With summer currently essentially cancelled, we all need something to look forward too. The NFL has been that entertainment option during this time. First they held draft, then Thursday night they announced the 2020 schedule.
There is still so much uncertainty with sports coming back, when they will, will there be fans in the stands or will they play in empty stadiums, etc. The NFL and the Packers are proceeding as if the season will start on time.
The Packers will kick things off on September 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. This will be the first time in franchise history that the Packers will open a season in Minnesota. They will close the season on January 3 in Chicago.
The team will be featured in primetime 5 times. The first being in week 3 when they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints. They return the primetime in week 4 when they host the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field.
The NFL will get a Rodgers vs Brady match up this season, when the Packers travel to Tampa Bay in week 6. The team gets their bye week in week 5 before they face Brady and a brutal stretch of 4 games in 19 days. During that stretch, they are at Tampa Bay, at Houston, home vs the Vikings and conclude with a Thursday night, NFC Championship rematch against the 49ers in San Francisco. Just a brutal 4 game stretch to end the first half of the season.
In the second half of the season to team is home for 5 out of 8 games. Cold-weather games in November and December with playoff implications on the line at Lambeau Field, that is a good scenario for Matt Lafleur and Rodgers to be in.
The schedule is fairly balanced in home and away games. The Packers only play back-to-back road games once this season. The have back-to-back home games twice this season. They also go no more than 4 weeks without playing a divisional opponent.
The schedule release gives us something to look forward to and hope. If there is actually a game on September 13, strides have been made to overcome this pandemic. If this actually happens, I think every one will be elated to see football back and ratings will be through the roof.
Stay safe and healthy everyone! Go Pack Go!
Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag
