games that they should be able to win even with all of the changes that have taken place.
Be sure to give us your thoughts below or find us on Twitter at @DairylandXpress and let us know what you see as a positive or something that you’re concerned about when it comes to the Green Bay Packers schedule!