The Green Bay Packers' next five games will teach us a lot about this team. Are they serious Super Bowl contenders or still painfully below the elite tier?
Matt LaFleur's squad hosts the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles, who eliminated the Packers en route to a Super Bowl run last January. Green Bay then gets a favorable matchup against the New York Giants, but three consecutive NFC North contests follow, including a road trip to Detroit on Thanksgiving.
If the Packers win four or more games during this period, they'll prove they are potentially the best team in football. But it's a daunting run, and LaFleur has to prevent the wheels from falling off, especially after a brutal loss to the Carolina Panthers a week ago.
Projecting the Packers' challenging path through the next five weeks
Week 10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
Not only are the Packers coming off arguably their worst performance of the season, but they're also battling multiple injuries on offense. Romeo Doubs is the only wide receiver not on the Week 10 injury report, and the Packers already lost star tight end Tucker Kraft for the season.
The frozen conditions may surprisingly favor Philadelphia, not Green Bay, a team better prepared to run the football. The Eagles ran all over the New York Giants last time out, piling up 276 yards on the ground. While Green Bay has shut down the run most of the season, Rico Dowdle changed that in Week 9 with a 130-yard, two-touchdown performance.
Matt LaFleur will make adjustments and the offense will improve, but the Packers lose a close one to the Super Bowl champions.
Packers lose, 26-23 (5-3-1)
Week 11 at New York Giants
The Packers have to win this game. New York is 2-7, lost three in a row, and allowed 35 points per game in that stretch. But the Packers have already lost two trap games this season. They surely can't drop another one, right? Even on a short week, this is too favorable a matchup to lose, and Green Bay wins comfortably.
Packers win, 27-14 (6-3-1)
Week 12 vs. Minnesota Vikings
While less consistent than last season, the Minnesota Vikings proved they are still a daunting matchup for anyone with an impressive road win over the Lions. J.J. McCarthy has shown flashes of potential, while Brian Flores' defense has given this Packers offense all sorts of problems in recent years.
Jordan Love is 0-2 at Lambeau versus Minnesota, throwing for 618 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions against Flores' defense.
Still, McCarthy will give the defense opportunities. Per Pro Football Focus, he has four big-time throws but five turnover-worthy plays in his three NFL starts. That will open the door for the Packers to win a close one.
Packers win, 21-17 (7-3-1)
Week 13 at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)
This one is fascinating. The Packers dominated the matchup in Week 1, but it's a different game at Ford Field. Detroit initially bounced back by winning four straight and averaging 40.3 points per contest in that span, but the offense has struggled since.
The Lions are 1-2 in their previous three games, averaging only 21.7 points in that stretch. They have been hit with injuries on both sides of the ball, including along the offensive line.
However, the Packers also lack consistency, and in what promises to be a heavyweight battle, Detroit holds on to a one-point lead.
Packers lose, 21-20 (7-4-1)
Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears
The Bears have undoubtedly improved under Ben Johnson. Their rushing offense ranks No. 2 in the NFL entering Week 10, thanks in part to a revamped offensive line. However, their defense remains a work in progress, allowing 28.4 points per contest, which ranks No. 29 in the NFL.
Green Bay's path to victory is clear: score early, build a lead, and force the Bears into obvious passing situations. Chicago is 5-1 over its past six games, but those victories came against teams with a combined 12-32-1 record, with their lone loss coming to the Baltimore Ravens without Lamar Jackson.
The Packers should have enough, but they struggled in both games against the Bears last season, and Ben Johnson's offense will keep it relatively close.
Packers win, 27-21 (8-4-1)