The Green Bay Packers face a challenging and bizarre schedule, and they must run the gauntlet to reach their lofty ambitions this season.
Not only do the Packers face the fourth-toughest strength of schedule (although that's not the be-all and end-all), but they also face a stop-start season with no true bye week and a mix of short weeks and longer breaks than usual.
To get to their end destination, though, they must find a way to survive the schedule and stack wins in the competitive NFC North. Let's break down and predict every game along that journey.
Predicting every game for the Packers with a challenging 2026 schedule ahead
Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings
The Packers would love nothing more than to take down the Vikings in the first game of the Kyler Murray era, and it should be a competitive contest. However, with likely no Micah Parsons, this could become a daunting challenge in a stadium where the Packers have won only three times in 10 attempts.
Pick: Vikings (0-1)
Week 2: at New York Jets
Fortunately, the Packers will get a perfect opportunity to bounce back against a team with one eye on the No. 1 overall pick of the 2027 NFL Draft.
Pick: Packers (1-1)
Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons (Thursday Night Football)
Short weeks are never easy, and this is the Packers' first of many this season. You always want to get a Thursday night game at home, though. Green Bay has won its past 13 home openers, which is tied for an NFL record. The Packers will have their hands full with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, but with the Falcons' uncertainty at quarterback and a shaky defense, Green Bay wins this one.
Pick: Packers (2-1)
Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Packers should expect a tougher game than it may appear on paper, especially in what could be scorching-hot conditions at Raymond James Stadium. Still, Green Bay has just enough to win a nailbiter, with Trey Smack hitting his first game-winning kick.
Pick: Packers (3-1)
Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears
Circle the date. Not only is it the Packers' first shot at revenge, but Week 5 could signal Micah Parsons' return, should he begin the season on the PUP list.
Let's be honest: Green Bay should've won all three games against Chicago last year. The Bears return to Lambeau Field with a better team, but still without a pass rush. That, along with Parsons' impact, even on a pitch count, lifts the Packers to victory.
Pick: Packers (4-1)
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)
There will be no easing in for Parsons, who could get an early rematch against his former club. The Cowboys promise to be one of the most improved teams in the NFL this season, and former Packers Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary will return to Lambeau Field.
We may not get as many points as last year's stunning 40-40 tie, but expect another entertaining offensive battle. Green Bay edges it at home.
Pick: Packers (5-1)
Week 7: at Detroit Lions
The Packers have won at Ford Field twice in their past three attempts, but the Lions could return with a vengeance this season. Having shored up their offensive line and addressed their pass-rush depth concerns, Detroit is some better injury luck away from restoring its position as an NFC powerhouse.
Pick: Lions (5-2)
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers (Thursday Night Football)
It's another home Thursday Night Football game for the Packers inside the opening eight weeks. Like last year, Green Bay will get a far tougher test from Carolina than it would appear on paper. They will be just four days removed from a physical battle against the Lions, making this a potential slip-up game. It's another ugly contest with Carolina, but this time, Green Bay finds a way.
Pick: Packers (6-2)
Week 9: at New England Patriots
Packers-Patriots games are rarely boring, regardless of the quarterbacks on the field. It didn't matter if it was Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or even Matt Flynn out there, expect twists and turns. Jordan Love versus Drake Maye could produce a classic, but the AFC champions come out on top.
Pick: Patriots (6-3)
Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packers aren't getting swept by the Vikings. It's a crucial win after losing two of their past three games, and it also prevents them from falling to 1-3 against NFC North opponents.
Pick: Packers (7-3)
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams (Thanksgiving Eve)
Another scheduling quirk hits both teams here, as they'll cut their bye weeks short to prepare for a Thanksgiving Eve game. Matt LaFleur has never lost to Sean McVay, but in what could go down as one of the most entertaining games of the season, MVP Matthew Stafford leads his team to victory.
Pick: Rams (7-4)
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
Fun fact: The Packers will have a longer break between games in Week 12 and 13 than they will during their bye week. That benefits them here, leading to an important victory over a rebuilding Saints team.
Pick: Packers (8-4)
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday Night Football)
Oh, what a game this should be. Lambeau Field. December 14. Under the lights. It doesn't get much bigger than this, with Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills coming to town.
Jordan Love is undeniably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but Allen is an absolute superhero, especially when the game is on the line late in the fourth quarter. The Packers may have an advantage at several positions, but Allen can single-handedly win his team games, which he does here.
Pick: Bills (8-5)
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
Finally, we'll see the return of Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis to Lambeau Field. We love them both, and the Dolphins are in good hands, but it's undoubtedly a rebuilding season in South Florida. Green Bay wins, while Miami heads toward a lucrative draft pick.
Pick: Packers (9-5)
Week 16: at Chicago Bears (Christmas Day)
Revenge. Revenge. Revenge. The Packers should've won at Soldier Field in Week 16 last year with Malik Willis. It took a meltdown in the final two minutes to lose that game. This time, Green Bay finally picks up a true statement victory.
Micah Parsons should be back at 100 percent. So should Tucker Kraft. The Packers missed them in their final two games against Chicago last season. If there's one thing Matt LaFleur will enjoy, it will be defeating Ben Johnson twice a year.
Pick: Packers (10-5)
Week 17: vs. Houston Texans (Monday Night Football)
Unfortunately, the winning streak doesn't last, even at home. The Texans are far from a perfect team, but their fierce pass rush versus the Packers' shaky offensive line is a scary, scary prospect. Their pass rush ranked No. 1 in Pro Football Focus' grading last season after generating 400 pressures and 47 sacks. That could prove to be the difference here.
Pick: Texans (10-6)
Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions
The NFC North is so competitive that this game could determine who wins the division title. It should, at the very least, have some kind of playoff ramifications for the four teams in the North. The Packers and Lions are evenly matched, but Jared Goff historically struggles outdoors in cold conditions, and it won't get much tougher than January 10 at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay picks up a massive win to successfully survive a brutal schedule at 11-6. The only question is whether it'll be enough for the NFC North crown.
Pick: Packers (11-6)
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