Bizarre bye week and 3 other observations from Packers schedule 2023

Packers schedule 2023: Two games in five days, then just one in 22 days

At first glance, a Week 6 bye might not seem too notable. Maybe a little early, but it's not uncommon. However, take a closer look, and the Packers will find themselves in a bizarre situation.

On September 28, Green Bay hosts the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football. This comes just four days after a home matchup with the New Orleans Saints. The Packers will play two games in the space of five days.

However, playing on Thursday gives the Packers a mini bye. Then their real bye comes just two weeks later. Between the matchup with the Lions and an October 22 game against the Denver Broncos, the Packers will only play once, against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 9.

They go from playing two games in five days to playing only once in 22 days. That's over three weeks.

It's an unusual way the schedule has worked out. The downside is the Packers will get plenty of rest early in the season, but not as much later on.

They will get another mini bye in November after playing on Thanksgiving, then a Monday night matchup gives them an additional day to prepare. But most of Green Bay's time off comes in the first half of the season.

We'll be spoiled with two Packers games in less than a week, but then only get one more in 22 days.