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| At training camp. 8/6/2009 dwm |
Their extraordinary defensive player, Micah Parsons, isn't expected back until October, and whether their star running back Josh Jacobs plays or not this season is yet to be determined as of this writing. (He appears in court tomorrow, September 11, 2026.)
Several personnel moves were made by General Manager Brian Gutekunst, with an eye toward winning it all.
The 2026 schedule has the Packers playing on five of the seven days in a week, and it's possible, that their game in week 18 could make it six, if the home game with Detroit is moved to Saturday, January 9.
Coincidentally, the Packers also play on five different broadcast platforms. FOX, which traditionally shows NFC teams, has six Green Bay games. NBC gets two Sunday night games with the Packers, Amazon Prime gets Green Bay twice on Thursdays and Netflix will show a Packer game on Thanksgiving Eve, a Wednesday, and Christmas day, a Friday. CBS and ESPN only get them once, CBS has the season opener and ESPN shows the Monday Night game when Houston comes to Lambeau Field.
This season Green Bay gets a bye after ten games. In a seventeen game season, this year nine of them are at home. The seven games after the bye are travel friendly with only three road games down the stretch. And with that, here is this year's fearless forecast.
@ Minnesota CBS 9/13/2026 3:25 (time is subject to change for all games)
The Vikings are a tough team to play no matter their record. They are a divisional foe that Green Bay has played 131 times, including twice in the postseason, the Packers lead the series 67 - 61 - 3. The record indicates that more often than not the teams split the series. The Vikings have a new quarterback under center. The big question coming in for Green Bay is whether or not they can run without their usual running back and can pressure the opposing quarterback without Micah Parsons. I think their new kicker, Trey Smack, makes a difference, Packers win (1 - 0 overall, 1 - 0 division).
@ New York Jets FOX 9/20/2026 12
This is the first of two times that Green Bay is on the road in back-to-back games (weeks 12 and 13) representing half of their road games. The Jets aren't expected to contend in 2026 but often that creates a 'devil may care' attitude that can carry a team to an upset win. Of the five AFC opponents, this one should be the easiest, I expect a tight score, Packers win (2 - 0, 1 - 0)
Atlanta Falcons Prime Video Thursday 9/24/2026 7:15
It's a short turn-around from a Sunday afternoon game to playing again Thursday evening but it is better to host a Thursday game than playing on the road. The first regular season home game at night should have an extra jolt of electricity in the stadium. Atlanta had questions at quarterback coming into the season but Green Bay best not worry about that; they will need a solid defense to get this victory. Packers win (3 - 0, 1 - 0).
@ Tampa Bay FOX 10/4/2026 12
Green Bay used to face the Buccaneers twice a year when both were in the NFC Central. They own the all-time series, 33 - 23 - 1, but the last time they played, Tampa won by two touchdowns. Weather can play a role in this game, especially if it's hot. On paper, Green Bay is the favorite, I think they stumble on the bay, Packers lose ( 3 - 1, 1 - 0)
Chicago Bears FOX 10/11/2026 3:25
In 2025, the Packers played the Bears three times, losing two out of three after having a lead in the December 20th game and again in the first round of the post-season. If that isn't a lot of fuel to put on the fire, I don't know what is. Green Bay may have qualified for the play-offs three straight times, but it was 2021 the last time they won the division. Packers take a step in the right direction (4 - 1, 2 - 0).
Dallas Cowboys NBC 10/18/2026 7:20
There was speculation during training camp that Micah Parsons might be ready to play by the time his old team comes to Lambeau Field. A comment by the Packers General Manager indicated he might be ready to play sooner than six weeks into the season. A night game in Lambeau with the Dallas Cowboys, I expect them to be ready, Packers win (5 - 1, 2 - 0)
@ Detroit FOX 10/25/2026 3:25
The Packers have three wins over Detroit in their last nine games, two of those wins came last season. After missing the post-season last year, Detroit is anxious to return to the post-season and they would likely need to beat the Packers to get there. It will be a close game, I'm not sure Green Bay goes home with a W. (5 - 2, 2 - 1)
Carolina Panthers Prime Video Thursday, 10/29/2026 7:15
It's another short week after a road game; the Carolina Panthers, which won the NFC South based on a tie-breaker. This may be a team on the rise, but the Packers have their eyes set higher. Packers win (6 - 2, 2 - 1).
