The 2019 regular season is getting closer and closer. With that in mind, it’s an excellent time to analyze the schedules of all 32 NFL teams, which is what the Last Word on Sports NFL department is currently doing. Articles will be broken down into the eight hardest and eight easiest games on each team’s schedule. Here, the Green Bay Packers most difficult games are under the microscope.
Check out the eight easiest games on the 2019 Packers schedule.
Green Bay Packers Most Difficult Games of 2019
1. Week Eight: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Packers will be heading into hostile territory when they go on the road to face the Chiefs. Last seasons MVP winner, Patrick Mahomes, will be trying to repeat his 50 touchdown performance. This young Packers defense will have a hard time keeping the Chiefs explosive offense at bay. The Chiefs offense is largely the same as last season, and their defense has improved slightly compared to 2018. Kansas City has one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL and Arrowhead will be loud when Rodgers and LaFleur come to town.
2. Week Nine: at Los Angeles Chargers
Two weeks in a row this Packers team will be traveling against playoff-caliber teams on the road. Luckily for the Packers, the Los Angeles Chargers have minimal home-field advantage. The Chargers have had a rocky few weeks before the start of the season with Melvin Gordon holding out and safety Derwin James going down with an injury.
This will be a battle of two veteran quarterbacks with Rodgers and Rivers. The difference in this game could very well be the defenses. As much as the Packers improved their defense, the Chargers have one of the strongest in the NFL. This is going to be an excellent game, but it will be tough for the Packers to come away with a win.
3. Week One: at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were the surprise team last season going 12-4 and winning the NFC North. They did it with a historical defense and capable enough quarterback play. Last season the Packers started the year by winning against the Bears in what was an epic power move by Aaron Rodgers in the second half. The game was a battle, and I expect the same this year. The Packers will have one key advantage in this game, quarterback play. Mitch Trubisky is due to regress after overperforming expectations by a large margin last season. If that is the case, the Packers could come away with their first win in hostile territory in Chicago.
4. Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings
This could very well be the game that could decide who wins the NFC North. The Vikings were a massive disappointment last year, making the Kirk Cousins deal look like really bad business. I do not see Cousins struggling as much in his second season with the Vikings. They still have all of their weapons in Diggs, Thielen, and Rudolph. They will also have Dalvin Cook back to 100 percent and added running back depth in the talented Alexander Mattison. The Vikings and the Packers are equal in many ways, and it will be tough to imagine who wins this game. The Vikings also have a powerful home-field advantage that will make winning even more difficult for the Packers.
5. Week Four: vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are now two years removed from their Super Bowl victory. They no longer have Nick Foles to lead the team to glory, but once MVP candidate Carson Wentz is no joke either. The Eagles have slowly been adding pieces that could have them vying for another Super Bowl run this year. The offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, and they now have a potential workhorse running back in Miles Sanders. If Doug Pederson can commit to the run, then this team will be dangerous.
The Packers will have their home field advantage to lean on in this game. They will also need to match the Eagles firepower if they want to remain competitive. Luckily they have the weapons to do so.
6. Week Five: at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are a difficult team to figure out at the moment. Their star running back is holding out for a better contract. Their starting quarterback and number one wide receiver are both expecting deals after this season. They lack depth at all of these positions. Luckily for the Packers, this game is being played in Dallas. The Cowboys are notorious for struggling at AT&T Stadium. In the last ten seasons, the Cowboys are only 37-35 at home. The Packers will be coming off of a three-game homestand to face the Cowboys, and they will be well-rested.
7. Week Two: vs Minnesota Vikings
This will be another tough game, but at least this time it will be at home. The Packers have struggled against the Vikings the past few years having lost four and getting one tie. This season both teams will be at a similar level, and both games will probably come down to the wire.
8. Week 15: vs Chicago Bears
Lastly, the Bears will be coming into Lambeau to try and win the NFC North. This late in the season, the Packers usually rely on their frigid temperatures to have an edge at home. Unfortunately, that will not have much of an impact on the Bears who are used to cold-weather games. Rookie running back David Montgomery will be trying to prove that he deserves to be the starter over Tarik Cohen, but both backs together can be a dangerous one-two punch. The Packers finish their season with three divisional games and making the playoffs might require them to win all three.
