We're Baaaaaaack! And We Bring You...the Packers 2017 Schedule

We've had a long offseason, Packers fans. In fact, as you may have noticed, we haven't posted since the NFC Championship Game. Yes, it was...not good. But that was then. This is now. And by this, we mean looking forward to the upcoming 2017 season.

So it is with great pleasure that we bring you the official 2017 Packers schedule (with kudos to ThePackerPage for the graphic).

What do you think? We'll be back with some thoughts on this schedule once we have a chance to digest it a bit.

What to make of the Packers 2015 schedule?

The Green Bay Packers and their fans learned about the 2015 schedule on Tuesday evening. Actually, bits and pieces started to leak out before the evening NFL announcement, particularly the fact that the game at which the Pack will retire former QB Brett Favre's number will be a Thanksgiving evening game against Da Bears. What could be better? Oh, and that home Thanksgiving game will be the first such game the team has played since 1923. If memory serves, that was just four years after the founding of the Packers and just two years after the team joined the fledgling National Football League (then called the American Professional Football Association). Yowza!

Photo of Brett Favre from officialbrettfavre.com
So...there's that. Actually, Favre's number will be officially "retired" at his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame on July 18. The Thanksgiving ceremony will see that number go up inside Lambeau Field. Favre's name and number will go up alongside such legendary names as Bart Starr, Tony Canadeo, Don Hutson, Ray Nitschke and Reggie White. See Favre announce the number retirement on his SQOR page here.

Back to the schedule...upon full release we found the following schedule (you can also always find the Packers 2015 schedule in our "Links" area in the righthand column):

PRESEASON
(WEEK DATE OPPONENT KICKOFF TV)

• 1 - Thursday, August 13 at New England Patriots 6:30 p.m. state
• 2 - Sunday, August 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers 7 p.m. state
• 3 - Saturday, August 29 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (Midwest Shrine Game - GOLD PKG.) 7 p.m. state
• 4 - Thursday, September 3 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (Bishop's Charities Game) 6 p.m. state

REGULAR SEASON
(WEEK DATE OPPONENT KICKOFF TV)

• 1 - Sunday, September 13 at Chicago Bears 12 p.m. FOX
• 2 - Sunday, September 20 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7:30 p.m. NBC
• 3 - Monday, September 28 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (GOLD PKG.) 7:30 p.m. ESPN
• 4 - Sunday, October 4 at San Francisco 49ers 3:25 p.m. FOX
• 5 - Sunday, October 11 ST. LOUIS RAMS *12 p.m. CBS
• 6 - Sunday, October 18 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS *3:25 p.m. CBS
• 7 - Sunday, October 25 BYE
  
• 8 - Sunday, November 1 at Denver Broncos *7:30 p.m. NBC
• 9 - Sunday, November 8 at Carolina Panthers *12 p.m. FOX
• 10 - Sunday, November 15 DETROIT LIONS (GOLD PKG.) *12 p.m. FOX
• 11 - Sunday, November 22 at Minnesota Vikings *12 p.m. FOX
• 12 - Thursday, November 26 CHICAGO BEARS (Thanksgiving - BRETT FAVRE NUMBER RETIREMENT CEREMONY) 7:30 p.m. NBC
• 13 - Thursday, December 3 at Detroit Lions 7:25 p.m. CBS/NFL
• 14 - Sunday, December 13 DALLAS COWBOYS *3:25 p.m. FOX
• 15 - Sunday, December 20 at Oakland Raiders *3:05 p.m. FOX
• 16 - Sunday, December 27 at Arizona Cardinals *3:25 p.m. FOX
• 17 - Sunday, January 3 MINNESOTA VIKINGS *12 p.m. FOX

* Start time and broadcast may shift due to NFL flexible scheduling ** All times are Central

What's the early take on the schedule?

The ESPN pundits have the Packers winning the NFC North Division with an 11-5 record. They have the ViQueens coming in second at 9-7, the Lions being their middling selves at 8-8 and Da Bears bringing up the rear at 7-9. To the last we can only say (in best Seinfeld voice), that's a shame. If you want to see what ESPN's Packers reporter, Rob Demovsky, predicts game-by-game, you can do so here.

For yours truly, it's far too soon to make the game-by-game picks. And actually, regular readers of this blog will know we don't make game-by-game picks anyway, at least prior to the start of the season; we do make weekly game picks during the regular season. Instead, just prior to the start of the season -- after we've had a look at the team in preseason, know who is on the roster, what the injury status is, etc. -- we make our season win-loss prediction by breaking the season up into quarters. It's just an easier way for this prognosticator to look at the season as a whole. And we've typically been pretty darn close in our season projections. So come back in early September for that post. OK, if you'd care to, please stop back in more often, before then, because we'll have a lot more coming in the days, weeks and months ahead. In fact, next up will be commentary on the upcoming NFL Draft. Lots of fun in store. Stick with us.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers 2014 Schedule - Play NFL Kickoff Game at Seattle

At long last, Packers fans, we have the official NFL release of the 2014 regular season schedule. And finally, something for yours truly to write about.

Home opponents are shown in all CAPS and all times shown are Central Time. Times with an asterisk (*) may shift, along with TV carrier, due to NFL flexible scheduling.

So, without further ado...