@ New England FOX 11/8/2026 3:25
The Packers don't play New England very often, this will be their fourth game since 2014 with the Packers winning two of the last three. Overall, which includes Super Bowl XXXI, the Packers lead the series, 7 - 6. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl last year and plan to return, Green Bay wants to get back for the first time since the 2010 season. This should be entertaining with two premier quarterbacks. The defense makes the difference, Packers win (7 - 2, 2 - 1).
Minnesota Vikings FOX 11/15/2026 12
I have tickets for this game and look forward to being in Lambeau watching the Packers. More than twenty years ago I had tickets for a December 31 game with the Vikings and there were a couple of times I went to see the Packers and Vikings play in the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome. Outside is better! It's a home game before the bye followed by two road games, so if the Pack wants a good taste in their mouth as they head out on the road, they need this win (8 - 2, 3 - 1).
Week 11 Bye
@ Los Angeles Rams NETFLIX Wednesday, 11/25/2026 7
If Green Bay is 8 - 2 after the first ten games of the season, this game is likely to factor into whether or not the Rams or Packers secure the top-seed in the National Football Conference. While Green Bay has a lethal defense, so does Los Angeles since they lured Aaron Donald out of retirement to join Myles Garrett on their defensive line. A turn-over, or lack of one, likely makes a difference here, it's a narrow win for L.A. (8 - 3, 3 - 1).
@ New Orleans FOX 12/6/2026 12
Because the Packers played Wednesday night after a bye, they also received a "mini-bye" with 10 days off between contests. This is the fifth time these teams have met since 2020 and the Packers won three of the last four and 19 of 29, all-time. Coming into the season, several pundits thought the Saints found their quarterback in the 2025 draft. If that's true, this game could be interesting, however, I say the Packers win (9 - 3, 3 - 1)
Buffalo Bills NBC 12/13/2026 7:20
Buffalo is a contender in the American Football Conference year after year thanks to their quarterback, Josh Allen, who can move the ball through the air and on the ground. Going back to 1994, the Packers and Bills have traded wins and losses through 2022 when Buffalo won the latest skirmish. This should be another fun game to watch with two elite quarterbacks moving the ball up the field. I'll take the alternating victories as a clue that it's time for a Packers victory (10 - 3, 3 -1).
Miami Dolphins FOX 12/20/2026 12
This game may feel like a reunion as the Dolphins come to visit. The Miami head coach was the Packer Defensive Coordinator a year ago. The starting QB, at least before the season started, was Green Bay's back-up quarterback. There are a lot of ties between the teams. There may be hugs and handshakes before and after the game, as long as Green Bay wins (11 - 3, 3 - 1).
@ Chicago NETFLIX Friday, 12/25/2026 12
A month after the Thanksgiving Eve game, Green Bay is playing their long-time rival at noon on Christmas. If these two teams are in a battle for the Division lead, each will need to win to make sure they win the division or at least get a top berth as a Wild Card team. I think Green Bay beats the Bears and moves closer to the NFC North title (12 - 3, 4 - 1).
Houston Texans ESPN Monday, 1/4/2027 7:15
If you have tickets to the penultimate regular season Packer game, be sure to pack your electric socks and wear your blaze orange hunting suit and sturdy boots because it is likely to be chilly in Green Bay. Some of the stories about the Frozen Tundra in Lambeau Field have lost their punch as road teams came in and beat the Packers. This game is where the team recovers it's destiny with a hard-fought, frozen solid Green Bay win (13 - 3, 4 - 1).
Detroit Lions TBD Sat. 1/9 or Sun. 1/10/2027 TBD
It's difficult to predict the final game of the season. If the team can't improve where it stands for the playoffs, it is probably worth resting injured players and keeping the starters on a short leash. It would be a shame to lose to the Lions twice in a season, but if it gets them in the best condition possible for a Super Bowl run, why not? Detroit wins (13 - 4, 4 - 2).
The Packer Fearless Forecast was complete, September 8, 2026. dwm
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