Moving onto the third part of this season preview, the Green Bay Packers have a late bye week this year, so they won’t see their first rest until Week 14. The four teams they face in Weeks 9-12 are all across the board in terms of talent, but they certainly shouldn’t be overlooked by the Packers.
Week 9
@ Detroit Lions
The first matchup of the season with the Detroit Lions sees Green Bay have to travel for it, marking their third consecutive away game after facing Washington and Buffalo.
The Lions are still considered one of the league’s worst teams entering the 2022 NFL season, but the type of roster development they have undertaken has put them in a great position to see their results. With players D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, Jameson Williams, Jeff Okudah, Aidan Hutchinson, and more, this roster has a ton of youth in the right places serving as building blocks for their competitive window.
Dan Campbell’s attitude and demeanor when it comes to handling a rebuilding roster have been one of the best storylines to follow over the past few seasons. The head coaching position for the Lions has been holding any sort of success back, and with Campbell buying in for the long run, they certainly will be more dangerous than what their record likely will show come Week 9.
Week 10
vs. Dallas Cowboys
Facing off against the Mike McCarthy-led Dallas Cowboys (unless they move on from him mid-season) at home certainly will make this contest must-watch TV. McCarthy should receive his fair share of cheers for helping lead this team to its most recent Super Bowl victory, even with how much disdain this fan base has for the easily-hated Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb is DAL’s WR1 with Amari Cooper in Cleveland, Dak Prescott will need to find more proven targets in the passing game, and Ezekiel Elliott will once again be counted on heavily, even if his injury history catches up with himself yet again.
Defensively, their success is heavily reliant on CB Trevon Diggs, who recorded 11 interceptions last season in his second season. This unit has some injury concerns in its LB core, so other areas will need to step up if they want to produce another top unit in ‘22.
Week 11
vs. Tennessee Titans
In their second of two consecutive home games, the Packers host the Tennessee Titans, whom they boat raced back in the snow in 2020 to the tune of 40-14 score. Gone is AJ Brown and in comes Robert Woods and rookie Treylon Burks, all the while Ryan Tannehill likely remains the starting QB.
They did also select a rookie QB in Liberty’s Malik Willis, but he does not look to be a real threat to Tannehill’s playing time in ‘22, as he needs more seasoning before taking on a starting role. The Titans finally have some sustained competition in the AFC South (with Indianapolis), so this matchup will certainly be an important one for Green Bay to get through.
Week 12
@ Philadelphia Eagles
After having played Brown’s old team, the Packers get to play Brown’s new team in the Philadelphia Eagles, an upstart team that has a ton of potential to explore on the offensive side of the ball.
Both Brown and Devonta Smith could be WR1s, so putting them and Dallas Goedert on the field at the same time will test the superb defensive secondary of Green Bay. Jalen Hurts is a big-time beneficiary of the weapons on this offense, and if he is able to string together consistent play this season, watch out.
Philly’s defense is quite middle-of-the-road, reliant on Fletcher Cox, rookie Jordan Davis, and Darius Slaw to stop their opponents. Playing in the NFC East lets them get away with not having a great defensive unit, but the Packers should be able to mostly have their way with this unit, especially if Aaron Rodgers is on his game.
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Mike Johrendt has been an avid fan of the Packers ever since he can remember. He is now a writer at PackersTalk and you can follow him on Twitter at @MJohrendt23
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