Previewing Every Game of Packers’ 2023 NFL Schedule
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ 2023 NFL schedule is highlighted by:
- Jordan Love’s debut as the new starting quarterback coming in Week 1 at the Chicago Bears.
- Love’s Lambeau Field debut as the starter coming in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.
- A Week 6 bye as opposed to Week 14 last year.
- Five primetime games, including MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs coming to Lambeau Field in December.
- Thanksgiving in Detroit against the Lions, Christmas Eve in Carolina against the Panthers and New Year’s Eve in Minnesota against the Vikings.
With that as a backdrop, here is a quick-hitting look at all 17 games, including a look at their opponents’ 2022 seasons, key transactions and Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Sept. 10, 3:25 p.m., Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 26.
2022 Season: Record – 3-14. Points scored ranking – 23rd. Points allowed ranking – 32nd.
Super Bowl odds: +6000 (23rd).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – WR D.J. Moore (trade), LB T.J. Edwards, LB Tremaine Edmunds, TE Robert Tonyan, G Nate Davis, DT Andrew Billings, edge DeMarcus Walker, OT Darnell Wright (draft), DT Gervon Dexter (draft), CB Tyrique Stevenson (draft), DT Zacch Pickens (draft). Subtractions – RB David Montgomery, OT Riley Reiff.
History: Packers lead 104-94-6. Unbelievably, they are 12-1 in their last 13 treks to Soldier Field.
Matchup note: The Bears’ hopes might hinge on quarterback Justin Fields but big improvement is needed by a defense that ranked last in points allowed in 2022 and 22nd in 2021. With vast amounts of money to spend in free agency, the Bears signed Edmunds, Edwards and Walker in free agency. Plus, they drafted Dexter, Stevenson and Pickens in the first three rounds. Said Bears GM Ryan Poles: “We want to take a big step there. We’ve done that in free agency and then we've done that in the draft, too.”
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Sept. 17, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 20.
2022 Season: Record – 7-10. Points scored ranking – 15th. Points allowed ranking – 23rd.
Super Bowl odds: +5500 (21st).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – DL Calais Campbell, DT David Onyemata, LB Kaden Elliss, edge Bud Dupree, S Jessie Bates III, CB Tre Flowers, QB Taylor Heinicke, WR Mack Hollins, CB Jeff Okudah (trade), TE Jonnu Smith (trade), RB Bijan Robinson (draft), OL Matthew Bergeron. Subtractions – QB Marcus Mariota.
History: Packers lead 17-14 but Atlanta has won the last three games played in Georgia.
Matchup note: There will be a big quarterback battle between Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick in 2022, and Taylor Heinicke, who beat the Packers last year and almost led the Commanders to the playoffs. Whoever the quarterback, he’ll be helped by the sublime talents of the No. 1 pick, Robinson, and a defense that was given a major makeover with perhaps six new starters.
Week 3: New Orleans Saints
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Sept. 24, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 27
2022 Season: Record – 7-10. Points scored ranking – 22nd. Points allowed ranking – 9th.
Super Bowl odds: +3500 (14th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – QB Derek Carr, RB Jamaal Williams, DT Khalen Saunders, DT Nathan Shepherd, DT Bryan Bresee (draft), edge Isaiah Foskey (draft), RB Kendre Miller (draft). Subtractions – DT David Onyemata, edge Marcus Davenport, LB Kaden Elliss.
History: Packers lead 17-10. In the 2021 opener at Jacksonville, the Saints stomped the Packers 38-3. They’ve won three of the last four matchups.
Matchup note: After sputtering along following the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints acquired Derek Carr. Surely, that’s better than Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton. Said Brees to The Advocate: “I think he’ll mesh well with [offensive coordinator] Pete Carmichael. I think he’s got some weapons around him. I’m excited that Michael Thomas will be back and hopefully healthy — he deserves that. I think they’re going to be well-positioned to make a run at it.”
Week 4: Detroit Lions
Date, time and TV: Thursday, Sept. 28, 7:15 p.m., Prime.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 8.
2022 Season: Record – 9-8. Points scored ranking – 5th. Points allowed ranking – 28th.
Super Bowl odds: +2200 (ninth).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – CB Cameron Sutton, CB Emmanuel Moseley, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, G Graham Glasgow, RB David Montgomery, WR Marvin Jones Jr., RB Jahmyr Gibbs (draft), LB Jack Campbell (draft), TE Sam LaPorta (draft), S Brian Branch (draft). Subtractions – RB Jamaal Williams, WR DJ Chark, CB Jeff Okudah (trade).
History: Packers lead 103-75-7, though the Lions swept last year’s games.
Matchup note: After getting carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey by Rodgers over the years, the Lions greatly improved their secondary by signing Sutton, Moseley and Gardner-Johnson and drafting Branch. Branch was selected 45th overall, a pick acquired from the Packers, so it will be interesting to monitor the careers of Branch and Packers receiver Jayden Reed, who they selected 50th. Along with Kerby Joseph, who picked off Rodgers three times in two games, this is a legit secondary.
Week 5: at Las Vegas Raiders
Date, time and TV: Monday, Oct. 9, 7:15 p.m., ESPN.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 24.
2022 Season: Record – 6-11. Points scored ranking – 12th. Points allowed ranking – 26th.
Super Bowl odds: +5500 (21st).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Jakobi Meyers, TE Austin Hooper, LB Robert Spillane, S Marcus Epps, CB David Long, edge Tyree Wilson (draft), TE Michael Mayer (draft), WR Tre Tucker (draft). Subtractions – QB Derek Carr, TE Darren Waller, TE Foster Moreau, WR Mack Hollins, LB Denzel Perryman.
History: Packers lead 8-5, not including Super Bowl II. After that game, the Raiders won five straight. The Packers have won the last eight played over the past 32 years.
Matchup note: Not only do the Packers get the mini-bye from a Thursday game but an additional game with this on Monday. This game was supposed to be Rodgers vs. Adams – well, as much as a quarterback can face a receiver. Instead, the Packers traded Rodgers and Adams will be catching passes from Garoppolo. Adams, NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs, veteran receiver Meyers and rookie tight end Mayer provide a strong group of skill-position weapons for Garoppolo, who is 40-17 as a starter.
Week 6: Bye
Note: The Packers are 2-2 in games following their bye, including wins over the Rams in 2022 and Bears in 2021. The Packers had a Week 5 bye in 2020 but Week 13 in 2021 and Week 14 in 2022.
Week 7: at Denver Broncos
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Oct. 22, 3:25 p.m., CBS.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 28
2022 Season: Record – 5-12. Points scored ranking – 32nd. Points allowed ranking – 14th.
Super Bowl odds: +4500 (18th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – Coach Sean Payton, OT Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, DL Zach Allen, RB Samaje Perine, WR Marvin Mims (draft), LB Drew Sanders (draft). Subtractions – DT Dre'Mont Jones, G Graham Glasgow, CB Ronald Darby.
History: Packers lead 7-6-1 but the Broncos are 6-1 in The Mile High City.
Matchup note: The Broncos acquired quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade last year but failed to protect him, with Denver ranking 30th in sack percentage. So, they signed McGlinchey and Powers in free agency. Running the show and tasked with resurrecting Wilson will be former Saints coach Sean Payton, who went 152-89 with one Super Bowl victory during his 15 seasons in The Big Easy.
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Oct. 29, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 19.
2022 Season: Record – 13-4 (lost wild card). Points scored ranking – 8th. Points allowed ranking – 28th.
Super Bowl odds: +4000 (15th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – Edge Marcus Davenport, CB Byron Murphy, TE Josh Oliver, WR Jordan Addison (draft). Subtractions – WR Adam Thielen, TE Irv Smith Jr., DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Eric Kendricks, CB Patrick Peterson.
