GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers were off to a stellar start last season at 4-1 before Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone. They have the chance to start fast again with three of the first four at home, including a pair of NFC North games. Here are game-by-game predictions for the 2018 season:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9 vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. ET
There’s no better opponent for the start of the Packers’ 100th season than the rival Bears. With last season’s sweep, the Packers took the lead in the all-time series for the first time since 1933. Their lead will grow. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
The Packers caught a break getting the defending NFC North champs at home early in the year, when they might still be adjusting to Kirk Cousins. And you can bet Aaron Rodgers will want this one even more considering the Vikings broke his collarbone last year. Record: 2-0
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23 at Washington, 1 pm. ET
Kirk Cousins one week, his old team the next week. Mitch Trubisky, Cousins and Alex Smith are a solid trio of quarterbacks to start the season against but not a murderer’s row by any means. Record: 3-0.
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
Micah Hyde left the Packers in free agency last offseason to sign with the Bills and made the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s secondary remains a big question mark. However, like in most games, the difference in this one will be the quarterbacks. Record: 4-0
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
The Packers had nothing to play for in last year’s regular-season finale at Detroit. This game could keep a long winning streak going. Record: 5-0
Week 6: Monday, Oct. 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 7:15 p.m. ET
The 49ers didn’t lose last season after they made Jimmy Garoppolo their starting quarterback. They could be on a massive winning streak dating back to last season if that continues. Either way, it ends here. Record: 6-0
Week 7: Bye
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET
Were the Rams for real last year? It sure seems that way. Record: 6-1
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4 at New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. ET
This could be the final meeting between Rodgers and Tom Brady – barring a Super Bowl matchup or Brady playing another four years. Rodgers won a fantastic battle in 2014, but Brady should get revenge after the Packers have the unenviable task of traveling from one coast to the other. Record: 6-2
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
The only home game in November should end the mini-losing streak unless they’re so worn out from two tough road games. Record: 7-2
Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 15 at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET
Seattle is perhaps the toughest place to play in a normal week. Try doing it on a short week for a Thursday night game. Record: 7-3
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25 at Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. ET
The Packers haven’t won in Minneapolis since U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016. Their third trip won’t be any different, and it will mean back-to-back losses for the second time in five weeks. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. ET
An early winter could make this game even more difficult for the warm-weather Cardinals. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
The Packers have lost three straight to the Falcons – all in Atlanta – including in the playoffs. A change of venue won’t mean a change in result. Record: 8-5
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16 at Chicago, 1 p.m. ET
A win at Soldier Field has been all but a sure thing of late. The Packers will make it 10 out of the last 11 in the Windy City. Record: 9-5
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23 at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Who knows who will be playing quarterback for the Jets by this point, but it’s safe to say it won’t be pretty. Record: 10-5
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30 vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
This is the third straight season these two teams will meet in the season finale. The Packers might need this one for playoff possibilities, whether it’s a berth or a bye. Record: 11-5