<
>

2017 Green Bay Packers game-by-game predictions

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- There’s not a lot to complain about on the Green Bay Packers' schedule. There are no three-game road stretches. There’s only one Thursday night game. The bye comes almost right in the middle. Other than perhaps the two most difficult games in Weeks 1 and 2 and a closing stretch with three of the last four on the road, it all sets up pretty well.

With that in mind, here’s a game-by-game prediction of how the 2017 season might go:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Seahawks surely haven’t forgotten the 38-10 pounding they took at Lambeau last year, and Eddie Lacy will no doubt be out to prove the Packers should have re-signed him. But the Packers haven’t opened at home since 2012 and ever since the 2014 NFC title game, they’ve had the Seahawks' number. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, at Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Packers surely haven’t forgotten the 44-21 pounding they took in the NFC title game last season, and the Falcons will be amped up to play in prime time in their brand new stadium. The Packers lost in Week 2 last year to open the new Vikings’ stadium, and they’ll suffer the same result in Atlanta’s debut in their new digs this year. Record: 1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m. ET

When the Packers lost in Cincinnati in 2013, the Bengals were in the midst of five straight playoff appearances. After missing the postseason last year, they could be on the decline. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Thursday, Sept. 28, vs. Chicago Bears, 8:25 p.m. ET

This is the third straight year the two rivals have played on a Thursday night at Lambeau Field. It was Thanksgiving night in 2015 and an October game last season. One way or another, expect a big game from Ty Montgomery. He had 10 catches against the Bears at home last year and rushed for 162 yards against them in Chicago. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET

What are the chances this game rivals last season’s NFC divisional playoff thriller the Packers won last season? It seems unlikely, especially if Ezekiel Elliott runs wild like he did in the two meetings last season when he combined for 282 yards rushing. Record: 3-2

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

The Packers almost always hit a rough patch in the schedule, and this could be it. Their offense struggled against the Vikings last year at U.S. Bank Stadium, so don't be surprised if it's a second straight loss. Record: 3-3

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

This could be the start of a winning streak, maybe not as long as the six-game "run the table" stretch they went on to close last season, but with three of the next four at home plus a bye week to get healthy there’s a chance to build some momentum. Record: 4-3

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 6, vs. Detroit Lions, 8:30 p.m. ET

Is the Packers’ pass defense any better? This game may tell us. Last year, Matthew Stafford threw for 385 yards at Lambeau and 347 yards at Ford Field. No wonder the Packers ranked 31st in passing yards allowed last season. Record: 5-3

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

The Packers have won 20 of the past 24 at Soldier Field, including the 2010 NFC title game, and many have been high-scoring affairs. The Packers have put up at least 30 in each of the last four games at Chicago. Record: 6-3

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

There’s not much history between these two teams, but the Packers have gotten the better of it, going 4-1 all time, including 3-0 at home. This one should be no different. Record: 7-3

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m. ET

A homecoming for Packers coach Mike McCarthy and a rematch of the Packers’ last Super Bowl win could be one of their toughest games if the Steelers live up their preseason billing as one of the AFC’s favorites. It’s also a matchup of the two conference championship game losers from last season. This one could end a nice winning streak. Record: 7-4

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET

It was about this time in 2014 against the Bucs when Aaron Rodgers injured his calf. Rodgers also experienced calf trouble late in the season last year. That’s about the only thing that would slow the Packers down in this one. Record: 8-4

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

Will the Browns have any wins by this point in this season? They didn’t last year. Even if they do, how in the world could they beat a contender like the Packers? Record: 9-4

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

There hasn’t been an NFC Championship Game without either the Packers (2014, 2016) or the Panthers (2015) in the past three years. There’s reason to think Carolina will rebound from last year’s disappointing season, which could make this one of the Packers’ more difficult road games. Record: 9-5

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 23, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 p.m. ET

McCarthy has pretty much owned the Vikings at Lambeau Field, going 9-2-1 including playoffs. It’s the second straight season these two teams have met in Green Bay in Week 16. Expect the same result as last year. Record: 10-5

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET

Could this be for the NFC North title for the second straight year? Both teams had clinched playoff spots before kickoff last year. They could be in the same position again with the Packers celebrating another division crown. Record: 11-5