Packers predictions
A crystal ball look at the 16 matchups of Green Bay’s 2020 season.
GREEN BAY – At this point, still more than four months before the Green Bay Packers' first scheduled game, it's impossible to know what sort of NFL season 2020 will be.
The league sure seems determined to fit in all 16 games despite the coronavirus pandemic. Why else schedule critical divisional games in Week 1, such as the Packers traveling to open their season at the Minnesota Vikings for the first time in their history? Still, there is a lot of time until that happens, and with the realities of this pandemic seemingly changing weekly, if not daily, expectations are tricky.
So these instant predictions that typically hold no significance come the fall are even more shaky this spring. That shouldn't stop anyone from having a little fun.
As it sits on paper, the Packers' 2020 schedule has a clear line of demarcation. The first eight games appear grueling, consisting of potentially the four toughest road trips this season: at Minnesota, at New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, at San Francisco. If the Packers can hold on through early November, the schedule opens up for them to go on a run.
Here's one way-too-early look at how the Packers' 2020 season could unfold:
Week 1: Packers at Vikings, noon Sunday, Sept. 13, U.S. Bank Stadium, Fox
A year ago, Matt LaFleur opened his tenure as Packers head coach with an improbable road upset of the defending NFC North champion Chicago Bears. The Vikings are not the defending NFC North champion, but a Week 1 win in Minnesota would be no less impressive. Remember, the Packers were 6-0 in divisional games last season for the first time since 2011. Hard to see them repeating that in 2020. Predic
tion: Packers lose (0-1).
Week 2: Packers vs. Lions, noon Sunday, Sept. 20, Lambeau Field, Fox
The Lions have played the Packers tough over the past few seasons. Although the Packers won both matchups last year, they trailed 17-3 at halftime with everything on the line in their 2019 finale, and that was with David Blough at quarterback for Detroit. Before that, the Lions had swept in two straight seasons, a four-game win streak that was their longest in the series since 1983. So this isn’t a sure thing, but the Packers open their home schedule the right way. Prediction: Packers win (1-1).
Week 3: Packers at Saints, 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, NBC
One of the most intriguing subplots to this NFL season might be whether the league allows fans in the stands, and to what capacity. With the Packers playing two road games against teams with indoor stadiums in the first three weeks, that’s of particular interest for them. That uncertainty makes this game difficult to predict — an empty Superdome is a lot different from a packed one — but the Saints’ offense on turf will be tough to handle regardless. Perhaps Jared Cook or Taysom Hill scores a winning touchdown. Prediction: Packers lose (1-2).
Week 4: Packers vs. Falcons, 7:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, Lambeau Field, ESPN
After losing a pair of games to mentor Kyle Shanahan last season, LaFleur gets another chance to beat a former teacher when the Packers host the Falcons in prime time. LaFleur spent two seasons on Dan Quinn’s staff as quarterbacks coach, so he not only knows the Falcons head coach well but also quarterback Matt Ryan. This time, that familiarity helps. Prediction: Packers win (2-2). Week 5: bye
Week 6: Packers at Buccaneers, 3:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, Raymond James Stadium, Fox
Things certainly are aligned for the Packers to pull off what might be considered an upset. They’ll be coming off a bye week, which will give them extra time to prepare for what should be a very dangerous Bucs offense. They’ll also travel to southwest Florida early enough in the year that they shouldn’t have a major transition to the heat. Still, the Bucs have Tom Brady, and they’ll be playing at home. Prediction: Packers lose (2-3).
Week 7: Packers at Houston, noon Sunday, Oct. 25, NRG Stadium, Fox
This would be a gut-check win for the Packers. The teeth of their schedule is Weeks 6 through 9, when they play four games in 19 days against playoff-caliber opponents. The Texans are no longer pushovers, having won the AFC South four of the past five seasons. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is dangerous, but less so without top receiver DeAndre
Hopkins. And you know Aaron Rodgers loves playing in the state of Texas. The Packers prevent their season from slipping away with a big win here. Prediction: Packers win (3-3).