DATE	OPPONENT	KICKOFF TIME	TV
Thurs. Sept. 4	at Seattle Seahawks	7:30 p.m.	NBC
Sun. Sept. 14	NY JETS	3:25 p.m.	CBS
Sun. Sept. 21	at Detroit Lions	Noon	Fox
Sun. Sept. 28	at Chicago Bears	Noon	Fox
Thurs. Oct. 2	MINNESOTA VIKINGS (Gold Pkg.)	7:25 p.m.	CBS
Sun. Oct. 12	at Miami Dolphins	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Oct. 19	CAROLINA PANTHERS	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Oct. 26	at New Orleans Saints	7:30 p.m.*	NBC
Sun. Nov. 2	BYE WEEK
Sun. Nov. 9	CHICAGO BEARS	7:30 p.m.*	NBC
Sun. Nov. 16	PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (Gold Pkg.)	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Nov. 23	at Minnesota Vikings	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Nov. 30	NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	3:25 p.m.*	CBS
Mon. Dec. 8	ATLANTA FALCONS	7:30 p.m.	ESPN
Sun. Dec. 14	at Buffalo Bills	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Dec. 21	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Noon*	Fox
Sun. Dec. 28	DETROIT LIONS	Noon*	Fox

What's the initial take?

Immediate reaction: the first eight weeks before the bye will be key to setting up the second half of the season for the Packers. Nothing too revelatory about that statement. Applies generally, doesn't it? But this first half is going to be extra tough as the Pack plays only three of their first eight games at home. Yikes. Of course, the second half of the season gives the team the flip side of that arrangement: five games at home and three on the road. Guess that's the way you'd prefer things, all things considered.

Starting on the road against the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks is going to be a tough one. But perhaps it's better to get them early. Plus the Packers need to get revenge for the "Fail Mary" game the last time they played in Seattle. At least the referees will know what they are doing this time. (Bitter? Moi? Over that game two years ago? Darn right!)

Then back home to meet the Jets before heading out for back-to-back games against divisional opponents and then back to Lambeau Field for a third consecutive divisional game.

As noted earlier, only three home games in the first eight. The bye comes at a very good time. But any rest advantage against Da Bearz is out the window as Chicago also has its bye during that same Week 9.

If the Packers get things rolling and can emerge fairly unscathed from the first half of the season, the second half should set things up for a good divisional run...and beyond.

More thoughts will no doubt emerge with further reflection. But for now, let's say it together: GO PACK GO!!!

Packers 2013 Season Preview

On the eve of the Green Bay Packers first regular season game of the 2013 NFL season against the team many believe will not only be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl but its winner, the San Francisco 49ers, we take a look ahead to the entire season.

Now, unlike some bloggers and pundits who will analyze every game and give you their win-lose score for each of the upcoming 16 games, yours truly takes a different approach. One which has served well over the past seasons. We break the season down by quarters and see how things could go. Each season has an ebb and flow to it based upon more than just the opponent. There's also the overall schedule to consider, the order in which a particular team will appear as the opponent, who the Packers play away and who the team plays at home. That sort of thing.

Now, do I take a look at all sorts of stats to arrive at my prediction? Nope. Don't have time to do that. Nor the inclination. This prediction is far less science than art...and that's using the term "art" quite loosely. "Guess" might be more accurate. Which, if you really think about it, dear reader, makes what you are about to read just about as good as anyone else's prediction.

So, without further ado, here we go.

2013 First Quarter: Sept. 8 - Oct. 6
This actually covers the first five weeks of the regular season, as the Packers -- quite atypically compared to recent years -- have their bye week in Week 4...not great.

Anyway, the sequence of teams for this quarter of the season is:

• Sept. 8 - 49ers - Away
• Sept. 15 - Redskins - Home
• Sept. 22 - Bengals - Away
• Week 4 - Bye Week
• Oct. 6 - Lions - Home

Looking at this portion of the schedule, the Packers will go 3-1. The most likely loss will be the first game of the season against the 49ers. The Packers, at this writing, are 4.5-point underdogs. Everyone is figuring that the Niners have the stronger roster across the board and that QB Colin Kaepernick will do the same thing to the Pack he did last season in the playoff game. The Packers are tired of hearing about that, as much as they may claim that that was all last season and this is a new season blah blah blah. The Packers defense has had all off season and training camp to prepare for Kaepernick. If they can generally make him work more out of the pocket than scamper they will be in the game...if the Pack's reconfigured offensive line can open a few holes for Eddie Lacy and also protect Aaron Rodgers, that is. In some ways, while there are many unknowns on both sides of the ball at this stage of things, this might be the best opportunity for the Packers to beat the Niners. If. Lots of ifs in this first game. More on this in our game preview which we will post tomorrow. So check back for that Sunday before the game.

As to the other games, especially if the Packers lose the opener, I'd expect three wins, with two of the three games played at Lambeau Field.

That's how we get to 3-1 for this portion of the schedule.

Second Quarter: Oct. 13 - Nov. 4

• Oct. 13 - Ravens - Away
• Oct. 20 - Browns - Home
• Oct. 27 - Vikings - Away
• Nov. 4 - Bears - Home

In this portion of the schedule, it seems more than likely that the Packers will go either 3-1 or 2-2...in the latter scenario, which two games will be wins and which will be losses is almost a toss up, with the exception of the Browns game which will go in the win column.

Third Quarter: Nov. 10 - Nov. 28

• Nov. 10 - Eagles - Home
• Nov. 17 - Giants - Away
• Nov. 24 - Vikings - Home
• Nov. 28 - Lions - Away

Note that with the exception of Da Bearz, the Packers will have played both the Vikings and Lions twice at this point of the season. That part of the division competition will be complete, with only the final game of the season against Da Bearz in Chicago remaining.

