Green Bay Packers: 5 toughest games on the 2019 schedule

2. Week 16 @ Minnesota Vikings

In Week 16, Green Bay will likely be jostling for playoff position, and they could be battling this Vikings team for those positions. Both teams missed out on the playoffs last year, and they’ll be wanting to fix that next season. The NFC North could send three teams to the playoffs, but it could come down to whoever wins this game. If Green Bay loses this game, that could cost them the tiebreaker in regards to who will be playing in January.

Minnesota presents matchup problems in the passing game, especially if Green Bay’s defensive backs fail to take the next step. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs both had monster games against them last year. Dalvin Cook, when healthy, is one of the best dual-threat running backs in the NFL. Green Bay’s run defense struggled down the stretch last year, and they need to make that improvement.

Division winners go to the playoffs, and doing better against your divisional opponents means you’re more likely to win your division. The NFC North is good enough to where the division winner might not be decided until Week 17. On the road in Week 16 against a division rival, Green Bay will have their hands full to get this game in their column.