Week 8: Packers vs. Vikings, noon Sunday, Nov. 1, Lambeau Field, Fox
The Packers might need this win if they’re going to repeat as NFC North champions, especially if they lose Week 1. Expect another tough, tight matchup between these rivals in what could be the game of the year. Ultimately, Rodgers pulls out a victory at the end. Prediction: Packers win (4-3).
Week 9: Packers at 49ers, 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, Levi’s Stadium, Fox/ NFL Network
The Packers showed no indication they’re capable of leaving San Francisco with a win last season, and that was without making the trip on a short week. It would take a real leap of faith to expect anything different this fall. Prediction: Packers lose (4-4).
Week 10: Packers vs. Jaguars, noon Sunday, Nov. 15, Lambeau Field, Fox
Going 4-4 through the season’s first half would not be ideal for a team that lost only three games last season. That said, their mini-bye week comes at the right time. The Packers use their extended off time to regroup, and soundly take care of the Jaguars at home. Prediction: Packers win (5-4).
Week 11: Packers at Colts, noon Sunday, Nov. 22, Lucas Oil Stadium, Fox
Philip Rivers beat the Packers last season with a quick release that neutralized the Packers’ vaunted pass rush. But he’ll be pushing 39 years old when the Packers see him again, this time with the Colts, and Father Time is undefeated. It’s fair to wonder how much Rivers has left. Prediction: Packers win (6-4).
Week 12: Packers vs. Bears, 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, Lambeau Field, NBC
Death, taxes and the Packers playing the Bears at night. The league sure does like seeing these two rivals play in prime time, especially at Lambeau Field. This will be the ninth time in 10 seasons the Packers host the Bears at night. Bad news for the Bears: Rodgers has lost only one of those games he finished. Prediction: Packers win (7-4).
Week 13: Packers vs. Eagles, 3:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Lambeau Field, CBS
With the Packers’ season finally rolling, here comes a big test. Carson Wentz led the Eagles to victory inside Lambeau Field last season. He could certainly do it again. But, remember, the Packers started with a 10-point lead in that game. This time, they’ll get an early lead and keep it. Prediction: Packers win (8-4).
Week 14: Packers at Lions, noon Sunday, Dec. 13, Ford Field, Fox
If there’s such a thing as a trap game in the NFL, this could be one. The Packers should be rolling with a win streak entering Ford Field, a place they have struggled in the recent past. Expect the Lions to give them all they can handle. Ultimately, they’re still the Lions. Prediction: Packers win (9-4).
Week 15: Packers vs. Panthers, TBD Dec. 19 or 20, Lambeau Field, TBD
Whether this game happens on Saturday or Sunday, it should look a lot like when these teams played last season. Yes, the Panthers have Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback now, and Matt Rhule as head coach, but Christian McCaffrey is still the franchise’s identity. Expect another epic duel between McCaffrey and Aaron Jones, two of the NFL’s top running backs. Remember, Jones could be looking to make a statement against his 2017 draft classmate as he prepares to enter free agency. Could McCaffrey get stuffed at the goal line again? Prediction: Packers win (10-4).
Week 16: Packers vs. Titans, 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, NBC
Sometimes, the schedule makers have a sense of humor. Forcing the Packers to defend perhaps the NFL’s two best running backs in consecutive late-season, cold-weather games is one way to see if their maligned run defense is ready for the postseason. On the surface, this might seem like a game the Packers should win, especially if they’re carrying a six-game winning streak into kickoff, but consider how difficult Derrick Henry is to tackle. Then remember how this defense looked the last time you saw them play. Prediction: Packers lose (10-5).
Week 17: Packers at Bears, noon Sunday, Jan. 3, Soldier Field, Fox
This could be the game of the year, with an NFC North title on the line. Or it could be a snooze fest with the Bears’ season having ended sometime in early November. A wide range of possibilities hinges on what happens at quarterback between Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles. With better QB play, the Bears not only can beat anyone, but are true contenders. It’s just a lot to expect Trubisky or Foles to lift the offense that much with what both showed last season. Prediction: Packers win (11-5).