We're figuring that Packers will go 3-1 in this third quarter of the season, with the Giants as the more probable loss.

Fourth Quarter: Dec. 8 - Dec. 29

• Dec.8 - Falcons - Home
• Dec. 15 - Cowboys - Away
• Dec. 22 - Steelers - Home
• Dec. 29 - Bears - Away

The league saved some of the best -- and most difficult -- of the games for the final quarter of the schedule. At this point of the season, without a bye since Week 4 of the season, the Packers will either be healthy and pretty much a lock for the playoffs or a tired and beat-up patchwork bunch trying to squeak in. But many teams, including perhaps all of the opponents in these four games, will be in the same boat.

The expectation here is that the Pack will go 2-2 in this final stretch of the season although, again, which games will be wins and which losses...too hard to say at this point. Check back for each game preview as the season goes on.

Bottom line: Packers 11-5 or 10-6
I know, that's a bit of a fudge factor there, but at least it's reasonable...or at least honest. And you can judge for yourself how the Packers will fare through each quarter of the season.

At 11-5, the Packers win the NFC North division and are into the playoffs as a division winner not as a wildcard. If they go 10-6, the Pack will still win the division but will not have as favorable a route through the playoffs.

Still, I'm projecting the Packers and Seahawks meet in the NFC Championship.

However the Pack gets there, though, that brings us to...

The Super Bowl Prediction

In reading and listening to all the various prognostications and at how the oddsmakers are setting things up at this moment, it seems as if the favorites in the NFC are the 49ers, followed by the Seahawks, followed by the Packers.

Well, it may be a bit of a homer thing, but the prediction here for the Super Bowl teams are: the Packers and the Denver Broncos. Winner? What are you, goofy? The Green Bay Packers!!!

Football season and the road to the Super Bowl starts for the Packers in less than 24 hours. Go Pack Go!!!

Packers 2013 Schedule Bookended with 49ers and Bears

Yes! The 2013 regular season NFL schedule has just been released, and it brings with it the sixth most difficult schedule for the Green Bay Packers based upon strength of opponent. The Pack opens at San Francisco on Sept. 8 and closes the season at Chicago on Dec. 29. The schedule also has something this season that has been fairly unusual in recent years for the Packers: an early season bye, coming in week number 4 on Sept. 29. Not great.

What does the rest of the schedule look like? Almost a week-to-week home and away sequence of games, with the exception of two home games back to back against Da Bearz and the Eagles on November 4 and 10. Frankly, it seems in some ways very fair from the lack of back-to-back games which have often been the case for the Pack, sometimes even three away games in a row. On the other hand, the schedule does seem a bit odd because of the way it sets up. At least to this point of view.

There are three Sunday night games, one Monday night game and one Thursday game -- Thanksgiving Day against, of course, the Lions. (You just gotta love the Turkey Day tradition with that game. I know I do.) Six games on the schedule are listed as being subject to the league's flexible scheduling policy where the start time may change...depending.

As to the flow of the games, the opponents, the early bye week...it seems to this writer that this is going to be a very challenging schedule for the Packers. There's no gimmee game to be had anywhere...well, OK, maybe the Browns at Lambeau Field on October 20. That should be a win...had better be a win.

It will take a bit more time, however, to reflect upon the schedule before making a season win-loss record prediction. In fact, you'll have to check back the week before the season starts for that prediction. We'll need to see who the Packers draft next week and players they pick up along the way, as well as how injuries in the preseason may affect the season. There's time.

But in the meantime, take a look at the schedule and see what you think. We also have a link to a printable PDF of the schedule here. Enjoy, Packer fans!

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers' 2012 schedule released

Ah, yes, the smell of a fresh schedule is in the air! Let the games begin. Well, the preseason games will begin Thursday, Aug. 9 at San Diego. Actually, all the preseason games are on Thursday this year, and all against AFC opponents. The regular season starts a month later, at Lambeau, versus the 49ers in a 3:15 p.m. Sunday game.

The Packers will appear five times in primetime night games, which is the most allowed to any team. They open the season with three out of their four first games at home, but then play only once at home in both October and November. The bye week for the Packers comes this year during Week #10, November 11. Prior to that date, they have the Cardinals at Lambeau and then come out of the bye on the road against the Lions. The Packers finish the season with five games in December, three of which are at home. The Pack finishes the regular season against the ViQueens in the Humpty Dump...or wherever that team is playing this year.

We'll ponder what the implications of this schedule may be over the weeks and months ahead.

For now, here's your schedule, week by week. You can also always find the link in the righthand column under, appropriately, the "Links" heading. If you want a PDF version, you can grab one here, courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Go Pack Go!!!

Sept. 9 - 49ers, 3:15

Sept. 13 - Bears, 7:20

Sept. 24 - at Seahawks, 7:30

Sept. 30 - Saints, 3:15

Oct. 7 - at Colts, noon

Oct. 14 - at Texans, 7:20

Oct. 21 - at Rams, noon

Oct. 28 - Jaguars, noon

Nov. 4 - Cardinals, noon

Nov. 11 - Bye

Nov. 18 - at Lions, noon

Nov. 25 - at Giants, 7:20

Dec. 2 - Vikings, noon

Dec. 9 - Lions, 7:20

Dec. 16 - at Bears, noon

Dec. 23 - Titans, noon

Dec. 30 - at Vikings, noon

Packers 2012 home and away games announced

While we won't know the actual NFL schedule for the upcoming season until the end of this month, the NFL was kind enough to release the home and away games for each team. We obviously already know that we play our NFC North division opponents. But what about the other games? Here's how things are going to fall, in no particular order, for the Green Bay Packers in the 2012 regular season:

Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.

Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts.

The season will open with the Super Bowl Champion Giants playing at home against an as-yet unnamed opponent. It could very well be the Packers, but it's not a lock. This game will occur on a Wednesday, Sept. 5, instead of the usual Thursday opener. The reason? It was moved so as not to conflict with the last day of the Democratic National Convention and a likely primetime speech by President Obama.

Now, I seem to recall already seeing a NBC promotion for the Packers hosting the Saints at Lambeau Field for the first actual Thursday night game of the season. Given that the Saints are on the home schedule, this seems like a fit. Which begs the question: could this season start with the Pack kicking off things away versus the Giants and then at home the following week against the Saints, with then about a 10-day break until game #3? Could be. And might not be all bad. Often better to catch some of the better teams early in the season rather than late. Of course, other teams could say the same about playing the Packers, too.

Anyway, the season is no cakewalk. The NFC North, with the exception of the hapless ViQueens, will be better than last season, with both Da Bearz and Lions making some roster moves. And the rest of the schedule is enough to also look at each game as a battle.

It's obviously too far from the start of the season to have a feel for how things could go. But you just know that it's going to be one heckuva ride regardless.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers 2011 schedule announced: kickoff vs. Saints

The NFL has officially released the 2011 regular season schedule for the Green Bay Packers and the league's other 31 teams. The jury -- or at least, the mediator -- is still out as to whether, in fact, there will actually be a complete NFL season in 2011. But you have to admire the league's optimism.

In the meantime, we can revel in the schedule, start making observations, predictions, etc. Combined with the upcoming draft late next week, it gives us a moment to be hopeful about the state of the NFL despite the current money issues separating the millionaires from the billionaires (please excuse the slight editorial comment there).

Schedule Highlights
The Packers begin the regular season by facing their predecessor as Super Bowl Champs, the Saints, at Lambeau Field in the NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday Sept. 8. Many would have no doubt preferred a rematch with Da Bearz to kick things off (yours truly included), but the likely national draw in seeing the last two Super Bowl winners go head-to-head was probably too much for the NFL and their TV partner to turn down.

A highlight of sorts is the three-games-in-11-days stretch the Pack has against the ViQueens, the Buccaneers and the Lions in mid-November. Another quirk of the schedule is that four of the Packers' six NFC North games occur after their bye week, which occurs in week 8 of the schedule. And for as much as the Packers of last season really liked the fast track of playing indoors, especially late in the season, this year...not so much; at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day will be the last dome game for the Pack. The guys better get very comfortable at being a great cold weather team because that's generally what they are going to be dealing with in the second half of the season.

Oh, one other interesting little piece of trivia for you regarding the schedule: according to the league, the Packers are the first time in NFL history to play on Thanksgiving (at Detroit), Christmas (home vs. Da Bearz) and New Year's Day (home vs. the Lions) during the same season.

As expected, there are lots of prime time games for the Champs. It's going to be a great year to be a Packers fan. But let's be honest: what year isn't, right? Right!

Here ya go, kids. Enjoy! (Home games in bold italics.)

Preseason

• Saturday, August 13, 6:30 p.m. at Cleveland Browns
• Friday, August 19, 7 p.m. vs. Arizona Cardinals
• Friday, August 26, 7 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts
• Thursday, September 1, 7 p.m. vs Kansas City Chiefs

Regular Season

• Thursday, September 8, 7:30 p.m. vs. New Orleans Saints - NBC
• Sunday, September 18, noon at Carolina Panthers - FOX
• Sunday, September 25, 3:15 p.m. at Chicago Bears - FOX
• Sunday, October 2, 3:15 p.m. vs. Denver Broncos - CBS (Gold package-Milwaukee ticketholder game)
• Sunday, October 9, 7:20 p.m. at Atlanta Falcons - NBC
• Sunday, October 16, noon vs. St. Louis Rams - FOX
• Sunday, October 23, 3:15 p.m. at Minnesota Vikings - FOX
• Sunday, October 30 Open Date / bye week
• Sunday, November 6, 3:15 p.m. at San Diego Chargers - FOX
• Monday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. vs. Minnesota Vikings - ESPN
• Sunday, November 20, noon* vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - FOX (Gold package-Milwaukee ticketholder game)
• Thursday, November 24, 11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at Detroit Lions - FOX
• Sunday, December 4, 3:15 p.m.* at New York Giants - FOX
• Sunday, December 11, noon* vs. Oakland Raiders - CBS
• Sunday, December 18, noon* at Kansas City Chiefs - FOX
• Sunday, December 25, 7:20 p.m. Christmas Day vs. Chicago Bears - NBC
• Sunday, January 1, noon* vs. Detroit Lions - FOX

Those times notated with an asterisk (*) are designated as part of the league's flex schedule, meaning the league may change the start time.

If you want a downloadable PDF of the Packers 2011 schedule, just click here. You can also always find the schedule in the righthand column Links area of this site.

If there's football in 2011, here's the Pack's schedule

Assuming that football is played in 2011, the Green Bay Packers will have the following home and away schedule (as determined by the NFL):

HOME: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Denver, Oakland, NFC West second-place team (still to be determined).

AWAY: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, San Diego, New York Giants.

