Packers entering tough midseason stretch before bye week

Six games still remain before the Green Bay Packers earn their late-season bye week. Before then, they will enter one of the toughest stretches of their season.

Thankfully, the Packers have been able to overcome a long list of injuries and win five of their opening six games, despite the fact only two were played at Lambeau Field. That’s an impressive run, and one that sets them up nicely and increases their margin for error.

They enter Sunday’s game at Lambeau against the Washington Football Team as strong favorites, which is unsurprising as Washington’s defense ranks last in points allowed.

However, a tough run awaits.

After hosting Washington, Green Bay will have only four days to prepare for a road game against the currently-undefeated Arizona Cardinals. No team has been as impressive as the Cardinals so far this season.

A week later, the Packers remain on the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs. Sure, the Chiefs haven’t looked at their best this season and have already lost three games. Their defense has struggled. But don’t underestimate their high-powered offense led by Patrick Mahomes. Only the Dallas Cowboys are averaging more total yards per game.

After a challenging two-game road stretch, the Packers return home to host the Seattle Seahawks. Much will depend on Russell Wilson’s availability in that game.

Green Bay then visits U.S. Bank Stadium for a divisional battle with the Minnesota Vikings. While the Packers have won their previous two in this stadium, road games against the Vikings are rarely easy.

In the final game before their bye, the Packers host the red-hot Los Angeles Rams, a team that looks to be back in Super Bowl contention with the arrival of Matthew Stafford.

A tough stretch awaits after Week 7. The Packers will play three of those five games on the road, and their opponents have a combined 19-11 record.

But first, they host Washington. Entering that tough stretch with a 6-1 record sure would help.