The Green Bay Packers are about to embark on a crazy stretch of games. This isn’t just because of the opponents they are facing, but because of how the schedule has worked out. Green Bay will have three games in eleven days.
The good news: two of those games are at home. The bad news: they play the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions.
Packers Vs. 49ers
Now, wait a minute. Why would it be bad news that the Packers are playing the 49ers at home later today? Well, it seems like the 49ers just have Green Bay’s number. So, even though the 49ers are coming into Green Bay’s house without their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy and without All-Pro defensive end, Nick Bosa, I and most Packers fans won’t believe it until they see it in this one.
Yeah, Green Bay should be favored in this one. But recent history tells us not to hold our breath. Since 2009, the Packers are 6-8 against San Francisco. Since Matt LaFleur arrived, the Packers are 2-4 against the Kyle Shanahan led team. One can see why this game will always make Packers fans a bit hesitant.
However, in those 14 games against the 49ers, five of them took place in the playoffs. All five playoff games were wins by the 49ers. In regular season contests, the Packers are 6-3 against the 49ers and 2-1 since 2019. So, even though San Fran has been unbeatable for Green Bay in the playoffs, Green Bay has been winning more consistently against them in the regular season.
Green Bay has the opportunity to end the 49ers in the regular season. The Packers need to do it now or risk playing them in the playoffs where they haven’t been able to beat them in a long, long time.
Thanksgiving Day
Then you have the Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field. The Dolphins are on a two game winning streak and just barely lost to the Cardinals and Bills the two weeks prior. Ever since Tua has come back, they have been playing so much better. This has been great news for the 4-6 Dolphins who are welcoming the Patriots into their home later today.
Even at this record, the Dolphins still have a fighting chance for the playoffs and have been playing like it. This one, for the Packers, will not be an easy one. However, Green Bay will have a distinct advantage. It’s going to be cold.
This is not the type of weather that a team from Miami would be used too. So, advantage Green Bay.
Packers at Lions
And then, you have the Lions who are arguably the best team in the NFL. They are currently the 1st seed in the NFC and aren’t looking like they are going to slow down anytime soon. The Packers will need to be on their “A” game for this Thursday Night Game to have a chance to win. And they do need to win if they want to win the NFC North.
If Green Bay can find a way to win this game against the Lions, then they will have a shot to take the North. Probably a long one, but they will have a shot. The Lions will need to lose at least two (maybe even three games) and one of them needs to be against the Packers for Green Bay to have a chance.
Like I said, a long shot but it can be done.
This stretch is crazy, but it doesn’t just end with the Lion’s game. Starting with the Thanksgiving game against the Dolphins, the Packers will play four straight Prime Time games. The schedule doesn’t get any easier but if the Packers can win these next three games starting today, they will be in a good position for a playoff run.
We can only hope and watch.
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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