Last Word on Pro Football is ranking each teams easiest and hardest games on the 2017 schedule. The Green Bay Packers had the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL last year. This year, however, the Packers have the 18th most difficult slate of games. Here are the Green Bay Packers most difficult games in 2017.
Green Bay Packers Most Difficult Games in 2017
1. Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Packers lead all-time series 17-15
In only week two, the Packers will play the hardest game on their regular season schedule. The Falcons will be opening up their new stadium, and will be playing with plenty of emotion after losing Super Bowl LI in heartbreaking fashion. The Falcons gave the Packers defense a bevy of problems in their two meetings last year, scoring 33 points in the regular season match up, and 44 in the NFC Championship game. With the Packers reloading on defense, it will be interesting to see whether they can challenge the reigning NFL MVP, Matt Ryan. This game will be the toughest in the Green Bay Packers most difficult games in 2017.
2. Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys
Packers lead all-time series 18-17
This week 5 match up will be a rematch of the 2016 NFC Divisional playoff game, played at AT&T Stadium, in which the Packers won on a last minute field goal. The Cowboys will be looking for revenge for that heartbreaking playoff loss. Green Bay will be challenged by the Cowboys offensive line and Ezekiel Elliott, while also trying to keep Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant in check. If 2016 is any indication, this year’s meeting with the ‘Boys will be an entertaining affair.
3. Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Packers lead all-time series 19-15
In what will be a rematch of Super Bowl XLV, the Packers will look to get the last quarter of the season off to a good start. Both the Steelers and Packers are perennial playoff contenders and both have dynamic playmakers on offense to go along with juggernaut starting quarterbacks. Barring a weather event, this game could come down to who scores the last points.
4. Week 1: vs Seattle Seahawks
Packers lead all-time series 12-8
The Seahawks likely want to forget last year’s game at Lambeau Field. The Packers scored early and often en route to a 38-10 beating, which sparked the Packers, who didn’t lose another game until the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Seahawks are never a team to sleep on however, as they have a serviceable offense, and a defense in which has Pro Bowlers from top to bottom.
5. Week 7: vs New Orleans Saints
Packers lead all-time series 16-8
The Drew Brees led offense should be a tough test for the Packers defense in the middle of the season. In the last match up of these two teams in 2014, the Saints blew out the Packers to the tune of 44-23. Since then, the Packers defense has improved while the offense has added plenty of dynamic players. The confluence of those factors could make this game one of the more high scoring contests of the year. Who doesn’t want to see a quarterback duel between Aaron Rodgers and Brees? This one should be exciting.
6. Week 15: at Carolina Panthers
Green Bay Packers lead all-time series 9-5
As any NFL team will tell you, winning on the road is one of the hardest feats in the game. Carolina is only two years removed from being in the Super Bowl and still have plenty of offensive firepower to keep up with Rodgers and company. Former MVP Cam Newton can beat you with his legs and arm, and the Panthers defense still has one of the best linebackers in the league in Luke Kuechly roaming the middle of their defense. The Packers will have their hands full on this Sunday in Carolina.
7. Week 13: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green Bay Packers lead all-time series 32-21-1
In Week 13, Lambeau Field will be host to the Battle of the Bays. The Bucs have something to prove in 2017, after stockpiling talent over the last few years. Jameis Winston and Mike Evans highlight an underrated offense, and the defense has its fair share of early round draft talent. The Packers defense could find itself struggling to keep up with the dynamic Buccaneers offense. Although it is very difficult to win at Lambeau in December, Tampa Bay looks more than capable of pulling a late season upset.
8. Week 10: at Chicago Bears
All-Time series tied 94-94-6
The Chicago Bears are in the middle of a rebuild and everything should point to the Packers blowing out a very young, inexperienced team. To the average fan, this should look like one of the easiest games on the Packers schedule. However, there is something special about one of the best rivalries in sports. The all-time series is tied, and the Bears and their fans would love nothing more than to beat the perennial champs of the NFC North. It will be guaranteed that the Bears will lay it all on the line to beat the bitter rival.
Be sure to check out the eight easiest games on the 2017 Green Bay Packers schedule.
Even if the Packers break even in their most difficult games, you should see them back in the playoffs in 2017.