History: Packers lead 64-56-3. They won the last two at Lambeau by a combined 78-27.
Matchup note: A passing game featuring Kirk Cousins throwing to Justin Jefferson, Addison, K.J. Osborn and tight end T.J. Hockenson could be lethal. But what’s the future of star running back Dalvin Cook, who remains on the trade block, and is Alexander Mattison capable of being a lead runner? In five seasons with the Vikings, Cousins has thrown for 20,934 yards and 153 touchdowns but is 1-2 in the playoffs.
Week 9: Los Angeles Rams
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Nov. 5, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 25
2022 Season: Record – 5-12. Points scored ranking – 27th. Points allowed ranking – 21st.
Super Bowl odds: +6000 (23rd).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, G Steve Avila (draft), edge Byron Young (draft). Subtractions – CB Jalen Ramsey (trade), WR Allen Robinson (trade), edge Leonard Floyd, LB Bobby Wagner, S Taylor Rapp, S Nick Scott, CB David Long, K Matt Gay.
History: Packers lead 47-46-2. The Rams have visited Lambeau each of the last three years and lost them all, including 32-18 in the 2020 playoffs.
Matchup note: The Rams went all in and won a Super Bowl in 2021. They crashed to 5-12 in 2022, the worst record ever by a Super Bowl champion. They’ve got three of the NFL’s best with quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Unfortunately for the Rams, it’s a 53-man sport. With massive cap problems leading to a purge of quality veterans, it’s a “remodel” and not a “rebuild,” Rams GM Les Snead said.
Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Nov. 12, noon, CBS.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 21.
2022 Season: Record – 9-8. Points scored ranking – 26th. Points allowed ranking – 10th.
Super Bowl odds: +6000 (26th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – CB Patrick Peterson, LB Cole Holcomb, G Isaac Seumalo, G Nate Herbig, WR Allen Robinson (trade), OT Broderick Jones (draft), CB Joey Porter (draft), DT Keeanu Benton (draft), TE Darnell Washington (draft). Subtractions – CB Cameron Sutton, S Terrell Edmunds, LB Devin Bush.
History: Packers lead 19-16, not including their 31-25 triumph in Super Bowl XLV. In the last game at Pittsburgh, the Steelers won 31-28 in 2017.
Matchup note: The Packers drafted two tight ends but bypassed Washington, who fell due to some injury concerns. It will be interesting to track his progress vs. the careers of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Said offensive coordinator Matt Canada: “He is a giant human being that takes pride in blocking. He enjoys being a blocker. He has been quoted saying he is a sixth offensive lineman. He understands what his body can do. He is definitely a blocker. He is a really good person. Likes football. He is a huge human being.”
Week 11: Los Angeles Chargers
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Nov. 19, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 12.
2022 Season: Record – 10-7 (lost wild card). Points scored ranking – 13th. Points allowed ranking – 21st.
Super Bowl odds: +2500 (10th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, LB Eric Kendricks, WR Quentin Johnston (draft), edge Tuli Tuipulotu (draft). Subtractions – LB Drue Tranquil, LB Kyle Van Noy.
History: Packers lead 10-2, though they lost the last matchup 26-11 in 2019.
Matchup note: Justin Herbert has thrown for 14,089 yards – most by a quarterback in his first three seasons in NFL history – with 94 touchdowns. For all the numbers, he’s just 25-24 as a starter. In his playoff debut last year, the Chargers coughed up a 27-0 lead and lost to the Jaguars. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Johnston and running back Austin Ekeler form one heck of a group of skill players.
Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Date, time and TV: Thursday, Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m., Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 8.
2022 Season: Record – 9-8. Points scored ranking – 5th. Points allowed ranking – 28th.
Super Bowl odds: +2200 (ninth).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Cameron Sutton, G Graham Glasgow, RB David Montgomery, WR Marvin Jones Jr., RB Jahmyr Gibbs (draft), LB Jack Campbell (draft), TE Sam LaPorta (draft), S Brian Branch (draft). Subtractions – RB Jamaal Williams, D’Andre Swift (trade), WR DJ Chark, CB Jeff Okudah (trade).