As the article in the Green Bay Press Gazette notes, "By the rotation, the Packers were actually supposed to play at San Diego and have Kansas City at home, but the NFL separated Oakland and San Diego, so that teams playing the AFC West don’t have two long flights to California in the same season."

Go Pack Go!!! In 2010...and beyond!

Packers 2010 schedule released - rumblin' time's just around the corner!

We now know the dates and times of the home and away schedule the Packers will be playing come this Fall. Get ready to set aside a few Sunday evenings, a Monday night, and at least two "second game" time slots -- at least six nationally televised games...but don't worry, your Thanksgiving is clear. You know, so you can spend more time with the family rather than watching football. Yeah...I know...sorry. But at least you get to spend New Year's weekend watching the Pack pummel Da Bearz to close out the regular season as they get set for the playoffs.

Anyway, on with the schedule! Home games are in bold. All times are Central.

Sun., Sept. 12 @ Philadelphia Eagles 3:15 p.m. FOX
Sun., Sept. 19 Buffalo Bills 12:00 p.m. CBS
Mon., Sept. 27 @ Chicago Bears 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Sun., Oct. 3 Detroit Lions (Gold Pkg.) 12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Oct. 10 @ Washington Redskins 12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Oct. 17 Miami Dolphins 12:00 p.m. CBS
Sun., Oct. 24 Minnesota Vikings 7:20 p.m. NBC
Sun., Oct. 31 @ New York Jets 12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Nov. 7 Dallas Cowboys (Gold Pkg.) 7:20 p.m. NBC

Sun., Nov. 14 Open Date

Sun., Nov. 21 @ Minnesota Vikings *12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Nov. 28 @ Atlanta Falcons *12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Dec. 5 San Francisco 49ers *12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Dec. 12 @ Detroit Lions *12:00 p.m. FOX
Sun., Dec. 19 @ New England Patriots *7:20 p.m. NBC
Sun., Dec. 26 New York Giants *3:15 p.m. FOX
Sun., Jan. 2 Chicago Bears *12:00 p.m. FOX

* Start time may shift due to NFL flexible scheduling.

For further insight and trivia into the schedule, check out the Packers' take on things here.

Must See Games
For true Packer fans, of course, every game is a must see game. But for professional sports writers, such as Sport Illustrated's Dan Banks, he must pick and choose. And that's what he's done. In today's Inside the NFL column, Banks lists 17 games on the just-released NFL schedule that are must-sees for him.

He has the Packers listed at #6. Here's what he says:
"6. Minnesota at Green Bay, Week 7. You can never make it seem like the first time all over again, but the specter of Favre going back into Lambeau Field again will still get our attention. The Packers owe their former quarterback a loss or two after last season's Minnesota sweep, and the QB duel between Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and Favre is reason enough to care about this Sunday night showdown. It should just about be getting chilly in Wisconsin by the time this one rolls around. The rematch is less than a month later in Minnesota in Week 11."

Banks has the ViQueens listed four times in total. Obviously, as per his comments above, he's betting -- as most are -- that Ol' #4 will be suiting up again this Fall. Otherwise, c'mon, would Tavaris Jackson get this kind of coverage? Not a chance.

You can read about all of Banks' must-see games here.

Packers 2010 schedule coming Tuesday

Just ahead of the fan frenzy that is now the three-day NFL Draft extravaganza, the NFL will announce team schedules on Tuesday, April 20. The preseason schedule and times were set the last week, and come Tuesday we will know the Pack's schedule versus the team's designated opponents.

For those needing a refresher, here are the Packers' 2010 Home and Away opponents:

Home
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins

Away
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
Atlanta Falcons
New England Patriots
New York Jets

Wayne Larrivee's draft prognostications
The radio voice of the Green Bay Packers, Wayne Larrivee, spoke on flagship station 620WTMJ (Milwaukee) this morning about this year's NFL Draft. His opinion is that it is not as deep overall as many media types suggest. Still, he said in the areas that the Packers have needs, good options should exist. In particular, he said offensive tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback are the areas where the Packers will need to bolster the roster...in short, pretty much what everyone knows.

Where his comments became very interesting, however, was the order in which Larrivee thought the Pack's first picks might fall. Rather than the conventional wisdom of selecting an offensive tackle with their first round pick (assuming the Pack stays at #23 rather than tradiing out of it, which could also be a real possibility given GM Ted Thompson's tendencies), Larrivee said he believed the Packers would select an outside linebacker to provide a pass rushing complement to last year's draft sensation, Clay Matthews. Larrivee then said the Pack would address their offensive tackle needs in the second round.

This does seem to make sense as there is a greater opportunity for an outside linebacker to make an immediate impact, as Matthews did. A rookie offensive tackle will sit behind Chad Clifton or Mark Tauscher to learn the trade, and perhaps won't have the possibility of starting for at least another year. Given that scenario, and the apparent equality of tackle prospects beyond those that will likely go in the first 20 picks, Larrivee's scenario might indeed be the one that plays out.

On the other hand, it could also very well be that the Packers would pop for a cornerback in the second round -- or even first -- if one of their key targets is still on the board. There are several good corner prospects in which the Packers would no doubt have interest. A few could not only provide key backup support initially -- or perhaps move into a starting spot depending upon how 35-year-old Al Harris returns from his injury -- but also have kick/punt return capabilities as well, which is also something the Packers have needed for about the last decade now.

Ah, the draft...great to be able to start talking and thinking football again, isn't it, kids? You bet!

Packers exhibition game times set

While the opponents for the Packers preseason schedule were known within the last few weeks, the exact game dates and times were still not nailed down.

