Packers 2017 schedule release: Five toughest games on the schedule

1. @ Atlanta Falcons, Week 2

A road game against a team that had a 25-point lead in the third quarter of the Super Bowl and boasts the NFL’s most powerful offense should not be a welcome idea to the Packers.

Green Bay had no answer for Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and company in the NFC title game last year. Ryan threw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns and Jones had nine catches for 180 yards and two TDs. He averaged 20 yards a catch.

And pre-draft, the Packers return the exact same secondary with the only addition to this point being Davon House. Uh oh. Even if Green Bay adds a rookie or two to the mix, it would be unreasonable to assume said rookie could contain Jones.

The only question to consider here is what happens to Atlanta’s psyche after the most horrific collapse in Super Bowl history. On one hand, the Falcons could never recover from blowing that large of a lead, that late in the game, on the biggest stage in all of sports.

On the other hand – and this is a terrifying thought – The Dirty Birds could treat 2017 as their own personal revenge tour and go on a mission to prove to the league they truly were the best team in 2016.

Either way, last season’s playoff matchup proved that Green Bay’s defense is no match for Atlanta’s offense. Add in that it’s on the road and you get the Packers’ toughest matchup on the 2017 schedule.

Next: Ranking the top 10 receivers in Green Bay Packers history

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