Don’t Look Now, But The NFC North Is Without A King

The long-awaited schedule release is finally here, and for Packers fans, there are a lot of games to get excited about. The Packers have the sixth-easiest schedule in the league with a .476 strength of schedule, but they are aided by having the most comfortable road schedule in the league. While most assumed the Packers would step out of the spotlight with quarterback Aaron Rodgers no longer on the team, the team will still play five primetime games this season. Here is the full Green Bay Packers 2023 schedule:

Sept. 10: @ Chicago - L

Sept. 17: @ Atlanta - W

Sept. 24: vs. New Orleans - W

Sept. 28: vs. Detroit (TNF) - W

Oct. 9: @ Las Vegas (MNF) - W

Oct. 15: BYE

Oct. 22: @ Denver - W

Oct. 29: vs. Minnesota - W

Nov. 5: vs. Los Angeles Rams - W

Nov. 12: @ Pittsburgh - L

Nov. 19: vs. Los Angeles Chargers - L

Nov. 23: @ Detroit (Thanksgiving) - L

Dec. 3: vs. Kansas City (SNF) - L

Dec. 11: @ New York Giants (MNF) - L

Dec. 17: vs. Tampa Bay - W

Dec. 24: @ Carolina - W

Dec. 31: @ Minnesota (SNF) - L

Jan. 6 or 7: vs. Chicago - W

2023 Record Prediction: 10-7

The over/under for the Packers heading into this season is 7.5. There is a world where they win less than 8 games, but it's not a hot take to suggest they find a way to slide into a wild card slot. The difficulty this year for the Packers will be playing in a competitive NFC North. Both the Bears and Lions improved in big ways over the offseason, and either team could make a real push for the division title. What the Packers have going for them is the fact that they have an easy start to the season. Eight of their first nine games are all against teams that missed the playoffs last season. Jordan Love will get to start off the season with some very beatable teams, allowing him to build some confidence before he has to face any titans.

A New NFC North

Don’t look now, but the NFC North is without a king. Last year the Vikings took the throne, but they will have some trouble keeping it. Between the four teams in the North, the Bears and Lions were the clear winners of the offseason. The Packers got worse over the past few months, losing Aaron Rodgers, but the Vikings are in a similar boat. The team lost Patrick Peterson in free agency, just traded Za'Darius Smith for peanuts, and will likely be without running back Dalvin Cook for week one.

As it stands, the Bears or Lions should be favorites to win this division. With this in mind, it's hard to imagine one of these four teams completely dominating the others. For the first time in a while, every team in the NFC North could find themselves fighting for a playoff spot come December.

Another Sluggish Week One?

The Packers will open up the season against the Chicago Bears. Green Bay has gotten off to a slow start in the past two seasons, getting blown out by the Saints in 2021 and losing in a near shutout to the Vikings in 2022. After the "I own you" narrative that Aaron Rodgers created in 2021, cheeseheads can definitely expect the Bears to play their hearts out in this season opener. Has Aaron Rodgers transferred ownership to Jordan Love, or will the Packers start their season with yet another sluggish performance?

A Quarterback of the Future

While Packers fans should manage their expectations for the team this season, it's important to note that Jordan Love won't be treated like a typical rookie quarterback. Although it's his first year as a starter, he has been learning under the guidance of a Hall of Fame quarterback for the past three years. Starter or not, a fourth year quarterback should be held to a higher standard than a rookie. The front office demonstrated their expectations by signing him to a one-year deal. If he fails to perform this year, it's difficult to imagine he'll get another opportunity.