Packers face toughest four-game stretch of season after bye
The Packers face a tough four-game stretch after their bye week.
After a dominant start to the season, the Green Bay Packers have proved why they’re one of the best teams in football.
They now enter a well-deserved bye week, but the hard work is only just beginning. With four wins and no defeats on the board, the Packers are well on their way to another division title and playoff berth.
They have a one-game lead over the Chicago Bears, but are three games ahead of both the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions and can’t lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to either after beating both of them inside the opening four games.
However, for this team to secure the NFC’s one and only bye week in the playoffs and secure home-field advantage, they’ll need to come through these next four games with a strong record.
Packers’ next four
Following the bye, the Packers face a daunting run of games. They start on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then are at the Houston Texans, host the Minnesota Vikings, and on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.
That’s three road games in four weeks.
The Buccaneers are off to a strong start in the Tom Brady era, beginning the season 3-1. They visit the Chicago Bears on Thursday night so will be well-rested by Week 6. If the Bucs get Chris Godwin back from injury, the Packers defense will have a tough task.
The Texans might be 0-4, but that has included games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Deshaun Watson is a star quarterback and will make this game close. A change at head coach might be just what the Texans need to get back on track.
The Vikings have made a slow start, too, but divisional games are never easy. This will be Green Bay’s only home game of the next four.
Finally, we all know the recent history between the Packers and 49ers. San Francisco dominated this matchup last season. The 49ers are 2-2 and have been hit hard with injuries, but they could have a few key players back in this game.
If the Packers go 3-1 or better in this stretch, they’ll be well on their way to winning the division and competing for the top seed. Especially if they secure victories over the Bucs and 49ers. If they go 2-2 or worse, the NFC North race could be much closer and they could lose crucial head-to-head tiebreakers against other NFC contenders.
To say the next four games will be crucial to the Packers’ season would be an understatement.