Packers: 5 reasons why they will win the NFC North in 2019
5. Schedule
When looking at Green Bay’s 2019 regular season schedule, tough road games against the Chiefs, Chargers and Cowboys will stand out, as well as the division games. But as a whole, the Packers’ schedule is just fine, especially when compared to their NFC North rivals.
According to CBS Sports, the Packers’ strength of schedule is tied for 14th in the NFL. The Bears, however, have the fifth toughest schedule, the Vikings the 10th.
As a result of winning the NFC North last season, Chicago has to play New Orleans and the LA Rams. Minnesota gets Atlanta and Seattle. Each of those teams could be playoff contenders. After finishing third in 2018, Green Bay will play San Francisco and Carolina. Neither will be easy, but those games are far less daunting than the others.
The way the Packers’ schedule is set up early, they have the opportunity to build a strong foundation, build momentum, and set themselves up for a playoff push in December. They get six home games inside the first 10 weeks, and then a favorable three-week stretch following their Week 10 bye (at San Francisco, at NY Giants, vs. Washington).
The Bears will be under pressure to put wins on the board early on, because they will face the Saints, Chargers, Eagles and Rams in the space of five weeks in midseason, then close out the year with games against the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs and Vikings.
Division games will be key, but the Packers have the slight edge over their rivals when it comes to the schedule.