Ultimatley, wins and losses are determined by how each team performs on the field that particular day. However, there are other factors outside of performance that, to varying degrees, can affect each of the Green Bay Packers matchups this season.
Some of these factors include running into a team while they are playing either really well or really poorly. Injuries also come into play, as does the layout of a team’s schedule–which for the Packers, will present some challenges early on.
Green Bay begins the season on the road against Minnesota, where they have won just one time since 2016. It’s also reasonable to expect the offense to begin the season a bit slowly as they adjust to life without Davante Adams.
In Week 3, the Packers are back on the road, traveling to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Green Bay is 0-2 against Brady in Tampa, and for whatever reason, Rodgers and the Packers have really struggled in the state of Florida over his career.
Now, it’s important to note that these past results have zero bearing on the 2022 season, but it is noteworthy.
Then beginning in Week 5, the Packers hit the road, playing only one game at Lambeau Field between Weeks 5 and 9. They begin by traveling across the pond to take on the New York Giants in London. The following week, Green Bay doesn’t have a bye but rather returns home for a matchup with the New York Jets.
The Packers end up back on the road following that matchup for a three-game stretch where they play at Washington, at Buffalo, and at Detroit. Even in Week 10 when they return home for a Sunday Night game with Dallas, the Cowboys will be coming off their bye week while the Packers are completing a road marathon.
With that many road games early on in the season, the good news is that the Packers do get to end the season at home with three of their final four games coming at Lambeau Field.
Of course, staying healthy and fresh is always an important element for any NFL team, but for the Green Bay Packers, who will be doing a lot of traveling and don’t have their bye until Week 14, there are going to be few opportunities early on in the season for them rest.
Overall, the Packers have the 11th easiest schedule on paper, according to the NFL, but as Tim Bliss, a data scientist with the NFL, notes that when it comes to rest, Green Bay has the most disadvantageous schedule in the league with a number of their opponents having additional rest days prior to their matchup.
Again, on game day, all that matters is how Green Bay performs on the field. However, some difficult road games, a lot of travel, and a lack of rest are additional factors that the Packers will have to contend with.