The Green Bay Packers were one of the most pleasant surprises in the NFL last season, particularly during the second half of the year when they went 6-2 over their final eight games to snare a playoff berth in the NFC.
The Packers then went on to rout the Dallas Cowboys in a Wild Card Round stunner and even pushed the San Francisco 49ers to the brink in the Divisional Round, but ultimately blew a fourth-quarter lead in a tough loss.
However, the future seems very bright in Green Bay, especially with Jordan Love under center.
The Packers have become a trendy pick to make a deep playoff run and potentially make it all the way to the Super Bowl in a conference that appears to have improved heading into 2024. This is not only due to Love's stellar play, but also because of Green Bay's incredibly impressive stable of young receivers and some of the moves the club made this offseason.
The Packers signed big-name free agents like running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. They addressed their offensive line in the first round of the NFL Draft by selecting tackle Jordan Morgan, and they also picked up impressive prospects like linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and halfback MarShawn Lloyd.
Green Bay seems to be a legitimate contender going into next season, and now that the NFL schedule has officially been released, we have an idea of what the Packers will be facing in their quest to make it back to the Super Bowl.
Let's run some game-by-game predictions for the squad.
Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles
This game is in Brazil, and it's a “road” game on the Packers' schedule. That's good, because it means they won't get swindled out of a game at Lambeau Field. Regardless, this is a tough matchup, as some are picking the Eagles to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February. Because Green Bay won't actually be playing in Philadelphia, it will stand a much better chance of winning. What better way for the Packers to assert themselves as legitimate contenders than beating the Eagles in their season opener? WIN.
Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts
This marks the Packers' home opener, and it comes against a team that Green Bay should beat. Yes, the Colts had the same record as the Packers at 9-8 last year. And yes, they did that in spite of Anthony Richardson playing just four games. But we really don't know much about Richardson yet other than the fact that he is supremely talented. This will essentially be his rookie season, and going into Lambeau will be tough for the youngster. Meanwhile, Love has already been through the fire. WIN.
Week 3 at Tennessee Titans
After an incredibly boring 2023 campaign in which the Titans went just 6-11, they seem re-energized heading into 2024. They made some big moves during the offseason, stealing Ridley away from Jacksonville, signing running back Tony Pollard to replace Derrick Henry and also bringing in the best center on the open market in Lloyd Cushenberry. Plus, they swung a trade for cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and recently inked receiver Tyler Boyd to a one-year deal. This will be one of those games Green Bay should win but ends up losing. Every team has one of those types of games on their schedule, and the Titans may be tough. LOSS.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are entering a new phase with J.J. McCarthy under center. That doesn't mean they aren't threatening, as they still possess elite weaponry in the form of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Still, it's hard to see Minnesota winning in Green Bay next season. WIN.
Week 5 at Los Angeles Rams
Some people think the Rams could be dark horse contenders in the NFC in 2024. While I think Los Angeles will be decent, I don't see it contending for a Super Bowl berth. Still, the Rams are home here, and if Matthew Stafford is healthy, their offense is no joke. The Packers struggled to defend the run in 2023, ranking 28th in the NFL. That means Kyren Williams could have a big day, which could further open up Stafford to hit targets like Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. LOSS.
Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals should be improved in 2024 now that they'll get a full season of Kyler Murray, and top draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. looks like a sure thing at wide receiver. Plus, running back James Conner had a very solid, under-the-radar campaign in 2023. However, Arizona still isn't very good, and it's hard to imagine the Cards going into Green Bay and beating the Packers. Look for Josh Jacobs to have a big day against what was the NFL's worst rushing offense this past season. WIN.
Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
This was one of the harder matchups to predict on the Packers' schedule. The Texans won 10 games and captured the AFC South title last year and then went and added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and edge rusher Danielle Hunter during the offseason. On paper, Houston is loaded, but the sophomore slump could be a real thing for C.J. Stroud, and you really have to wonder how Diggs will mesh with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. If this game were in Houston, I'd probably take the Texans, but Green Bay has the edge at Lambeau. WIN.
