Packers’ toughest stretch in 2021 could come between Weeks 7-10
Two home games against NFC playoff teams from a year ago and two road games against likely playoff teams – including the reigning AFC champion – highlight what could be the toughest stretch of four games on the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 schedule.
Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com is identifying each team’s most challenging four-game stretch, and Weeks 7-10 were the pick for the Packers.
The stretch starts against the Washington Football Team in Week 7 on Oct. 24 and ends against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10 on Nov. 14. In between, the Packers go on the road to play the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. NFL.com’s algorithm determines that all four games are essentially coin flips, with a win probability for the Packers right around 50 percent.
The stretch does look daunting.
Washington won the NFC East in 2020 and should have a terrific defense again in 2021, led by edge rusher Chase Young. Four days after hosting Washington, the Packers have to fly out to Phoenix to play Kyler Murray, J.J. Watt and the upstart Cardinals on “Thursday Night Football,” creating a difficult logistical challenge and potentially draining physical stretch for Matt LaFleur’s team.
After a mini-bye, the Packers play a must-see game against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City before welcoming Russell Wilson and the Seahawks to Lambeau Field to finish out the four-game window.
Week 7 vs. Washington Football Team, Oct. 24
Week 8 at Arizona Cardinals, Oct. 28
Week 9 at Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 7
Week 10 vs. Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 14
Making the stretch even more difficult is what comes after. After hosting the Seahawks, the Packers have to go on the road to play the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium and then host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field. All six teams during the stretch could be legit playoff contenders.
All 32 NFL teams will play 17 games starting in 2021. The Packers open the season on the road against the Saints in New Orleans and end the year in Detroit against the Lions. LaFleur’s team has five primetime games and an NFL-high 10 games against teams that made the postseason last year. The Packers’ bye week doesn’t arrive until Week 13.
Note, the Packers are featured as a game on the toughest four-game stretch for each of the other three NFC North teams.
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What to know about Green Bay Packers 2021 schedule