History: Packers lead 103-75-7. At Ford Field, Detroit has won two straight, four of the last six and six of the last 10.
Matchup note: Has there been a changing of the guard in the NFC North? The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since advancing the NFC Championship Game in 1991 under Wayne Fontes. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2016. They haven’t won the division since claiming the old NFC Central in 1993. However, the offense is superb and could be elite if Gibbs is an instant star at running back and receiver Jameson Williams is a factor. Last year’s first-round pick, Williams missed most of his rookie year with a torn ACL and will serve a six-game suspension for gambling to start this season.
The Packers, by the way, are 14-20-2 on Thanksgiving. Their last Turkey Day game was a 17-13 home loss to Chicago in 2015. Their last Thanksgiving game at Detroit was played in 2013, a 40-10 blowout loss with Matt Flynn at quarterback.
Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Dec. 3, 7:20 p.m. NBC.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 2.
2022 Season: Record – 14-3 (Super Bowl champions). Points scored ranking – 1st. Points allowed ranking – 16th.
Super Bowl odds: +600 (first).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – LT Donovan Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor, edge Charles Omenihu, LB Drue Tranquill, edge Felix Anudkie-Uzomah (draft), WR Rashee Rice (draft), OT Wanya Morris (draft). Subtractions – LT Orlando Brown Jr., WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DT Khalen Saunders, edge Frank Clark, S Juan Thornhill.
History: Packers trail 8-4-1. The Chiefs won 13-7 in 2021 in what was Love’s starting debut.
Matchup note: In the marquee game of the home schedule, NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes will lead the defending champions into Lambeau Field. When the Packers beat the Rams last season, it marked the first time the Packers had hosted the reigning Super Bowl champs since beating Baltimore at Lambeau in 2001.
Mahomes is a two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP. His combined 5,608 passing and rushing yards last season set an NFL record. He’s the fastest in NFL history to 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 passing yards and ranks No. 1 all-time in passer rating.
Week 14: at New York Giants
Date, time and TV: Monday, Dec. 11, 7:15 p.m., ABC.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 14
2022 Season: Record – 9-7-1 (lost divisional). Points scored ranking – 15th. Points allowed ranking – 17th.
Super Bowl odds: +4500 (18th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – LB Bobby Okereke, CB Amari Oruwariye, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, WR Parris Campbell, WR Jamison Crowder, TE Darren Waller (trade), CB Deonte Banks (draft), C John Michael Schmitz (draft), WR Jalin Hyatt (draft). Subtractions – S Julian Love.
History: Packers lead 29-24-2. The Giants won 27-22 last year in London.
Matchup notes: GM Joe Schoen opened the vault to re-sign quarterback Danny Jones. Is Jones good enough? Who knows. But, without a quarterback, you’ve got no chance of achieving any significant success. The draft class is strong. On paper, anyway. Said Schoen: “That lasts about two days. You don't win games in April. The social media rankings and everything like that, you know, it's about what we do this fall and how we go out there and compete when it matters.”
Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Dec. 17, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 29.
2022 Season: Record – 8-9 (lost wild card). Points scored ranking – 25th. Points allowed ranking – 13th.
Super Bowl odds: +7500 (28th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – QB Baker Mayfield, RB Chase Edmonds, DT Greg Gaines, K Chase McLaughlin, DT Calijah Kancey (draft), G Cody Mauch (draft), edge YaYa Diaby (draft). Subtractions – QB Tom Brady, RB Leonard Fournette, LT Donovan Smith, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT Akiem Hicks, TE Cameron Brate, K Ryan Succop.
History: Packers lead 33-22-1. Green Bay won 14-12 at Tampa Bay last season. In the 2020 NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field, the Buccaneers survived 31-26.
