2023 Green Bay Packers schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Packers schedule. Per NFL research, Packers opponents had a 137-151-1 record in 2022, making their 2023 schedule the ninth-easiest in the league.

Circle the date: Week 1 at Chicago Bears (Sept. 10)

The start of the NFL season is always exciting, but for the Packers, it will be the beginning of the Jordan Love era as they put Aaron Rodgers in the rearview. 

And what better place to kick off Love's time at the helm than at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears? 

Without Rodgers, expectations aren't likely to be as high for the Packers around the league. However, Love can pick up where Rodgers left off by putting on a show in Week 1 against the Bears.

The Packers have defeated the Bears in eight straight games, and Love probably won't garner too much support from the Green Bay faithful if he snaps that streak on opening day. 

While the rivalry has been one-sided lately, Love could kick it up a notch if he has his coming-out party against the team Rodgers victimized for so long. 

Toughest stretch: Week 11 to Week 14 

The start of Green Bay's schedule is relatively painless, but the second half brings plenty of challenges. 

From Week 11 to Week 14, the Packers will take on three playoff teams, including the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Packers' tough stretch begins with a home contest against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in one of Green Bay's first genuine tests outside of divisional play. 

Next, the Packers will travel on Thanksgiving Day to take on the Detroit Lions, who'll likely compete for the top of the NFC North alongside the Minnesota Vikings. 

After the Lions, Green Bay will play two straight nationally televised games, hosting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a Sunday night contest before a stiff test on the road against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants on a Monday night. 

Easiest stretch: Week 1 to Week 7

If the Packers are to have a successful 2023 campaign, they'll have to get off to a hot start. Thankfully for Green Bay, the opportunity exists. 

The Packers' first six opponents failed to make the playoffs in 2022, giving Green Bay a golden opportunity to begin the season strong. 

After kicking off the season against Justin Fields and the Bears, the Packers have several winnable matchups against the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders. 

Meanwhile, they'll host the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions at Lambeau, where anything can happen. 

Finally, after an early Week 6 bye, Green Bay will travel to take on Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos, who struggled to a 5-12 finish last season.

If the Packers can find a few wins over the season's first seven weeks, they could find themselves in the playoff hunt during the second half. 

Unseen advantage: Low travel miles for Packers 

Roughly 40 percent of NFL teams will travel more than 20,000 air miles in 2023, but the Packers won't be one of them, not even close. 

Only the Cincinnati Bengals (11,942 miles) will travel less through the air than the Packers (11,956 miles) this season, which could go a long way toward keeping the team fresh during the grueling NFL season.