For the first time since 2008, the Green Bay Packers will navigate their NFL schedule without Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. With Rodgers now officially a member of the New York Jets, former first-round pick Jordan Love will take over under center. What sort of damage can Love and the Packers do in Love’s first season at the helm?
Green Bay Packers Schedule
- Preseason Week 1: at Bengals
Packers TV | 6 p.m. ET (Friday, Aug. 11) - Preseason Week 2: vs. Patriots
Packers TV | 7 p.m. ET (Saturday, Aug. 19) - Preseason Week 3: vs. Seahawks
Packers TV | Noon ET (Saturday, Aug. 26) - Week 1: at Bears
FOX | 4:25 p.m. ET (Sunday, Sept. 10) - Week 2: at Falcons
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Sept. 17) - Week 3: vs. Saints
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Sept. 24) - Week 4: vs. Lions (TNF)
Amazon Prime | 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday, Sept. 28) - Week 5: at Raiders (MNF)
ESPN | 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday, Oct. 9) - Week 6: BYE
- Week 7: at Broncos
CBS | 4:25 p.m. ET (Sunday, Oct. 22) - Week 8: vs. Vikings
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Oct. 29) - Week 9: vs. Rams
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Nov. 5) - Week 10: at Steelers
CBS | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Nov. 12) - Week 11: vs. Chargers
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Nov. 19) - Week 12: at Lions (Thanksgiving)
FOX | 12:30 p.m. ET (Thursday, Nov. 23) - Week 13: vs. Chiefs (SNF)
NBC | 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday, Dec. 3) - Week 14: at Giants (MNF)
ABC | 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday, Dec. 11)
- Week 15: vs. Buccaneers
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Dec. 17) - Week 16: at Panthers
FOX | 1 p.m. ET (Sunday, Dec. 24) - Week 17: at Vikings (SNF)
NBC | 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday, Dec. 31) - Week 18: vs. Bears
TBD
Green Bay Packers Strength of Schedule
Based on PFN Analyst Arif Hasan’s strength of schedule matrix, the Packers project to have the third-easiest NFL schedule next season. As usual, Green Bay will play each of its NFC North rivals at home and on the road. They will also face the entirety of the NFC South and the AFC West.
MORE: Ranking the Packers’ Best and Worst-Case 2023 Season Scenarios
Additionally, the Packers will play the two remaining NFC teams that finished in third place in their respective divisions: the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. Lastly, Green Bay will round out its schedule by playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished third in the AFC North in 2022.
The Packers’ away schedule is incredibly light, opening the opportunity for a breakout season under head coach Matt LaFleur. Traveling to Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Carolina could be much more difficult in comparison to a home slate that includes the Chargers, Chiefs, and Saints.
Green Bay Packers Record Prediction
Last season represented a step back for the Packers, who finished 8-9 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018. With Rodgers headed out of town, next year might be challenging, as well. But the truth is, we don’t really know how Love will fare in his first campaign as Green Bay’s starter.
Since being selected 26th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Love has attempted just 83 passes. His only start came in 2021, when he took the reigns against the Chiefs after Rodgers was diagnosed with COVID-19. Love completed 19 of 34 attempts for 190 yards, one touchdown, and an interception as Green Bay fell to Kansas City.
Love will start for a Packers roster that didn’t make many significant additions during the offseason. While Green Bay allowed free agents like wide receiver Allen Lazard, tight end Robert Tonyan, and safety Adrian Amos to walk, their largest free agent deal was re-signing return man Keisean Nixon to a one-year pact worth up to $6 million.
MORE: Jordan Love Contract Extension — Green Bay Packers Hedge Their Bets With QB1
However, the Packers did more damage in the 2023 NFL Draft, where they made 13 picks. After using their first selection on Iowa pass rusher Lukas Van Ness, Green Bay spent its next three choices on receivers — Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave, Michigan State WR Jayden Reed, and South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft, giving Love and the offense more pass-catching options.
Projected Record: 8-9
