Ranking the 5 most important games on the Packers 2023 schedule
By Joe Tuman
Heading into the 2023 season, there is reason to be optimistic about the Green Bay Packers' 17-game slate.
After a 9-8 finish a year ago, they aren't tasked with a first-place schedule. Green Bay won't have to face any obvious Super Bowl contender besides Kansas City during the regular season.
Additionally, with the NFC North not possessing a clear-cut favorite, the Packers won't have any true juggernauts to contend with inside the division either.
While the divisional battles will be very competitive, they should also be quite winnable because there isn't a giant gap in talent between any of the North's four rosters.
Even with these potential benefits in place, Green Bay obviously cannot win games on paper. Heading into the first season of the Jordan Love era, here are five games the Packers must win in order to find success this fall.
Week 1: Packers at Bears
It may be cliche to say, but beginning the season with a road win would be a huge tone-setter for Matt LaFleur's team.
The Bears themselves made several big moves this offseason, and they'll be looking to capitalize by downing their archrivals in their home opener.
With Chicago facing mostly unintimidating competition in 2023, they could earn a lot of wins against teams the Packers won't get the opportunity to see.
Therefore, stealing this road contest to start the new era on a high note would be a motivating turn of events.
The Packers follow this outing with games against Atlanta, New Orleans, Detroit and Las Vegas. With all of these games appearing winnable, a ninth-straight victory over the Bears would be a great way to create some early momentum.