Now they are. And here ya go...

• Cleveland Browns, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Lambeau Field (Gold ticket package)

• Seattle Seahawks, 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Qwest Field

• Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at Lambeau Field

• Kansas City Chiefs, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at Arrowhead Stadium

Packers 2010 preseason schedule announced

The NFL announced the Packers preseason schedule today, although exact dates and times are still to be determined except for the nationally televised game #3 versus the Colts:

Aug. 12-16 - Home
CLEVELAND BROWNS (Gold pkg.)
Midwest Shrine Game
TV: WFRV/state

Aug. 19-23 - Away
at Seattle Seahawks
TV: WFRV/state

Aug. 26 - 7 p.m. - Home
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Bishop's Charities Game
TV: ESPN

Sept. 2-3 - Away
at Kansas City Chiefs
TV: WFRV/state

You can read more about the schedule at the Packers' site, here.

Packers enter the home stretch

Currently sitting with a 7-4 record and in prime position for a wildcard spot in the playoffs, the Packers need to win at least 3 of their next 5 games to likely secure such a spot. Two games are home, three away, with two of the latter being back-to-back. Four out of the five will be played in cold winter conditions; the final game of the season is a warm weather respite on Jan. 3 at Arizona.

So, let's take a brief look at each of the games and what the likelihood of each outcome might be.

The first game of this home stretch is Monday night at Lambeau Field versus the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens pulled out a 20-17 overtime victory Sunday evening versus a Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers to go to 6-5 on the season. After this tough overtime win, and despite the presence of Ray Lewis on defense, the Packers should be able to win this game at home in a tough one. The Ravens have good offensive weapons, but the Packers now have -- believe it or not -- the number 1 overall defense in the league. The current spread on the game favors the Pack by 3. Check back the day of the game for my score prediction.

Next up on Dec. 13 is Da Bearz at the Mistake by the Lake, otherwise known as Soldier Field. If Da Bearz really wanted to honor our soldiers they would just not bother showing up at all. But the dysfunctional Bearz will take the field. Don't know the spread of this game yet. Should be something like favorite son Al Bundy's bajillion points or so, though, in favor of the Pack don't you think?

The following week brings the second of the back-to-back road games, this one at Pittsburgh. Unless Roethlisberger gets dinged again, expect him to be under center at game time. This will be a close one, and if the Packers stumble this would seem to be one of the likely candidates. The Steelers should be coming off wins at home over Oakland and on the road at Cleveland. Geesh, could it get any easier? Anyway, more on this game as it nears, obviously.

Two days after Christmas, the Pack takes on the Seahawks at home. The Seahawks are having a miserable season and this game should go in the "W" column for the Pack.

The final game of the regular season, as noted earlier, comes Jan. 3 at Arizona. The Cardinals are a team that is difficult to assess, especially looking ahead five games. Whether or not QB Kurt Warner will be available and healthy at that time will obviously be a factor. But this is definitely not the team that made it to the Super Bowl last season.

So, there's the rundown on the upcoming games with some very early and cursory views. Are the Packers capable of running the table? Yes. Will they? Unlikely. Should they be able to win at least win 3 out of the 5? Yes. Will they? Yes.

But what do you think? We're running a poll in the righthand column for you to let us know how many games out of the 5 remaining you think the Packers will win. So...what's your take on what lies ahead? Share, please.

Packers pre-draft moves

Now, don't get excited, Packer fans. We're not talking about anything major. Might not even qualify as anything minor. But in the quiet, quiet world of Packers free agency signings, the news that the Pack signed a nose tackle -- a definite need -- is something that at least makes us wake up from our offseason slumber. Even if it does deal with a name that most of us probably haven't heard of before. Unless you were a really rabid fan of Utah State a couple years ago.

The Packers signed Brian Soi, a 2007 undrafted free agent with the Dolphins. He was released before the start of the regular season. In 2008, he spent some of the offseason with the Giants. So, counting on Mr. Soi to be the answer at the critical nose tackle position is probably not going to happen. But...ya never know. Which is perhaps why GM Ted Thompson took a flyer on him. Physically, he seems to fit the bill: 6'3" and 334 pounds.

So if you want to know more, you can check out the Packers' news release about him here.

Long snapper traded
Wait...who was our long snapper last year? Oh yeah, Brett Goode. And do you remember that he was a last minute fill-in after the originally designated replacement for long-timer Rob Davis, rookie J.J. Jansen, was injured just before the start of the season? Jansen spent all season on injured reserve. And Goode was so good that the Pack decided to keep the known commodity. But apparently, at least one other team still saw some potential in Jansen: Carolina. The Panthers gave the Pack a future conditional draft pick for Jansen. So, nothing for the Packers to lose and perhaps even something to gain. And for young Mr. Jansen -- who was performing very well prior to his untimely injury -- he also still has something to gain.

So here's something that doesn't happen in football: a win-win.

You can read a bit more here.

New Poll Question: How many games will the Pack win this season?

Just added to the righthand column is a poll asking you how many games you think the Pack will win this season based upon the opponents and schedule. We'll run this through the end of April. So give us and your fellow Packer fans an early idea as to how you're feeling about things.

And what's with this Paulus hype?
Is there any more over-hyped story over the last several days than this bit about Duke point guard Greg Paulus trying out in front of the Packers? Or being recruited by Michigan? Yes, he has a year of college eligibility left, and was arguably the most highly recruited QB coming out of high school...but he's played basketball for the last several years, not football.