Matchup note: The Buccaneers won a Super Bowl with the immortal Brady. Now, it’s time to start anew – at least on offense. The quarterback group might be the worst in the NFL with Baker Mayfield joined by Kyle Trask and John Wolford. The receiver corps of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage, on the other hand, is one of the best. The defense will keep them in games.
Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Dec. 24, noon, Fox.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 23.
2022 Season: Record – 7-10. Points scored ranking – 20th. Points allowed ranking – 19th.
Super Bowl odds: +6000 (26th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – Coach Frank Reich, RB Miles Sanders, TE Hayden Hurst, WR DJ Chark, WR Adam Thielen, S Vonn Bell, QB Bryce Young (draft), WR Jonathan Mingo (draft). Subtractions – WR D.J. Moore (trade), RB D'Onta Foreman, LB Cory Littleton.
History: Packers lead 10-6, but Carolina won on its home turf in 2015 and 2017.
Matchup note: The Panthers are starting over at coach and quarterback. The 5-foot-10 Young is incredibly small for the position but also is incredibly talented. He won the 2021 Heisman Trophy. A two-year starter at Alabana, he threw for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns. Young was the target all along, including last year, when the Panthers seemingly were on track to get the No. 1 overall pick before a late-season hot stretch. The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick in a blockbuster trade with Chicago.
“We've not won a bunch of games in the last few years,” Reich said. “So, how many years can you go? Can you keep putting off this thing to take your shot and get your guy? And part of the calculus is, do we have enough capital to be patient for another year? And then naturally, as a coach, you know, you're always optimistic. I mean, we're at (pick No.) 9 right now. I'm sure I'm not planning on being lower than that next year.”
Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
Date, time and TV: Sunday, Dec. 31, 7:20 p.m., NBC.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 19
2022 Season: Record – 13-4 (lost wild card). Points scored ranking – 8th. Points allowed ranking – 28th.
Super Bowl odds: +4000 (15th).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – defensive coordinator Brian Flores, edge Marcus Davenport, CB Byron Murphy, TE Josh Oliver, WR Jordan Addison (draft). Subtractions – WR Adam Thielen, TE Irv Smith Jr., DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Eric Kendricks, CB Patrick Peterson.
History: Packers lead 64-56-3. The Vikings are 5-2 at U.S. Bank Stadium, including wins the last two years.
Matchup note: The Packers are giving Joe Barry another chance to run a defense that has a lot of big-name talent. The Vikings, on the other hand, made a big splash by dumping maligned coordinator Ed Donatell and replacing him with highly regarded Brian Flores. Will Za’Darius Smith return to rush the passer? And will 2022 draft picks Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans factor at corner after missing big chunks of their rookie seasons with injuries?
Week 18: Chicago Bears
Date, time and TV: Date, time and TV all TBA.
SI.com Power Ranking: No. 26.
2022 Season: Record – 3-14. Points scored ranking – 23rd. Points allowed ranking – 32nd.
Super Bowl odds: +6000 (23rd).
Key additions and subtractions: Additions – WR D.J. Moore (trade), LB T.J. Edwards, LB Tremaine Edmunds, TE Robert Tonyan, G Nate Davis, DT Andrew Billings, edge DeMarcus Walker, OT Darnell Wright (draft), DT Gervon Dexter (draft), CB Tyrique Stevenson (draft), DT Zacch Pickens (draft). Subtractions – RB David Montgomery, OT Riley Reiff.
History: Packers lead 104-94-6. Green Bay has won eight in a row, 13 of 14, 17 of 19 and 23 of 26.
Matchup note: With the unofficial owner of the Bears jetting off to New York, it’s now going to be Love vs. Justin Fields. The jury is out on both quarterbacks. Fields is an electric runner but is he a winning passer? With the addition of Moore to give him a legitimate No. 1 receiver, we’ll find out. In five seasons with Carolina, Moore had 364 receptions for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns. Among all-time Bears receivers, Moore would rank first in receptions and yards.
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