The Green Bay Packers kickoff their first home game of the season today, Sunday, September 15th against the Indianapolis Colts. And, honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Last week, against the Eagles in Brazil, quarterback Jordan Love sprained his MCL. According to Ian Rapaport, the Packers have downgraded Love to doubtful and will not play against the Colts at Lambeau Field.
Even to say that Love was “questionable” on Friday’s injury report was crazy considering that most of us a week ago assumed the worst for Jordan Love’s knee. But, with Love officially out, in steps Malik Willis who Green Bay traded for 19 days ago. Willis will need the team to step up around him for the Packers to have a chance against the Colts.
There is good news of course. It just so happens that Malik Willis will also have Lambeau Field on his side.
Lambeau Field Record
Over the past three years, the Packers have had one really successful season in 2021 and two down years in 2022 and 2023. In 2021, Green Bay had a 13-4 record, was the number one seed, and won all of their eight games. The 2022 regular season wasn’t as good. The Packers record was 8-9, they missed the playoffs, but still had a 5-3 record at home. This, of course, was substantially better than their away record of 3-6. Finally, in 2023, the Packers had a 9-8 record and once again had a 5-3 record at home. This was still better than their away record.
Over the past three years, the Packers hold an 18-6 home record compared to the 12-15 away record.
So, Green Bay has maintained a 75% chance of winning at home. While on the road, the Packers have had a 44.4% chance of winning. Of course, there are other variables involved with determining whether the Packers win or lose, but the Packers simply do better at home.
Additionally, did you see the weird comparison between the Packers home record and away record?
A Lambeau Field First
So, did you notice it right away or did you go back and try to find out what I’m talking about? If you have not gone back to see what the weird thing is, then do so now. Here I’ll put a random picture of Charles Woodson right here just because so you don’t see the spoiler below it.
Did you see it?
The Packers home record over the past three years was 18-6, or 24 total regular season games. Green Bay’s away record was 12-15, which is 27 total regular season games.
So, not only have the Packers started the past several years on the road, they have also had more road games than they have had home games. The schedule makers have not been kind.
However, that will change this year. For the first time in the 105-year history of the Green Bay Packers, they will host nine home games. And, if you apply the percentages, this added home game will most likely give the Packers an additional win on the season. So, when Malik Willis takes the field at Lambeau Field, just know he has homefield advantage on his side.
Final Thoughts
So, as I mentioned last week in the “Jordan Love is Out For a Bit” article, Green Bay needs to find a way to win at least half of the games that Love is out for. And maybe it is just this one week.
It helps that two of the next three games are at home in wonderful Lambeau Field.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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