And which also leaves Packer fans wondering: Huh???

More here...as if you haven't heard these bits before.

Packers 2009 Schedule Released

It's finally here, Packers fans: the release of the 2009 Packers schedule.

Here are the details (all times Central Time):
1 Sun. Sep. 13 vs. Bears 7:20 PM - NBC
2 Sun. Sep. 20 vs. Bengals 12:00 PM - CBS (Gold Package)
3 Sun. Sep. 27 at Rams 12:00 PM - Fox
4 Mon. Oct. 05 at Vikings 7:30 PM - ESPN
5 Sun. Oct. 11 BYE
6 Sun. Oct. 18 vs. Lions 12:00 PM - Fox
7 Sun. Oct. 25 at Browns 12:00 PM - Fox
8 Sun. Nov. 01 vs. Vikings 12:00 PM - Fox
9 Sun. Nov. 08 at Buccaneers 12:00 PM - Fox
10 Sun. Nov. 15 vs. Cowboys 3:15 PM - Fox (Gold Package)
11 Sun. Nov. 22 vs. 49ers 12:00 PM - Fox
12 Thu. Nov. 26 at Lions 11:30 AM - Fox
13 Mon. Dec. 07 vs. Ravens 7:30 PM - ESPN
14 Sun. Dec. 13 at Bears 12:00 PM - Fox
15 Sun. Dec. 20 at Steelers 12:00 PM - Fox
16 Sun. Dec. 27 vs. Seahawks 12:00 PM - Fox
17 Sun. Jan. 03 at Cardinals 2:15 PM - Fox

The Packers, despite the 6-10 record of last year, are obviously still a major TV draw nationally. The Pack helps open the first weekend of the season with a Sunday night game at Lambeau vs. Da Bearz. Then there are two Monday night games, Oct. 5 at the ViQueens, and Dec. 7 vs. the Ravens at Lambeau. And sandwiched inbetween -- maybe turkey sandwich would be the appropriate description -- is the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions in Detroit.

In looking at the schedule, we can make a few initial observations. (And if you'd care to voice your opinion, feel free to do so any time through the end of April in our poll in the column to the right.)

The Packers will have played all their divisional games by the end of Week 14, and will be done with both games against the ViQueens by Week 8. Just as Da Bearz are the first divisional opponent the Pack faces to kick off the season on opening weekend, they are also the last divisional opponent in week 14.

The scheduling gods gave the Packers no 3-game stretches either home or away; there are two sets of two games back to back at home and two sets of games back to back on the road, with the rest alternating home and away. Not bad. Also not bad is the fact that the hot weather Arizona Cardinals are scheduled for the last away game of the season, Jan. 3. Road trip, anyone???

The short week because of the Thanksgiving Day game begins with the 49ers at Lambeau on Nov. 22 and then the Lions on the 26th. That seems to be as good as an arrangement and team pairings as could be hoped for. Add into that the fact that then the Packers have the long stretch afterward to prepare for a Monday night home again vs. the Ravens on Dec. 7. Again, not bad. If it couldn't be the Cowboys the Ravens aren't a bad second choice for that slot, all things considered.

The bye week we would have preferred to come a bit later: week 5 hits a bit early. But it does come after the first Monday night game vs. the 'Queens. So with a quarter of the season completed, including two divisional games, that may be a good point to evaluate and tweak things.

Anyway...more to follow in terms of analysis, etc. as things sink in and we get a chance to look at things a bit more closely.

A word about the "Gold Package" reference
For those not familiar with the "Gold Package" reference in the schedule, that's a Packers-only designation: it refers to former Milwaukee season ticket holders. Once upon a time, the Pack used to play some of their games at the old County Stadium in Milwaukee. When the Brewers baseball team decided to build their new ballpark (a great one, btw!), the Packers decided to take the opportunity to cut those ties and move all games back to Green Bay. The only problem, of course, was that you had this extremely loyal and dedicated fan base who had purchased season tickets in Milwaukee for years and years. The Packers wisely decided they didn't want to tick off those fans. So, they came up with a solution -- of sorts -- called, appropriately, the Green and Gold Packages.

The Green Package was for those fans who already had season tix in Green Bay. They would not lose any of the games they would have already gotten under the old system; in fact, they probably picked up a game on their season tickets. The Gold Package was for those fans who held Milwaukee season tickets. Rather than have them come away empty-handed and disgruntled, the Pack kept them in the fold -- but it's not like they would go anywhere else anyway, right? -- by giving them two regular games at Lambeau each season, along with a preseason game. Not bad. And in looking at the schedule this season, well...getting Cleveland as the preseason game (and the first game at that) and Cincinnati as one of the two regular season games isn't the greatest. On the other hand, a bit of that is made up for with the second regular season Gold Package game: the Cowboys as the main afternoon game on Sunday, Nov. 15. I think a lot of Gold Package ticket holders will forgive those other two scheduling/ticketing choices just for the chance to see home state boy, Dallas QB Tony Romo, lose in the friendly confines of Lambeau Field. Sorry, Tony. You may be home town...but the Packers are our home team.

Packers season schedule due out Tuesday

Finally! Finally, the Packers schedule for the 2009 season will be released. Just tune in to the NFL Network at 6 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, April 14. Oh, oh...the NFL Network...well...maybe you can stream it over the 'net. Barring those options, you can also check back here at Packer Fans United, or here, or here. You can get the full NFL schedule at nfl.com.

Of course, the opponents at home and on the road have been known for quite a while now. Home opponents include divisional foes Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota, as well as San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Baltimore and Cincinnati. On the road, the Packers once again play our three divisional opponents (Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota) plus Arizona, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. It's just all a matter of who the Pack plays when.

We do have two known dates, though: the Pack opens the season against Da Bearz at Lambeau and play the Lions on Thanksgiving in Detroit. A wish list might have the Pack playing the Cowboys the game after Thanksgiving...you know, get that extra rest and practice time in. And Arizona and Tampa Bay later in the season would be a plus, too. Instead, if NFL scheduling goes according to form, the Packers will have to go the desert to play the Cardinals in Week #2 and to the humidity of Florida in Week #3, while playing Cleveland and Pittsburgh the last games of the season. Well, perhaps the NFL scheduling gods will strive for a bit of balance. We'll know Tuesday how it all shakes out.

It's starting to smell a bit more like football season is just around the corner: the schedule coming out in a few days...the draft only about two weeks away...ahhh...life is good, Packer fans!

Packers open season vs Da Bearz; also play on Thanksgiving

Despite the ho-hum season last year and the absence of Ol' #4, the Packers remain a huge national TV draw. That's why the NFL rewarded the Pack with an opening weekend Sunday night game at home against Da Bearz. The Pack will beat up on Da Bearz on Sunday evening, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. Central time, and you can bet Lambeau Field will be cranked up. The game will be carried by NBC. This will be the 178th meeting between the two teams; no teams have played each other more.

For the second time in three seasons, the Packers will be playing on Thanksgiving. The Pack will play the Lions at Detroit's Ford Field at 11:30 a.m. (CT) on Thursday, November 26. So make your turkey plans for later in the afternoon, folks. The game will be televised nationally by FOX. According to the Packers, this marks the 33rd Thanksgiving contest in franchise history. At one time, it seemed as if it was always the Packers and Lions on Thanksgiving. Can't you just hear the late, great Ray Scott announcing those games?

Anyway, this is the second straight year the Packers have opened the season with a nationally televised game. Go Pack Go!!!

Only the opening weekend and the Thanksgiving game schedules were announced by the league. The NFL will release the full season schedule in April. The other games announced were: Tennessee at Pittsburgh, Thursday night, Sept. 10; Buffalo at New England and San Diego at Oakland, Monday night, Sept. 14; Oakland at Dallas and New York Giants at Denver on Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day).

You can read more about the announced Packers' games here.

Packers announce offseason schedule

According to a press release from the Green Bay Packers:
The Green Bay Packers have set the bulk of their offseason schedule leading up to training camp for 2009.

Following the start of the offseason strength and conditioning program on Monday and the NFL Draft in late April, the Packers will hold their annual rookie orientation from May 1-3.

Organized team activities (OTAs) then begin on May 26 and will run through June 18, with the team holding three on-field OTAs per week during that four-week span. The offseason schedule then concludes with a three-day, full-squad mini-camp from June 23-25.

Training camp is slated to begin in late July, but the team's exact reporting date has not yet been set. Players generally report to training camp 15 days prior to the first preseason game.

Key Offseason Dates

• Packers Fan Fest: March 13-14 (tickets still available)
  
• Beginning of Packers' offseason program: March 16
  
• NFL Draft: April 25-26
  
• Rookie orientation: May 1-3
  
• Packers Tailgate Tour: May 11-14
  
• Organized Team Activities (OTAs): May 26-June 18
  
• Full-squad mini-camp: June 23-25
  
• Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet: July 18
  
• Training Camp: late July (exact reporting date TBD)
  

2008 Packers Schedule Released

Hot off the NFL presses, the Packers full 2008 schedule was released today. It includes three Monday Night Football games on ESPN and one Sunday night game on NBC. Let the prognostications begin! And, by the way, the schedule can always be found in the righthand column of links.

2008 Preseason Season Schedule
Mon., Aug. 11 Cincinnati Bengals (Bishop's Charities Game) 7 p.m. ESPN
Sat., Aug. 16 @ San Francisco 49ers 8 p.m. State
Fri., Aug. 22 @ Denver Broncos 8 p.m. State
Thurs., Aug. 28 Tennessee Titans (Gold Pkg.) (Midwest Shrine Game) 7 p.m. State

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Mon., Sept. 8 Minnesota Vikings 6 p.m. ESPN
Sun., Sept. 14 @ Detroit Lions 12 noon FOX
Sun., Sept. 21 Dallas Cowboys (Gold Pkg.) 7:15 p.m. NBC
Sun., Sept. 28 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 noon FOX
Sun., Oct. 5 Atlanta Falcons 12 noon FOX
Sun., Oct. 12 @ Seattle Seahawks 3:15 p.m. FOX
Sun., Oct. 19 Indianapolis Colts 3:15 p.m. CBS
Sun., Oct. 26 Open Date
Sun., Nov. 2 @ Tennessee Titans 12 noon FOX
Sun., Nov. 9 @ Minnesota Vikings 12 noon FOX
Sun., Nov. 16 Chicago Bears (Gold Pkg.) *12 noon FOX
Mon., Nov. 24 @ New Orleans Saints 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Sun., Nov. 30 Carolina Panthers *12 noon FOX
Sun., Dec. 7 Houston Texans *12 noon CBS
Sun., Dec. 14 @ Jacksonville Jaguars *12 noon FOX
Mon., Dec. 22 @ Chicago Bears 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Sun., Dec. 28 Detroit Lions *12 noon FOX

All times indicated are Central.
* Start time may shift due to NFL flexible scheduling.