Week 8 at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were one of the NFL's most puzzling teams this past year. They started out 8-3 and looked like actual contenders in the AFC, but then went 1-5 down the stretch to miss the playoffs altogether. They also lost Calvin Ridley in free agency. However, they signed Gabe Davis and drafted LSU's Brian Thomas Jr., so along with Christian Kirk, the Jags' receiving corps could be solid in 2024. Plus, you have to expect a bounceback year from Trevor Lawrence. This will be a tough road matchup for the Packers. LOSS.
Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions
Last year, the Lions went into Lambeau Field and thumped the Packers. That was when Detroit had really begun establishing itself as a legitimate squad in the NFC. This time around, Love and Co. will get the better of Jared Goff and the Lions. These matchups against Detroit will be pivotal and will probably decide who wins the NFC North. WIN.
Week 10 – BYE
Week 11 at Chicago Bears
Will the Bears finally be able to end the Packers' reign of terror? Chicago has been unable to beat Green Bay since December 2018, and its last win against the Packers before that came all the way back in November 2015. But now, the Bears have loaded up on a bunch of weapons, trading for Keenan Allen, signing D'Andre Swift and, of course, drafting Caleb Williams. DJ Moore is in the receiving corps, as well. Look for Chicago to finally pull out a win over Green Bay at Soldier Field. LOSS.
Week 12 vs. San Francisco 49ers
I'm tempted to pick the Packers here, but they have to lose some games on their schedule, right? This is probably the toughest home game Green Bay will have in 2024, and it comes against the same 49ers team that eliminated the Packers from the playoffs last January. San Francisco didn't really improve this offseason, but it remains arguably the most talented team in football. The Niners are the prohibitive favorites to make it back to the Super Bowl for a reason. LOSS.
Week 13 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins struggled to beat good teams in 2023, going just 1-6 against clubs with winning records. They also struggle in cold weather, and this will be at Lambeau on Thanksgiving. It will be frigid. Miami also lost numerous key defensive pieces in free agency, so they don't look like they'll be too much better next season. Yes, the Dolphins' offense is explosive, but it faded down the stretch last year. WIN.
Week 14 at Detroit Lions
In 2023, the Packers lost to the Lions at Lambeau Field but won in Detroit. This time around, it will be the opposite. Chances are, Green Bay will split this series. It will be incredibly difficult for the Packers to sweep the Lions, even though it may very well win them a division title. Detroit is considered by many to be the NFC's second-best team behind San Francisco, so it would be a gigantic accomplishment for Green Bay to win two games against the Dan Campbell-led squad. It probably won't happen. LOSS.
Week 15 at Seattle Seahawks
This could be one of those swing games for the Packers. The Seahawks aren't great, but they certainly aren't bad, either. They can beat anyone on any given Sunday, especially when they are at home. Seattle is probably an eight or nine-win team again, just like it was in 2023. But the Seahawks have always been notoriously tough at home, and the Packers went just 4-5 away from Lambeau Field last season. Still, I think Green Bay knuckles down and gets a big victory here. WIN.
Week 16 vs. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are probably one of the least exciting teams in the NFL heading into next season. They didn't really do much to improve their roster the last couple of months, and this past year, they went 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Derek Carr isn't exactly inspiring under center, and while New Orleans is decent in most areas, it isn't overly impressive in any one category. Remember: Love led the Packers to a thrilling come-from-behind win against the Saints early last season. He shouldn't need a big rally in this one. WIN.
Week 17 at Minnesota Vikings
Sweeping division rivals is very tough to do. As a matter of fact, the Packers and Vikings have split their regular-season meetings each year the last four seasons. But in 2024, I think the Packers will get the better of Minnesota both times. Green Bay would surely love to go 4-2 within the division, as going 3-3 may end up resulting in the Packers losing the NFC North to the Lions. You really want to go above .500 against your divisional opponents. The NFC North is grueling, but if the Packers are going to sweep anybody, it will probably be the Vikings. WIN.
Week 18 vs. Chicago Bears
Remember when Aaron Rodgers yelled “I own you” to Bears fans? Well, even with Rodgers no longer in Green Bay, it still rings true for the Packers. Green Bay has won 10 straight meetings with the Bears and 15 of the last 16. It's hard to see that changing at Lambeau Field, even with the new-look Bears led by Caleb Williams coming to town. WIN.
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